Most States have tenure laws that prevent teachers from being fired without just cause and due process. Teachers may obtain tenure after they have satisfactorily completed a probationary period of teaching, normally 3 years. Tenure is not a guarantee of a job, but it does provide some security. 358,000 Employment is distributed geographically much the same as the population. Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement All 50 States and the District of Columbia require public school teachers to be certified.
Certification is generally for one or several related subjects.
Usually certification is granted by the State board of education or a certification advisory committee. In most States, special education teachers receive a credential to teach kindergarten through grade 12. These teachers train in the specialty that they want, such as teaching children with learning disabilities or behavioral disorders. Requirements for regular certificates vary by State. However, all States require a bachelor's degree and completion of an approved teacher training program with a prescribed number of subject and education credits and supervised practice teaching.