2026 data Delaware board official source

Delaware Elementary School Teacher License Requirements

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

Instructs students in grades K-6. Requires state teaching certificate.

What the Delaware data shows for Elementary School Teachers

Delaware's path to elementary school teacher licensure runs through board-approved instruction and a passing score on State Teaching Certification Exam (Praxis or equivalent), plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. Delaware folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree in Education".

Upfront cost is $154, with renewal running $99 on a 5-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 150-hour continuing-education requirement per 5-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

On reciprocity, elementary school teachers should know: State-specific — NASDTEC agreements between some states.

Licensing Ease Score

C-
Licensing Ease Score
51/100
Elementary School Teacher · Delaware

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training N/A
N/A
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$154
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A
$20/yr
$99 every 5 years
Continuing Education F
30.0 hrs/yr
150 hours every 5 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Delaware

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree in Education
Not specified
Exam Requirement
State Teaching Certification Exam (Praxis or equivalent)
Required
Initial License Fee
$154
Renewal Fee
$99
Renewal Cycle
Every 5 years
Continuing Education
150 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Delaware licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Elementary School Teacher in Delaware?
Delaware requires, passing an exam (State Teaching Certification Exam (Praxis or equivalent)), and an initial fee of $154. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as an Elementary School Teacher in Delaware?
Certification as an elementary school teacher in Delaware means clearing the state's checklist, and a passing exam score. The Delaware licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Elementary School Teacher license to Delaware from another state?
Elementary School Teacher licenses generally reciprocate as follows: State-specific — NASDTEC agreements between some states. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The Delaware licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Delaware require a background check for Elementary School Teacher licensing?
A criminal background check is mandatory for elementary school teacher licensing in Delaware. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Elementary School Teacher in Delaware?
Licensed elementary school teachers in Delaware must complete 150 hours of continuing education every 5 years. The renewal fee is $99.

What to do with this elementary school teacher license

Elementary School Teacher in Delaware, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in an elementary school teacher-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Delaware's elementary school teacher requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Elementary School Teacher in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state elementary school teacher license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Delaware's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Delaware overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Delaware licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.