© 2023 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR MUSIC EDUCATION. ALL

Fees (Does not account for

assessment fee (e.g., Praxis,

edTPA, etc.)

General Skills Test Content/Subject Specific Test

Pedagogical

Knowledge Yes/No Additional Coursework Available More information can be found at:

Alabama P-12 Music,

Choral Music

P-12 Music,

Instrumental

Music

Professional Educator in

three classes: Class B

(Bachelor’s); Class A

(Master’s); Class AA (Post-

Master’s); Initial

certificates in

each class valid for 5 years

Alabama Educator

Certification Testing

Program: Basic Skills

Assessment

first, which measures

competency in reading,

writing, and mathematics.

Praxis I: Core Academic

Skills for Educators (CASE)

Praxis II: Music Content Knowledge

(5113)

None edTPA Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework

$30 application

$46.90 fingerprinting (in-

state)

$54.90 fingerprinting (out-of-

state)

Yes https://www.alabamaachieves.org

/teacher-center/teacher-

certification/alternative-

certificates/

https://www.alabamaachieves.org/teacher-

center/teacher-certification/

Alaska Music K-12 Initial (2-3 year)

Professional (5-year)

Master (10-year)

Praxis I: Core Academic

Skills for Educators (CASE)

or other approved exam

Praxis II: Music Content Knowledge

(5113) or Music Content and

Instruction (5114)

None No Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework; Approved

Alaska Studies and

Multicultural/Cross-Cultural

Communication Courses;

Mandatory training on sexual

abuse, suicide, dating

violence, and alcohol and drug

related disabilities (see

website)

$200 application

$60 fingerprinting

Yes https://education.alaska.gov/teach

ercertification/certification/typem

https://education.alaska.gov/teachercertific

ation

Arizona Music PK-12 Provisional (3-year)

Standard (12-year)

None Subject Knowledge: Music (NT504)

Exam (AEPA/NES)

Professional

Knowledge Exam

(AEPA/NES) -

Elementary

Education, (NT051) or

Secondary Education,

(NT052).

No Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework for

Educator Certification:

Deficiency Removal

1)Ethics - Take a

college/university course or

Board-approved traning;

2)Arizona Constitution and

U.S. Constitution - Take a

college/university course or

the test (AZ033)

$60 application

$67 fingerprinting

$20 Deficiency Removal

Yes https://www.azed.gov/node/2712

https://www.azed.gov/educator-

certification/

Arkansas Music K-12

Instrumental

Music K-12

Vocal

Provisional (5-year)

Standard (5-year) Lifetime

Praxis I: Core Academic

Skills for Educators (CASE)

Praxis II: Music Content Knowledge

(5113)

Praxis Principles of

Teaching & Learning:

K-6, 5-9, or 7-12

edTPA Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework

$75 application

$39.75 fingerprinting &

background (Coming Soon

via website)

Yes https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offi

ces/educator-

effectiveness/pathways-to-

licensure

https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/educ

ator-effectiveness/educator-licensure

%20effectiveness/becoming-a-teacher-or-

school-leader/routes-to-teacher-

licensurepreparation

California Music K-12,

including

preschool and

classes

organized

primarily for

adults

Single Subject

Preliminary/Level I (5-

year)

Single Subject Clear/Level

II (5- year)

One of the following: Cali

Basic Educational Skills Test

(CBEST), California Subject

Examinations for Teachers

(CSET): Writing Skills,

California State University

(CSU) Early Assessment

Program (EAP), or CSU

placement

examinations

California Subject Examinations for

Teachers (CSET): Music

None edTPA, CalTPA, or Fresno

Assessment of Student

Teachers (FAST)

Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework; CSET

content exam; Reading

instruction course; Developing

English Language Skills;

U.S. Constitution course or

exam; Computer technology

course

$100 initial application $100

renewal fee

$50 certificate of clearance

Fingerprinting varies

Yes https://www.ctc.ca.gov/credential

s/req-credentials

https://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/req-

credentials

Colorado Music K-12 Initial (3-year)

