Secondary School Teacher / Rhode Island
2026 data Rhode Island board official source

Rhode Island Secondary School Teacher License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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

What the Rhode Island data shows for Secondary School Teachers

Rhode Island sets the entry bar for secondary school teachers at board-approved training and a passing score on State Subject Area Exam (Praxis II or equivalent). A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Rhode Island's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree plus Subject Certification".

Upfront cost is $195, with renewal running $120 on a 5-year cycle. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 150 hours of continuing education are due every 5-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

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

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
48/100
Secondary School Teacher · Rhode Island

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
$195
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A-
$24/yr
$120 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 Rhode Island

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree plus Subject Certification
Not specified
Exam Requirement
State Subject Area Exam (Praxis II or equivalent)
Required
Initial License Fee
$195
Renewal Fee
$120
Renewal Cycle
Every 5 years
Continuing Education
150 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Secondary School Teacher in Rhode Island? ▼
In Rhode Island, the license path calls for, a passing score on State Subject Area Exam (Praxis II or equivalent), and a $195 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Secondary School Teacher in Rhode Island? ▼
Certification as a secondary school teacher in Rhode Island means clearing the state's checklist, and a passing exam score. The Rhode Island licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Secondary School Teacher license to Rhode Island from another state? ▼
Secondary 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 Rhode Island licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Rhode Island require a background check for Secondary School Teacher licensing? ▼
Yes, Rhode Island requires a criminal background check as part of the secondary school teacher licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Secondary School Teacher in Rhode Island? ▼
To stay licensed as a secondary school teacher in Rhode Island, plan on 150 hours of continuing education per 5-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $120.

Related Guides

What to do with this secondary school teacher license

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

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

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