2027 Education Degree Licensure Outcomes Report: Pass Rates, Barriers, and Career Impact
Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist
Choosing an education degree is also a licensing decision: in most U.S. public schools, teachers must hold a state credential before leading a classroom. BLS data shows the median annual wage for education, training, and library occupations was $59,940, so licensure can affect both job access and earnings potential.
This guide is for future teachers, career changers, and graduate students comparing programs. You will learn how pass rates are reported, why candidates get delayed, what costs to expect, and how to judge whether a program's licensure pathway supports your career goal.
Key Things You Should Know
- Licensure is usually required for public school classroom teaching, but earning an education degree is not the same as becoming licensed, candidates must also meet state approval, clinical experience, exam, background check, and application requirements.
- First-time pass rates show how well a program prepares candidates before remediation, while overall pass rates may include retakes and can make outcomes look stronger than they are.
- Licensure can expand eligibility for teacher-of-record jobs, salary schedules, endorsements, and interstate mobility, but costs, retakes, placement delays, and state-specific rules can affect ROI.
- Is Professional Licensure Required for Education Degree Careers?
- How Do Education Degree Graduates Qualify for Professional Licensure?
Is Professional Licensure Required for Education Degree Careers?
Professional licensure is usually required when an education graduate wants to become a teacher of record in a public K-12 school. States may call the credential a teaching license, certificate, certification, or educator credential, but the function is similar: it confirms that the candidate has completed an approved preparation pathway and met state standards for classroom practice.
Licensure matters most for roles where the educator is legally responsible for instruction, assessment, classroom management, and student safety. It may be optional or unnecessary for some education-adjacent roles, especially in private schools, tutoring, curriculum support, training, childcare administration, educational technology, and nonprofit learning programs.
The table below separates common education career goals by how directly they depend on licensure. This distinction helps readers avoid the common mistake of assuming every education degree leads to the same employment rights.
| Career goal | Typical licensure need | What the degree must usually include | Decision factor |
| Public elementary, middle, or high school teacher | Required in most cases | State-approved educator preparation, student teaching, content/pedagogy exams, background check | Verify that the program is approved for the state and grade level you want |
| Special education teacher | Required in most public school settings | Approved special education pathway, supervised fieldwork, subject and disability-area requirements | Check endorsement coverage and whether additional tests are required |
| School counselor, principal, or administrator | Usually required | Graduate degree, educator license, supervised experience, leadership or counseling exams | Confirm prerequisites, especially prior teaching experience |
| Private school teacher | Varies by employer and state | Education degree may be enough, but licensure can improve competitiveness | Ask employers whether state certification affects pay or hiring priority |
| Instructional designer, tutor, trainer, or curriculum assistant | Often not required | Degree, portfolio, subject knowledge, technology skills | Licensure may not justify the time and cost unless you want public school access |
Students comparing licensed career paths should treat education like other regulated fields: program approval, exam eligibility, and state rules matter as much as course convenience. For example, readers looking at healthcare pathways such as fast track LPN programs online will see a similar principle: an online or accelerated format is only useful if it satisfies the licensing authority that controls entry to practice.
How Do Education Degree Graduates Qualify for Professional Licensure?
Most education graduates qualify for licensure by completing a state-approved educator preparation program and then applying through the state education agency. The exact sequence varies, but the major checkpoints are consistent enough that students can use them to compare programs before enrolling.
The process below shows the usual pathway from degree selection to license issuance. It is especially important for online, transfer, and career-change students because one missing approval or field placement can delay eligibility.
- Choose a state-approved educator preparation program aligned with the grade band, subject area, and endorsement you want.
- Complete required coursework in pedagogy, child development, classroom assessment, inclusive practice, and subject-specific teaching methods.
- Finish supervised clinical experiences, which may include early field observations, practicum hours, and full-time student teaching.
- Pass required exams, which may include basic skills, content knowledge, pedagogy, reading instruction, performance assessment, or state-specific tests.
- Complete background checks, fingerprinting, mandated reporter training, and any state-required ethics or child safety modules.