Professional (5-year)

Master (7-year)

None Praxis II: Music (Grades K-12) (5113) None No Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursewor; 24

semester hours of specific

coursework as outlined on the

worksheet provided

$90 application (in-state)

$110 application (out-of-

state)

$18 Identity History

Summary Check

Yes https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdepr

of/altteacheroverview

http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprof

Connecticut Music PK-12 Initial Educator Certificate

(3-year) Provisional

Educator Certificate (8-

year)

Professional Educator (10-

year)

None Praxis II: Music Content & Instruction

(5114)

None edTPA, but requirement is

ending July 1, 2024

Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework

$50 application,

Fingerprinting varies, Official

transcripts

Yes https://ohe.ct.gov/ARC/ https://portal.ct.gov/sde/certification/burea

u-of- certification

Delaware Music K-12 Initial (4-year)

Continuing (5-year)

Advanced (10-year)

Praxis I: Core Academic

Skills for Educators (CASE)

Praxis II: Music Content Knowledge

(5113)

None No Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework

$100 first time application Yes https://www.doe.k12.de.us/Page/

3495

https://www.doe.k12.de.us/certification

District of Columbia

Columbia

Instrumental &

Vocal

P-12

Performing Arts

– Music P-12

Initial (3-year)

Standard (4-year)

Praxis I: Core Academic

Skills for Educators (CASE)

or passing scores on ACT,

SAT, or GRE

Praxis II: Music Content

Knowledge (5113)

Praxis Principles of

Teaching & Learning:

Early Childhood, K-6, 5-

9, or 7-12

No Yes Possible additional testing

and/or

coursework

$50 application

$18 fingerprinting

Yes https://osse.dc.gov/ed-credentials https://osse.dc.gov/page/teacher-

certification

2023 Analysis of State Music Education Certification Practices in the United States (as of June 8, 2023)

State

Certificate Age

Levels and

Subject Areas

Levels and Length of

Certification

Testing Requirements

Teacher Performance

Assessment

Reciprocity Alternate Path to Licensure State Certification Website (see also

https://www.nasdtec.net/page/State_Dire

ctory_Map)

Florida Music K-12 Temporary (3-year)

Professional (5-year)

Florida Teacher

Certification Examinations

(FTCE): General Knowledge

Test (GK)

Florida Teacher Certification

Examinations (FTCE): Subject Area

Knowledge (Music K-12)

Florida Teacher

Certification

Examinations (FTCE):

Professional

Education Test (PEd)

No Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework

$75 application

$24 Florida Criminal History

Record Check

Fingerprint background

screening - Applicants may

incur a fingerprint

processing fee, applicable

retention fees and/or

additional costs assessed by

individual school districts

and livescan service

providers.

Yes https://www.fldoe.org/teaching/pr

eparation/

https://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certificatio

Georgia Music P-12 Induction (5-year)

Performance-Based

Professional Certification

(5-year)

Standard Professional

Certification (5-year)

Advanced or Lead

Professional (5- year)

Georgia Assessments for

Certification (GACE): Basic

Skills

Georgia Assessments for

Certification (GACE): Music Content

Assessment

None No

edTPA

Yes Identifying and Educating

Exceptional

Children, Georgia Educator

Ethics Assessment

$20 application

No fingerprinting required

unless applicant has been

convicted of a misdemeanor

or felony in another state

Yes https://www.gapsc.com/Certificati

on/TieredCertification/provisional.

aspx

https://www.gapsc.com/ProspectiveEducat

or/P

rospectiveEducator.aspx

Hawaii Music K-12 Provisional (3-year non-

renewable)

Standard (5-year)

Advanced (10-year)

Praxis I: Core Academic

Skills for Educators (CASE)

Praxis II: Music Content

Knowledge (5113)

None No Yes Possible additional testing

and/or

coursework

None Yes https://hawaiiteacherstandardsbo

ard.org/content/permits-and-

license-types/

https://hawaiiteacherstandardsboard.org/c

ontent/permits-and-license-types/

t/permits-and-license-types/

Idaho Music 5-12

Music K-12

Initial (5-year) Standard (5-

year)

