Teachers help students master content through a combination of direct instruction, guided group work, independent research and assessment. Some people become teachers to help share the joy of learning, encourage social justice or help kids succeed in future academic endeavors. Whatever your inspiration, completing a teacher certification program will be necessary in the vast majority of cases. Because teacher certification processes can be quite complex, it's likely that you'll have a number of questions. Understanding teacher certification information may help you decide whether seeking certification is the right choice for you.

Education
Some potential educators have questions about the level of education required to become certified teachers. Specific rules vary by state, but teachers must hold a bachelor's degree before beginning nearly all teacher credentialing programs. (An exception might be if students complete teacher credential program prerequisite classes as an undergraduate student.) Afterward, you'll spend one to two years participating in a teacher training program leading to certification -- more if your program provides additional coursework to complete an education-related master's degree. Certification programs combine academic coursework with practical, in-classroom training as a student teacher.

Exams
Common certification questions focus on exams involved with becoming a teacher. Aside from completing exams as part of your teacher training coursework, you'll most likely need to pass exams demonstrating mastery in your content area. For example, if you'd like to be a high school science teacher, you'll need to pass your state's competency exam for sciences including biology, chemistry, general science and other subjects. Because elementary school teachers instruct students in a variety of subjects ranging from history to English, special exams require candidates to demonstrate competency in numerous topics. Some school districts may ask to see your test scores during the hiring process; others require only that you've passed.

Special Certifications
Teachers sometimes want to teach special student populations, including bilingual students who speak English as a second language or students with physical, emotional or mental disabilities. If you have questions about special certifications, contact schools through which you're considering earning a teacher certification to ask whether they offer bilingual or special needs training coursework. Bilingual certifications sometimes require that you pass a written and oral exam demonstrating fluency in the language. Teaching these populations can be rewarding but very challenging; consider visiting classrooms in local schools to watch teachers and students in action.

Expiration
Some potential teachers have questions about how long their teaching credential will be valid. After completing your teacher training program, you may receive a preliminary credential. Within a given amount of time (in some states, five years) you'll need to complete additional coursework and professional teaching in order to "clear" your credential so it becomes valid for longer. In some cases, the preliminary credential becomes a lifetime credential, meaning that it won't expire. You'll still be required to complete professional development coursework and training throughout your career.