- Apply to the state licensing agency, submit transcripts and program verification, and pay application fees.
A strong program should be able to tell you exactly which license its graduates are eligible to pursue. If admissions staff can only say that the degree is "designed for educators" but cannot identify the state credential, grade level, endorsement, and exam sequence, that is a red flag.
Eligibility is not only about graduation. State agencies often require official program verification, so transfer credits, alternative clinical placements, or out-of-state online enrollment must be approved before they count toward licensure.
Licensure exam pass rates are one of the clearest outcome signals available, but they are easy to misread. A pass rate tells you how many test-takers passed a required exam during a reporting period, not how many admitted students completed the program, found teaching jobs, or earned a license on time.
The most important distinction is first-time versus overall pass rate. First-time pass rates show whether candidates are prepared before retakes and remediation; overall pass rates show whether candidates eventually clear the testing requirement after one or more attempts.
The table below explains the pass-rate terms that prospective students should ask every education program to define. Using the same definitions prevents unfair comparisons between schools.
| Outcome measure | What it means | Why it matters | Limitation |
| First-time pass rate | Share of candidates who pass the exam on their first attempt | Best indicator of initial preparation quality | Can look unstable when the number of test-takers is small |
| Overall pass rate | Share of candidates who pass after all reported attempts | Shows whether candidates eventually meet the requirement | May hide retake costs, delays, and remediation needs |
| Program pass rate | Pass rate for candidates from one preparation provider | Useful for comparing programs in the same state and exam area | Not always comparable across states because tests and cut scores differ |
| State pass rate | Pass rate for candidates taking the same state-required exam | Provides a benchmark for whether a program is above or below local norms | May combine different program types and candidate backgrounds |
| Title II pass-rate reporting | Federally required reporting for teacher preparation providers | Creates a public accountability source for educator preparation outcomes | Definitions, reporting thresholds, and test participation can limit apples-to-apples comparisons |
A useful pass-rate review should always include cohort size. For example, a very high pass rate based on a handful of candidates is less reliable than a similar rate based on a large, consistent cohort. Ask whether the rate includes only program completers, all enrolled candidates who attempted the test, first-time test-takers, or repeat test-takers.
Also ask about pass rates by exam area. A program may have strong elementary education outcomes but weaker secondary math, special education, reading, or English learner endorsement results. The best comparison is not simply "Which school has the highest pass rate?" but "Which program has strong outcomes for the exact license I need?"
The most common licensure barriers are not always academic failure. Many candidates are delayed by exam sequencing, field placement shortages, unclear state rules, documentation problems, or financial strain from repeated fees.
The table below identifies barriers that can affect both time to licensure and total cost. Use it as a risk checklist when comparing programs.
| Barrier | How it affects candidates | What to ask before enrolling |
| Failed licensure exam attempt | Adds retake fees, study time, and possible graduation or hiring delays | What are first-time and repeat-attempt pass rates for my exam? |
| Missing state approval | Can prevent the program from recommending the graduate for licensure | Is this program approved for my intended state and endorsement? |
| Clinical placement delays | May postpone student teaching and program completion | Who secures placements, and what happens if a site is unavailable? |
| Background check or ethics issue | Can delay or block licensure depending on state rules | When should I complete fingerprinting and disclosure reviews? |
| Out-of-state online enrollment | May create conflicts between home-state requirements and provider-state approval | Does the program meet requirements where I plan to teach? |
| Documentation errors | Can slow license processing even after graduation | Who submits program verification and transcripts? |
| Unplanned costs | Can make retesting, travel, substitute teaching, and application fees harder to manage | What is the estimated total licensure cost beyond tuition? |
Several red flags deserve special attention because they often appear late in the process, when switching programs is expensive. Watch for these issues before signing an enrollment agreement.
- The school advertises "licensure preparation" but does not name the exact license, endorsement, and state approval pathway.
- Published pass rates do not separate first-time attempts from overall attempts.
- The program will not disclose test-taker counts, reporting years, or exam-specific outcomes.
- Online students must find their own student teaching placements without formal approval support.
- Admissions materials focus on degree completion but say little about license application, testing, or state recommendation.