None Praxis II: Music Content Knowledge

(5113)

None No Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework; Idaho

Comprehensive

Literacy Course

$75 application

$28.25 fingerprinting

Yes https://www.sde.idaho.gov/be-an-

educator/files/non-trad/Non-

Traditional-Routes-Summary.pdf

https://www.sde.idaho.gov/cert-

psc/cert/index.html

Illinois Music PK-12 Professional (5-year) None Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS):

Music

None edTPA (required again

starting on January 2024)

Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework; Cross-

Categorical Special Education

Methods; Reading Methods:

Reading in the Content Area;

ESL/Bilingual Methods.

$100 application (in-state)

$150 application (out-of-

state)

$10 annual registration fee

per region or county

Yes https://www.isbe.net/Pages/ELAlt

ernativeLicense.aspx

https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Educator-

Licensure.aspx

Indiana Instrumental

Music P-12 or 5-

Vocal & General

Music P-12 or 5-

Initial Practitioner (2-year)

Practitioner (5-year)

Accomplished Practitioner

(10- year)

Practice Core Academics

Skills for Educators Test

Praxis I, or master’s

degree

Praxis -> Music: Vocal & General

Knowledge (5116); Music:

Instrumental & General Knowledge

(5115)

Praxis Principles of

Teaching & Learning:

Early Childhood, K-6, 5-

9, or 7-12

No Yes CPR/AED Certificate, Suicide

Prevention Certificate

$35 for each Educator

License or Permit

$35 for an Evaluation (Out-of-

State, Non-US Graduates,

and Alternative Certification

Paths)

$15 for a Substitute Permit

Yes https://www.in.gov/doe/educators

/educator-licensing/alternative-

licensure-paths/

https://www.in.gov/doe/educators/educato

r-licensing/

Iowa Music K-8 Music

5-12

Initial (2-year)

Regional Exchange (2-year)

Standard (5-year)

Master Educator (5-year)

Praxis I: Core Academic

Skills for Educators (CASE)

Praxis II: Music Content Knowledge

(5113)

Praxis Principles of

Teaching & Learning:

Early Childhood, K-6, 5-

9, or 7-12

edTPA Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework

$85 application (in-state)

$145 application (out-of-

state)

$75 fingerprinting

Yes https://boee.iowa.gov/enter-

teaching-profession-iowa

https://boee.iowa.gov/licenses/you-begin

Kansas K-12 Choral

K-12

Instrumental K-

12 Vocal

Initial (2-year) Professional

(5-year) Accomplished (10-

year)

Core Academic Skills for

Educators

Praxis II: Music Content Knowledge

(5113)

Praxis Principles of

Teaching & Learning:

Early Childhood, K-6, 5-

9, or 7-12

No Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework

$60 Initial application,,

adding endorsement, or

upgrade to professional

$70 out of state/country

application,, renew

professional license

$85 accomplished

application

$50

fingerprinting/background

check

Yes https://www.ksde.org/Agency/Divi

sion-of-Learning-Services/Teacher-

Licensure-

TL/Postsecondary/Educator-

Preparation/Restricted-Teaching-

License-Alternative-Pathway

https://www.ksde.org/Agency/Division-of-

Learning-Services/Teacher-Licensure-and-

Accreditation

Kentucky P-12 Integrated

Music

P-12

Instrumental

Music P-12

Vocal Music

Initial

Professional (5-year)

Praxis I: Core Academic

Skills for Educators (CASE)

Praxis II: Music Content & Instruction

(5114)

Praxis II: Principles of

Teaching & Learning K-

6, or 5-9, or 7-12

No Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework

$85 application Yes http://www.epsb.ky.gov/mod/pag

e/view.php?id=29

http://www.epsb.ky.gov/mod/page/view.p

hp?i d=29

Louisiana Instrumental K-

12 Vocal K-12

Level 1 (3-year)

