ESL (English as a Second Language) teachers play a critical role in ensuring that multilingual students have equitable access to instruction and the opportunity to meet high academic standards. To meet both state requirements and federal expectations under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), ESL teachers must demonstrate specialized preparation, certification, and ongoing professional learning.
State Certification Requirements
ESL teachers are required to hold:
- A valid state teaching certificate
- A state-issued ESL/ESOL endorsement or certification, as defined by the State Department of Education
- Completion of approved coursework in areas such as:
- Second language acquisition
- Linguistics and language development
- ESL instructional methods and assessment
- Culturally and linguistically responsive teaching
- Successful completion of state-required assessments, background checks, and licensure requirements
- Compliance with license renewal and continuing education expectations
These requirements ensure that ESL teachers are legally authorized and professionally prepared to provide language instruction and support to multilingual learners.
Alignment with ESSA
Under ESSA, districts are required to ensure that multilingual students are taught and supported by appropriately certified and qualified educators. ESL teacher qualifications align with ESSA expectations by ensuring that educators:
- Are properly certified to provide ESL services, not just experienced or trained informally
- Can deliver high-quality language instruction aligned to English Language Proficiency (ELP) standards
- Support students’ English language development and academic achievement across content areas
- Use data-informed practices to monitor language growth and instructional effectiveness
- Collaborate with classroom teachers to ensure meaningful access to grade-level curriculum
ESSA emphasizes equity, accountability, and access—making certified ESL educators essential to compliance and student success.
Certification Sites by State
| A-K | L-N | O-Z |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Department of Education http://www.alsde.edu/ | Louisiana Department of Education http://www.louisianabelieves.com/teaching/certification | Ohio Department of Education – Center for the Teaching Profession http://education.ohio.gov/ |
| Alaska Department of Education http://www.eed.state.ak.us/ | Maine Department of Education http://maine.gov/doe/cert/ | Oklahoma State Board of Education – Professional Standards http://www.ok.gov/sde/teacher-certification |
| Arizona Department of Education http://www.ade.state.az.us/ | Maryland State Department of Education http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/msde/divisions/certification/certification_branch/ | Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Division http://www.oregon.gov/TSPC/pages/index.aspx |
| Arkansas Department of Education http://arkansased.org/ | Massachusetts Department of Education http://www.mass.gov/edu/government/departments-and-boards/ese/programs/educator-effectiveness/licensure/ | Pennsylvania Department of Education www.education.state.pa.us |
| California Commission on Teacher Credentialing http://www.ctc.ca.gov/ | Michigan Department of Education http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-6530_5683_14795—,00.html | Rhode Island Department of Education http://www.ride.ri.gov/ |
| Colorado Department of Education http://www.cde.state.co.us/index_home.htm | Minnesota Teacher Licensing http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/index.html | South Carolina Department of Education http://ed.sc.gov/ |
| Connecticut State Department of Education – Division of Teaching and Learning http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/site/default.asp | Mississippi Department of Education http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/ | South Dakota Department of Education http://doe.sd.gov/oatq/teachercert.aspx |
| Delaware Department of Education www.doe.k12.de.us | Missouri Department of Education https://dese.mo.gov/ | Tennessee Department of Education http://www.state.tn.us/education/lic/ |
| Florida Department of Education – Division of Professional Educators – Educator Certification http://www.fldoe.org/edcert/ | Montana Office of Public Instruction https://opi.mt.gov/ | Texas State Board for Educator Certification http://tea.texas.gov/Texas_Educators/Certification/ |
| Georgia Department of Education http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/ | Nebraska Department of Education http://www.nebraska.gov/education/dept-ed.html | Utah State Office of Education https://secure.utah.gov/elr/welcome.html |
| Hawaii Department of Education http://doe.k12.hi.us | Nevada Department of Education http://nvteachers.doe.nv.gov/ | Vermont Department of Education http://education.vermont.gov/ |
| Idaho Department of Education http://www.sde.idaho.gov/ | New Hampshire Department of Education http://www.education.nh.gov/certification/index.htm | Virginia Department of Education – Division of Compliance www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching/licensure |
| Illinois State Board of Education http://www.isbe.net/ | New Jersey Department of Education http://www.state.nj.us/njded/educators/license | Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction http://www.k12.wa.us/cert/ |
| Indiana Professional Standard Board http://www.doe.in.gov/student-services/licensing | New Mexico Department of Education http://www.ped.state.nm.us/licensure/ | Washington DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education http://osse.dc.gov/ |
| Iowa Board of Education http://www.iowa.gov/boee/ | New York State Department of Education-Office of Teaching http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/ | West Virginia Department of Education http://wvde.state.wv.us/certification/ |
| Kansas State Department of Education http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=111 | North Carolina State Board of Education – Department of Public Instruction http://www.ncpublicschools.org/ | Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction http://dpi.wi.gov/tepdl/licensing |
| Kentucky Department of Education https://education.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx | North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board http://www.state.nd.us/espb/ | Wyoming Department of Education http://ptsb.state.wy.us/ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ESL certification?
ESL certification is a credential that qualifies an individual to teach English as a Second Language. Common certifications include TESOL, TEFL, and CELTA.
Do I need a degree to get ESL certified?
Most programs require at least a bachelor’s degree, though some entry-level TEFL programs accept individuals with an associate degree or relevant experience.
What’s the difference between TESOL, TEFL, and CELTA?
- TESOL: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, widely used in the U.S.
- TEFL: Teaching English as a Foreign Language, often used for teaching abroad.
- CELTA: Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults, a highly respected program from Cambridge University.
How long does it take to get certified?
Certification programs can range from 4 weeks (intensive CELTA) to several months (online TESOL/TEFL) depending on the course format.
Can I teach ESL without certification?
Some schools allow teaching with a bachelor’s degree, but certification is often required for most K-12 positions, adult education, or international teaching jobs.
Do ESL certifications expire?
Most TESOL/TEFL/CELTA certifications do not expire, but some states may require continuing education for teaching licenses.
Can I teach ESL online with a certification?
Yes! ESL certifications are widely recognized for online teaching platforms, which often hire teachers for all age groups worldwide.
Is experience required to get ESL certified?
Many certification programs include practical teaching practice, but prior experience is not always required. Experience can, however, help you secure better job opportunities.
How much does ESL certification cost?
Costs vary widely: online TESOL programs can be $200–$1,000, while CELTA programs can cost $1,500–$3,000.
How do I choose the right certification?
Consider your career goals, teaching location, and age group. CELTA is ideal for adult learners abroad, TESOL is common in the U.S., and TEFL is flexible for international teaching.