Good exam preparation starts before the final semester. Candidates who wait until student teaching is nearly complete may discover too late that they need additional content review, reading instruction practice, or performance-assessment support.
The steps below provide a practical sequence for reducing exam risk. They are especially useful for candidates balancing work, online coursework, or alternative certification timelines.
- Identify every required exam for your intended license, including content, pedagogy, reading, basic skills, and performance assessments.
- Ask your program for the recommended testing calendar and the latest point at which each exam must be passed to continue student teaching or apply for licensure.
- Take a diagnostic practice test early enough to identify content gaps before paying for the official exam.
- Use program-aligned review materials rather than generic study guides when state standards or test frameworks are highly specific.
- Build retake time into your graduation and hiring timeline, especially if your state requires a waiting period between attempts.
- If you fail, request a score report review and remediation plan instead of immediately retaking the same exam with the same study method.
- Keep receipts, score reports, and testing confirmations because some programs and districts require documentation.
Retakes should be treated as a manageable risk, not a sign that the career path is over. The key is to avoid repeated attempts without feedback. A strong remediation plan should identify the failed competency areas, connect them to targeted coursework or tutoring, and set a realistic retest date.
Students should also ask whether exam preparation is included in tuition or charged separately. A program with slightly higher tuition but embedded diagnostics, faculty coaching, and placement support may be more cost-effective than a lower-cost program that leaves candidates to pay for repeated tests and outside preparation.
Education licensure is state-controlled, so requirements can differ even when two states use similar exams or participate in interstate agreements. Reciprocity can help licensed teachers move across state lines, but it rarely means automatic, immediate, or identical licensure.
Many states offer a pathway for out-of-state licensed teachers, but candidates may still need additional exams, coursework, background checks, teaching experience, or state-specific training. This is why students should plan for the state where they intend to teach first, not simply the state where the college is located.
The table below shows how state rules can affect common student situations. It helps clarify when portability is likely to be straightforward and when extra verification is needed.
| Student situation | Main licensure risk | Best verification step |
| In-state student attending an in-state approved program | Usually lower risk, but exam and background rules still apply | Confirm the program's approval status with the state education agency |
| Online student living outside the provider's state | Home-state requirements may not match provider-state approval | Get written confirmation of eligibility for the state where you plan to teach |
| Career changer entering alternative certification | May need employment sponsorship, mentoring, or provisional licensure | Ask whether the pathway leads to a full standard credential |
| Licensed teacher moving to another state | May need extra tests, coursework, or temporary licensure | Review the receiving state's out-of-state educator application rules |
| Candidate seeking multiple endorsements | Additional exams or coursework may be required | Confirm each endorsement separately, not just the base license |
Students considering programs outside education can learn from other professional fields where online degrees and state licensure must be checked together. For instance, PharmD online programs also require careful attention to state licensure, experiential requirements, and board expectations; education candidates should apply the same level of scrutiny.
The safest approach is to document every licensure answer in writing. Save emails from admissions, program directors, and state licensing offices, especially if you are enrolling across state lines or planning to relocate after graduation.
The total cost of education licensure includes more than tuition. Candidates may pay for exams, background checks, fingerprinting, application fees, study materials, travel to testing sites, and unpaid or reduced-paid student teaching time.
Fee schedules vary by state and test provider, but these are common cost categories candidates should budget for before enrollment. Prices should be verified with the state licensing agency and exam provider because fees can change.
- Licensure exams: commonly about $50 to $210 per exam, depending on the test type and provider.
- Performance assessment: some states or programs may require assessments that can cost several hundred $, depending on the requirement.
- Background check and fingerprinting: often about $40 to $100.
- State license application: often about $30 to $200.
- Test preparation materials or tutoring: can range from no-cost program resources to several hundred $ for paid preparation.
- Retake costs: usually repeat the exam fee and may add waiting time before the next attempt.
Time to licensure depends on the pathway. A traditional bachelor's degree generally takes about four years, while a post-baccalaureate or master's licensure pathway may take one to two years if prerequisites, clinical placements, and exams are completed on schedule. Alternative certification can move faster in some states, but it may require employment in a partner district and ongoing mentoring.