Level 2 (5-year)

Level 3 (5-year)

Out-of-State (3-year, non-

renewable)

None Praxis II: Music Content Knowledge

(5113)

Praxis II: Principles of

Teaching & Learning –

K-6,

5-9, or 7-12

No Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework

$50 application Yes https://louisianabelieves.com/teac

hing

https://louisianabelieves.com/teaching

Maine Music K-12 Provisional (2-year)

Professional (5-year)

Praxis I: Core Academic

Skills for Educators (CASE)

Praxis II: Music Content Knowledge

(5113)

If candidate has not

completed a state-

approved teacher

preparation program,

they are required to

take Praxis Principles

of Teaching &

Learning:

K-6 or 7-12

No Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework; Teaching

exceptional students in the

regular classroom

$100 application

$55 fingerprinting

Yes https://www.maine.gov/doe/cert https://www.maine.gov/doe/cert

Maryland Music PK-12 Standard Professional I & II

(5- year)

Advanced Professional (5-

year)

Praxis I: Core Academic

Skills for Educators

(CASE) *Those teacher

candidates who submit a

minimum overall GPA of 3.0

on their most recently

earned degree are not

required to submit a basic

skills assessment

Praxis II: Music Content & Instruction

(5114)

None edTPA Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework

$10 processing fee Yes https://marylandpublicschools.org

/about/Pages/DEE/Program-

Approval/MAAPP.aspx

http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/abo

ut/P ages/DEE/Certification/index.aspx

Massachusetts Music

Vocal/Instrumen

tal/ General

All levels

Initial (5-year) Professional

(5-year)

Massachusetts Tests for

Educator Licensure (MTEL):

Communication

& Literacy Skills

Massachusetts Tests for Educator

Licensure (MTEL): Music

None No Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework; MTEL

exams only

$100 application Yes https://www.doe.mass.edu/news/

news.aspx?id=26780

http://www.doe.mass.edu/licensure/

Michigan Music PK-12 Standard (5-year)

Professional (5-year)

Advanced Professional (5-

year)

None Michigan Test for Teacher

Certification (MTTC): Music Education

(099)

None No Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework

$160 Standard Teaching

Certificate (in-state)

$210 Standard Teaching

Certificate (out-of-state/out-

of-country)

Other fees:

https://www.michigan.gov/

mde/services/ed-serv/ed-

cert/cert-

guidance/application-fees

Yes https://www.michigan.gov/mde/s

ervices/ed-serv/ed-cert/cert-

guidance/becoming-a-

teacher/alternative-routes-to-

teacher-cert-or-endorsement

https://www.michigan.gov/mde/Services/e

d-serv/ed-cert/cert-guidance

Minnesota Instrumental/Cla

ssroom Music K-

Vocal/Classroom

Music K-12

Tier I: 1-year, renew 3

times Tier II: 2-years,

renew 3 times

Tier III: 3-years, renew

indefinitely Tier IV: 5-

years, renew indefinitely

NES Essential Academic

Skills

Minnesota Teacher Licensure Exams:

Instrumental Music or Vocal Music

Minnesota Teacher

Licensure Exams:

Pedagogy Test

(Elementary or

Secondary)

edTPA Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework; Human

Relations

$90.25 initial application

(includes fingerprinting and

processing fee)

$57 existing license holders

Yes https://mn.gov/pelsb/aspiring-

educators/portfolio/

https://mn.gov/pelsb/

Mississippi Music Vocal K-

12 Music

Instrumental K-

Class A Educator License

(Bachelor, 5-year)

Class AA Educator License

(Master, 5-year)

Class AAA Educator

License (Specialist, 5-year)

Class AAAA Educator

License (Doctorate, 5-year)

Praxis I: Core Academic

Skills for Educators (CASE)

Praxis II: Music Content Knowledge

(5113)

Praxis Principles of

Teaching & Learning:

