2026 data Hawaii board official source

Hawaii Secondary School Teacher License Requirements

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

Instructs students in grades 7-12. Requires state teaching certificate.

What the Hawaii data shows for Secondary School Teachers

Becoming a licensed secondary school teacher in Hawaii means clearing a defined set of hurdles: board-approved training, a passing score on State Subject Area Exam (Praxis II or equivalent), plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Hawaii regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree plus Subject Certification".

The initial price tag is $205, and renewal costs $126 every 5 years. Maintaining the license requires 150 hours of continuing education per 5-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: State-specific — NASDTEC agreements between some states.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
47/100
Secondary School Teacher · Hawaii

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
$205
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A-
$25/yr
$126 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 Hawaii

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree plus Subject Certification
Not specified
Exam Requirement
State Subject Area Exam (Praxis II or equivalent)
Required
Initial License Fee
$205
Renewal Fee
$126
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 Hawaii licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Secondary School Teacher in Hawaii?
In Hawaii, the license path calls for, a passing score on State Subject Area Exam (Praxis II or equivalent), and a $205 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Secondary School Teacher in Hawaii?
To become a licensed secondary school teacher in Hawaii, you must meet the state's requirements. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Hawaii licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Secondary School Teacher license to Hawaii from another state?
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for secondary school teachers: State-specific — NASDTEC agreements between some states. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Hawaii licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Hawaii require a background check for Secondary School Teacher licensing?
Background screening is part of the secondary school teacher licensing process in Hawaii. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Secondary School Teacher in Hawaii?
Licensed secondary school teachers in Hawaii must complete 150 hours of continuing education every 5 years. The renewal fee is $126.

What to do with this secondary school teacher license

Secondary School Teacher in Hawaii, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a secondary school teacher-wide, 50-state comparison.

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

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