The hidden cost is often time, not just fees. A failed exam, delayed student teaching placement, or missing state approval can postpone a first teaching contract by a semester or school year. That delay can have a larger financial effect than the exam fee itself.
When estimating ROI, compare the full licensure pathway with alternative education and health-related career routes, not just tuition. Students researching salary outcomes in adjacent fields may find resources such as master in health information management salary useful for understanding how credentials, experience, and labor market demand interact across regulated and non-classroom careers.
Licensure affects career outcomes mainly by expanding access. In public schools, a standard teaching license is often required for teacher-of-record roles, district salary schedules, tenure-track or continuing contract eligibility, and many leadership pathways.
BLS wage data shows that the median annual wage for education, training, and library occupations was $59,940. That figure includes a broad mix of licensed and nonlicensed roles, so it should not be read as a guaranteed teacher salary; instead, it shows that education careers can carry meaningful earnings potential when aligned with credential requirements and local pay scales.
The table below compares how licensure changes access across common career outcomes. It is designed to help readers decide whether the licensing effort fits their intended role.
| Outcome area | With professional licensure | Without professional licensure |
| Public school classroom access | Eligible for standard teacher-of-record roles when state and district requirements are met | May be limited to aide, substitute, tutor, paraprofessional, or temporary roles |
| Salary schedule placement | More likely to qualify for district salary lanes tied to licensure, degree level, and experience | Pay may depend on hourly, contract, or noncertified staff structures |
| Endorsements and specialization | Can add areas such as special education, reading, ESL, math, or administration when requirements are met | May need additional schooling or licensure before moving into regulated specialties |
| Mobility | Can pursue out-of-state licensure pathways, though extra requirements may apply | May have fewer portable credentials for public school teaching |
| Advancement | Often required for department chair, mentor teacher, instructional coach, counselor, or administrator pathways | Advancement may be stronger in training, curriculum support, edtech, or private-sector roles |
Licensure is not a guarantee of employment or higher pay. District budgets, subject-area demand, geographic location, union contracts, degree level, and experience all influence compensation. However, for candidates whose goal is public school teaching, the absence of licensure can block access to the very jobs that make the education degree valuable.
The strongest ROI case usually appears when a student chooses a state-approved program, passes exams without major delays, enters a district with clear salary progression, and uses the credential to add high-need endorsements or advance into leadership over time.
An education degree can still be useful without a teaching license, but the career options change. Nonlicensed graduates often need to compete through experience, subject expertise, technology skills, portfolios, or employer-specific training rather than state certification.
The table below summarizes realistic nonlicensed pathways. These roles may suit graduates who enjoy education but do not want classroom licensure, or who need immediate work while completing exams or state applications.
| Career option | Typical setting | How an education degree helps | Licensure note |
| Paraprofessional or teacher assistant | Public or private schools | Supports classroom instruction, behavior support, and small-group learning | May require district or state paraprofessional qualifications, but not full teacher licensure |
| Substitute teacher | School districts | Provides classroom familiarity and helps build local school experience | Requirements vary widely by state and district |
| Tutor or learning specialist | Tutoring companies, nonprofits, private practice | Uses instructional planning, assessment, and subject knowledge | Licensure may improve credibility but is not always required |
| Instructional designer | Corporate training, higher education, edtech | Applies learning theory, assessment design, and curriculum development | Portfolio and software skills may matter more than teacher licensure |
| Curriculum assistant or education program coordinator | Publishers, museums, nonprofits, community programs | Supports lesson design, program delivery, and learner engagement | Employer requirements vary |
| Childcare or early learning administrator | Preschools, childcare centers, community organizations | Provides knowledge of child development and family engagement | State childcare licensing rules may apply separately from teacher licensure |
Students should avoid treating nonlicensed roles as automatic fallback options. Some offer strong career fit, but others may pay less, offer fewer benefits, or provide less advancement than licensed teaching. If your long-term goal is to lead a public school classroom, use these roles strategically while finishing exams and licensure paperwork.