K-6, 5-9, or 7-12

No Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework

None Yes https://www.mdek12.org/OTL/OEL

/Alternate

https://www.mdek12.org/OEL

Missouri Instrumental

Music K-12

Vocal Music K-

Initial Professional (IPC; 4-

year) Career Continuous

(lifetime) Provisional (2-

year) Temporary (1-year

renewable)

Missouri Educator Gateway

Assessments: General

Education

Assessment (MoGEA

Reading, Writing,

Mathematics)

Missouri Educator Gateway

Assessments: Music Instrumental &

Vocal

None MEES for Teacher

Candidates

Yes In most cases, a Missouri

certificate is issued with no

further coursework or test

requirements.

$100 processing for out-of-

state certificate holders.

Finger prints/background

check

$41.75 fingerprinting

Yes https://dese.mo.gov/educator-

quality/certification/routes-

certification

https://dese.mo.gov/educator-

quality/certification

Montana Music K-12 Class 5 Provisional (1-3

years); Class 1

Professional/Masters

Degree (5-year); Class 2

Standard (5 years)

None Praxis II: Music Content Knowledge

(5113)

None No Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework; Online

course: An Introduction to

Indian Education for

All in Montana

$36 initial fee, $30 renewal Yes https://opi.mt.gov/Educators/Lice

nsure/Educator-

Licensure/Educator-

Licenses#9389210446-class-5-

provisional-teaching-licenses

http://opi.mt.gov/Educators/Licensure/Bec

ome

-a-Licensed-Montana-Educator

Nebraska Music K-12 Initial (5-year) Standard (5-

year) Professional (10-

year)

(Offers several new

permits as of 6/2020)

Praxis I: Core Academic

Skills for Educators (CASE)

Praxis II: Music Content & Instruction

(5114)

None No Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework; Human

Relations Training; Special

Education Training

$75 application (all schools)

$55 application (non-public

schools)

$50 fingerprinting

Yes https://www.education.ne.gov/tce

rt/teaching-certificates/teaching-

alternative-permit/

https://www.education.ne.gov/tcert/

Nevada Music K-12;

Secondary

Instrumental

Music 7-12;

Secondary Vocal

Music 7-12

Standard (5-year)

Professional (6-10 year),

Retiree (10 year)

Praxis I: Core Academic

Skills for Educators (CASE)

Praxis II: Music Content & Instruction

(5114)

Praxis Principles of

Teaching & Learning:

K-6 or 7-12

No Yes No additional coursework $180 new application

$150 license renewal

$50 additional

endorsements

$30 license extension;

[Discount for

Veterans/Spouses]

Yes https://doe.nv.gov/Educator_Effec

tiveness/Educator_Develop_Suppo

rt/Educator_Preparation/ARL_Can

didates/

http://www.doe.nv.gov/Educator_Licensure

New Hampshire Music K-12 Beginning Educator (3-

year) Experienced

Educator (3-year) Master

Teacher Certificate (3 -

year)

Praxis I: Core Academic

Skills for Educators (CASE)

Comparable test

Praxis II: Music Content Knowledge

(5113)

None No Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework

$130 application Yes https://nhdoepm.atlassian.net/wik

i/spaces/CHD/pages/194019372/Si

te-

Based+Licensing+Plan+SBLP+Overv

iew

https://nhdoepm.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/

CHD/overview

New Jersey Music PreK-12

(all grades)

Students graduating from

a teacher preparation

program receive a CEAS

certificate (Certificate of

Eligibility with Advanced

Standing)

These two certificates

come after a student has

been given a position in a

district:

Provisional (2-year)

Standard (lifetime)

Praxis I: Core Academic

Skills for Educators (CASE)

Adequate SAT, ACT, or GRE

scores

Praxis II: Music Content Knowledge

(5113)

None edTPA Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework

$190 Yes https://www.nj.gov/education/cer

tification/cte/alternate.shtml

https://www.nj.gov/education/license/

New Mexico Specialty PK-12

with

endorsement in

performing arts

with a

concentration:

