Elementary School Teacher / Missouri
2026 data Missouri board official source

Missouri Elementary School Teacher License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

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

What the Missouri data shows for Elementary School Teachers

To practice as an elementary school teacher in Missouri, the state licensing board requires board-approved training, a passing score on State Teaching Certification Exam (Praxis or equivalent). A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Missouri's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree in Education".

Upfront cost is $108, with renewal running $74 on a 5-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 150 hours of continuing education per 5-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

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

Licensing Ease Score

C
Licensing Ease Score
57/100
Elementary School Teacher · Missouri

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 D
$108
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A+
$15/yr
$74 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 Missouri

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree in Education
Not specified
Exam Requirement
State Teaching Certification Exam (Praxis or equivalent)
Required
Initial License Fee
$108
Renewal Fee
$74
Renewal Cycle
Every 5 years
Continuing Education
150 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Elementary School Teacher All Missouri licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Missouri licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Elementary School Teacher in Missouri? ▼
In Missouri, the license path calls for, a passing score on State Teaching Certification Exam (Praxis or equivalent), and a $108 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as an Elementary School Teacher in Missouri? ▼
Certification as an elementary school teacher in Missouri means clearing the state's checklist, and a passing exam score. The Missouri licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Elementary School Teacher license to Missouri 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 Missouri licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Missouri require a background check for Elementary School Teacher licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for elementary school teacher licensing in Missouri. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Elementary School Teacher in Missouri? ▼
Licensed elementary school teachers in Missouri must complete 150 hours of continuing education every 5 years. The renewal fee is $74.

Related Guides

What to do with this elementary school teacher license

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

  • See how Missouri'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 Missouri's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Missouri overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Missouri 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.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.