If you are unsure whether licensure is worth it, compare three scenarios: licensed teaching, nonlicensed education roles, and a different credential path. Include tuition, unpaid clinical time, exam costs, likely job access, and the local salary schedule for the districts where you would actually work.
Accreditation and state approval influence whether a degree can actually lead to licensure. Institutional accreditation matters for credit transfer, graduate admission, and federal financial aid, while state educator preparation approval determines whether the program can recommend graduates for a specific teaching credential.
Program quality also affects pass rates indirectly. Strong programs align coursework with state standards, provide early testing guidance, place candidates in supervised classrooms, and monitor candidates who need remediation before student teaching or licensure exams.
The table below summarizes quality signals that are more useful than reputation alone. These indicators help prospective students separate licensure-ready programs from degrees that may be educationally valuable but not credential-eligible.
| Quality factor | What to verify | Why it affects licensure outcomes |
| State approval | The program is approved for your intended state, grade level, subject, and endorsement | Without approval, graduates may not be eligible for standard licensure |
| Clinical placement support | The school arranges or formally approves fieldwork and student teaching sites | Placement delays can postpone graduation and license application |
| Exam alignment | Courses map to required content, pedagogy, reading, or performance exams | Misalignment can increase retake risk |
| Transparent outcomes | The program publishes pass rates, completion rates, and employment indicators when available | Transparency helps students assess risk before paying tuition |
| Remediation system | Candidates receive diagnostics, tutoring, practice exams, and retake planning | Support can reduce the cost and time impact of failed attempts |
| Online-state authorization | Online candidates can complete requirements in their home state | Online convenience does not automatically mean licensure eligibility |
Online education degrees can be a good fit when they are state-approved and have reliable local placement arrangements. They are risky when the provider cannot confirm whether fieldwork, testing, and recommendation rules match the student's state.
Students interested in physical education, health education, or movement science should pay close attention to endorsement alignment. A program list such as the best online kinesiology programs may be useful for exploring related academic options, but licensure-seeking students still need to confirm teacher preparation approval separately.
Other Things You Should Know About Education
No. A degree may satisfy part of the requirement, but licensure usually also requires state-approved program completion, clinical experience, exams, background checks, and a formal state application.
Ask for first-time pass rates, overall pass rates, test-taker counts, reporting years, and results for your specific license area. First-time rates are especially useful because they show how well candidates are prepared before retakes.
Yes, if the online program is approved for licensure in the state where you plan to teach and can support required fieldwork or student teaching. Always confirm state eligibility in writing before enrolling.
It depends on your goal. Licensure is usually worth considering if you want public school classroom access, salary schedule eligibility, endorsements, or leadership pathways. If you prefer tutoring, training, edtech, or curriculum support, a nonlicensed route may be more practical.
See What Experts Have To Say About Studying Education
Read our interview with Education experts
Alan J. Singer
Education Expert
Professor of Teaching, Learning and Technology
Hofstra University
Nooshan Ashtari
Education Expert
Professor & Book Author
University of Southern California
- Licensure Tests as Barriers to the Profession https://www.nasbe.org/licensure-tests-as-barriers-to-the-profession/
- Licensure Pass Rates: Undergraduate & Graduate Programs https://www.mc.edu/academics/departments/education/praxis-pass-rates
- Elusive Data Show Teaching Candidates Fail Licensing Exams in Huge Numbers – The 74 https://www.the74million.org/article/elusive-data-show-teaching-candidates-fail-licensing-exams-in-huge-numbers/
- Lowering the bar https://www.americanexperiment.org/magazine/article/lowering-the-bar/
- Testing Deserts: A Hidden Barrier to Teacher Licensure https://praxis.ets.org/tomorrows-teacher/testing-deserts.html
- NCTQ sheds light on Ohio teacher licensure exams https://fordhaminstitute.org/ohio/commentary/nctq-sheds-light-ohio-teacher-licensure-exams
- Best AI research assistant | AnswerThis https://app.answerthis.io/shared/how-does-socio-economic-status-affect-educational-
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