Music

Level I (3-5 years) Level II

(9 years) Level III (9 years);

advancement requires

portfolio/admin support-

could not confirm is this is

necessary

Praxis Principles of Learning

and Teaching: K-6 OR 7-12

Praxis II: Music Content Knowledge

(5113)

No Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework

$150 application

$59 fingerprinting $120

Renewal

Yes https://webnew.ped.state.nm.us/b

ureaus/licensure/alternative-

licensure-programs-opportunities/

https://webnew.ped.state.nm.us/bureaus/li

cens ure/

New York Music PK-12 Initial (5-year) Professional

(5-year)

None Content Specialty Test (CST) New York

State Teacher Certification

Examinations (NYSTCE)

Educating All Students

(EAS)

Multi-measure teacher

performance assessment

determined by approved

teacher prep programs

Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework;

Harassment, Bullying, and

Discrimination Prevention and

Intervention, Child Abuse

Identification, Dignity For All

Students Act

$50 based on completion of

a New York State approved

program

$100 using all other

pathways.

$101.75 fingerprinting

Yes https://www.highered.nysed.gov/t

cert/certificate/teachalt.html

https://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certi

ficate/

North Carolina Music K-12 Professional Educator’s

Initial License (3-year)

Professional Educator’s

Continuing

License (5-year)

None Praxis II: Music Content & Instruction

(5114)

None edTPA or PPAT

(https://simbli.eboardsolu

tions.com/Policy/ViewPoli

cy.aspx?S=10399&revid=jS

eCLc9PRq7Wq5r2Zj95og%

3d%3d&ptid=muNUlKiR2js

Xcslsh28JpBkiw%3d%3d&s

ecid=Yplr2aPOayt25gDrHo

IoNw%3d%3d)

Rubric 4.0 (depending on

the institution/

district)

Yes EPP Program, Exam;

"Residency Liscense"

$30-$70 Yes https://www.dpi.nc.gov/educators

/educator-preparation/alternative-

preparation-pathways

https://www.dpi.nc.gov/educators/educato

rs-licensure

North Dakota Music PK-12 Initial In-State (2-year)

Two-year Renewal

First Five Year License (5-

year) Other State Educator

License (2-5 year)

30-year Life License

Praxis I: Core Academic

Skills for Educators (CASE)

Praxis II: Music Content Knowledge

(5113)

Praxis: Principles of

Learning and Teaching

5-9 or 7-12

No Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework

$75 Initial License Fee

$30 Initial Application fee

$44.50 Fingerprinting

$130 5 year or 30 year

license

Yes https://www.nd.gov/espb/licensur

e/alternate-access-license

https://www.nd.gov/espb/licensure

Ohio Music PK-12 Resident Educator License

(2-year) Professional (5-

year) One-Year-Out-of-

State

None Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE)

Content Knowledge Assessment:

Music

Ohio Assessments for

Educators (OAE):

Assessment of

Professional

Knowledge Multi-Age

(PK-12)

Successful completion of a

National Teacher

Performance Based

Assessment approved by

ODHE will be accepted as

an alternative to the

written Assessment of

Professional Knowledge

Exam

2020

Yes None $80 application (2-year

resident educator license)

$200 application (5-year

professional license)

Fingerprinting varies

Yes https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/

Teaching/Licensure/Resident-

License-Options

https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Teaching

Oklahoma Music PK-12 Standard (5-year) Praxis Performance

Assessment for Teachers

(PPAT)

Oklahoma Subject Area Test (OSAT):

Instrumental/General or

Vocal/General

None (replaced by the

PPAT as of 09/2021)

No Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework; Oklahoma

Exams

$50 application

$58.25 fingerprinting

Yes https://sde.ok.gov/oklahoma-

alternative-placement-program-

teacher-certification

https://sde.ok.gov/traditional-path-

oklahoma-teacher-certification

Oregon Music PK-12 Preliminary (3-year)

Professional (5-year)

Teacher Leader (5-year)

None Oregon Educator License

Assessments (ORELA): Music

None edTPA Yes Possible additional testing

and/or

coursework; Civil Rights Exam;

Other ORELA Exams

$182 eLicensing Fee

$73.50 fingerprinting

Yes https://www.oregon.gov/tspc/LIC/

Documents/First%20License%20Te

aching.pdf

https://www.oregon.gov/tspc/LIC/Pages/d

efault.aspx

Pennsylvania Music PK-12 Level I (determined by

service time)

Level II (Lifetime)

Instructional Teacher

Intern (3 years; alternative

route)

Waived, July 8, 2022

through July 8, 2025

Praxis II: Music Content Knowledge

(5113)

None PDE-430 Student Teacher

Assessment

Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework

$200 application (in-state)

$260 application (out-of-

state)

Yes https://www.education.pa.gov/Ed

ucators/Certifi

cation/BecomeAnEducator/Intern/

Pages/default. aspx

https://www.education.pa.gov/Educators/C

ertif ication/Pages/default.aspx

Rhode Island Music PK-12 Initial (3-year) Professional

(5-year) Advanced (7-year)

None Praxis II: Music Content Knowledge

(5113)

Praxis Principles of

Teaching & Learning:

K-6 or 7-12

No Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework

$100 application Yes https://ride.ri.gov/teachers-

administrators/educator-

certification/paths-certification

https://ride.ri.gov/teachers-

administrators/educator-certification/paths-

certification

South Carolina

Carolina

Music Education

PK-12

Music

Education:

Choral PK-12

Music

Education:

Instrumental PK-

12 Music

Education: Piano

PK-12

Music

Education:

Strings PK-12

Music

Education: Voice

Initial (3-year)

Professional (5-year)

Alternative Route (1-year,

may be renewed for 3

additional years upon

continued employment

and successful teaching)

Praxis Core Academic

Skills for Educators (CASE)

Praxis II: Music Content &

Instruction (5114)

Praxis Principles of

Teaching & Learning:

Early Childhood, K-6, 5-

9, or 7-12

edTPA, PPAT, or PLT Yes Possible additional testing $105 Yes https://ed.sc.gov/educators/altern

ative-certification/programs/

https://ed.sc.gov/educators/teaching-in-

south-

carolina/

South Dakota K-8 Elementary

Music, 5-8

Secondary

Music, K-12

Vocal Music

K-12

Instrumental

Music

Professional License (1-5

years) Advanced License

(5+ years)

None Praxis II: Music Content Knowledge

(5113)

Praxis Principles of

Teaching & Learning:

Early Childhood, K-6, 5-

9, or 7-12

No No South Dakota Indian

Studies Course, Suicide

Awareness and Prevention

Training

$25-$60 Yes https://doe.sd.gov/certification/Alt

CertRoutes.as px

https://doe.sd.gov/certification/

Tennessee Music K-12

Instrumental/Ge

neral Music K-12

Vocal/General

Practitioner (3-year plus 1

year renewal) Professional

(7-year)

None Praxis II: Music Content & Instruction

(5114) OR Instrumental (5114) OR

Vocal (5116)

Praxis Principles of

Learning and

Teaching: K-6, 5-9, OR

7-12

edTPA score of 40 or

above

Yes None Not listed Yes https://www.tn.gov/education/ed

ucators/licensing/licensing-

faq.html

https://www.tn.gov/education/educators/li

censing.html

Texas Music EC-12

Standard (5-year)

Texas Higher Ed

Assessment (THEA)

Texas Examination of Educator

Standards (TExES) Music EC-12

Texas Examination of

Educator Standards

(TExES) PPR EC-12

No Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework

$75 application (in-state)

$160 application (out-of-

state)

$39 fingerprinting

Yes https://tea.texas.gov/texas-

educators/preparation-and-

continuing- education/becoming-a-

certified-texas-educator-

through-an-alternative-

certification-program

https://tea.texas.gov/texas-

educators/certification/initial-certification

Utah Music K-12 Professional Educator

License (5- year); Levels

offered with additional

graduate degrees

None Music: Content Knowledge (5113) None No Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework; Educator

Ethics, Special Education Law

and Instruction, Classroom

Management and Instruction,

and Utah Effective Teaching

Standards

$75 application Yes http://www.teachutah.org/get-

certified

http://www.teachutah.org/get-certified

Vermont Music K-12 Level I (3-year) Level II (5-

year)

Praxis I: Core Academic

Skills for Educators (CASE)

Praxis II: Music Content & Instruction

(5114)

None No Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework

$50 application fee; $150

certification fee; $13.25

fingerprinting

Yes https://education.vermont.gov/ed

ucator-

licensure/become-a-vermont-

educator/alternative-route

https://education.vermont.gov/educator-

licensure

Virginia Music PK-12

Instrumental

Music PK-12

Vocal/Choral

Provisional (3-year)

Collegiate Professional (5-

year) Postgraduate

Professional (5-year)

Virginia Communication &

Literacy Assessment (VCLA)

Praxis II: Music Content Knowledge

(5113)

None No Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework: Child

Abuse and Neglect

Recognition and Intervention

Training; Emergency First Aid,

CPR, and AED Training;

Dyslexia Awareness, Behavior

Intervention and Support

Training; Cultural Competency

Training; Special Education

Training.

$100 application (in-state)

$150 application (out-of-

state)

Yes https://law.lis.virginia.gov/adminc

ode/title8/age

ncy20/chapter23/section90/

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching/licen

sure

Washington General Music K-

12 Choral Music

K-12

Instrumental

Music K-12

Residency (5-year)

Professional (5-year)

Washington Educator Skills

Test (WEST-B OR WEST-E)

General: NES exam

Choral and Instrumental:

Washington Educator Skills Test (WEST-

None edTPA Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework

$94 initial residency

application

$51 processing fee

$81 residency renewal

$43 fingerprinting

Yes https://www.pesb.wa.gov/pathwa

ys/alternative-routes-to-teacher-

certification/

https://www.k12.wa.us/certification

West Virginia Music PK-Adult Professional (5-year) Praxis I: Core Academic

Skills for Educators (CASE)

Praxis II: Music Content Knowledge

(5113)

Praxis Principles of

Teaching & Learning:

Early Childhood, K-6, 5-

9, or 7-12

edTPA Yes Possible additional testing

and/or coursework

$35 initial application Yes https://wvde.us/certification/certif

ication-info/application-forms/

https://wvde.us/certification/certification-

info/

Wisconsin Licenses are

based on grade

ranges and the

teacher

preparation

program (ex.

UW-Madison

issues PK-12

music)

Provisional (3-year)

Lifetime Educator

(background check every 5

years)

Master Educator (National

Board Certification req.)

Determined by the Wisconsin

educator program. University chooses

one of the following:

Praxis II: Music Content Knowledge

(5113)

GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale

A content portfolio

None edTPA Yes Possible additional testing

and/or

coursework

$125 application (in-state)

$175 application (out-of-

state)

$23.75 fingerprinting

Yes https://dpi.wi.gov/licensing/pathw

ays-

licensure/teachers#Alternative%20

Route%20Pat hway

https://dpi.wi.gov/licensing

Wyoming Music K-6, 5-8, 6-

12, K-12

Standard (4-year) None Music Content Praxis (5113) None No No Possible additional testing

and/or coursework; Wyoming

Constitution

$175application (in-state)

$225 application (out-of-

state)

$50 fingerprinting

Yes https://wyomingptsb.com/licensur

e/becoming-

licensed/#1520379111014-

2f99bdff-459c

https://wyomingptsb.com/

NOTE: Updated from the 2020 music teacher certification data (collected by May, Decker, Willie, Worthen, & Pehrson) by doctoral students in music education at the University of Missouri, Columbia, MO under the direction of Dr. Wendy Sims (Mary Shields, major contributor, assisted by Apinporn Chaiwanichsiri, Allison Davis, Ruoxi Deng, Austin