Licensure applications, OAE tests, and Education Interview Day

To become a licensed and/or endorsed teacher in Ohio’s schools, a person must successfully complete required licensure tests — the Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE). The passing score for all OAEs is 220. For additional information about teacher licensure, visit https://sboe.ohio.gov/educator-licensure.   To confirm the OAE tests you need for your license and register for the tests, visit the Ohio Assessments website.   The Otterbein Education Department provides students with access to an OAE test preparation platform called 240 Tutoring, which helps students prepare for the OAE teacher licensure tests.

Out-of-State Teacher Licenses
Because states determine their own teacher education programs, licensure may differ from state to state. It is the duty of the student to see that the special requirements of states other than Ohio are met. See Otterbein’s Professional Licensure Disclosure page at https://www.otterbein.edu/about/sara/professional-licensure-disclosures/ Information on licensure may be obtained from each state department of education’s division of teacher education and certification.

Teacher licensure is simplified in many states through Interstate Reciprocity Agreements and on graduation from institutions accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) or the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Most states require  passage of teacher competency tests prior to licensure. See https://www.teachercertificationdegrees.com/reciprocity/ 
Students planning to teach in another state should consider also obtaining their Ohio teaching license.  (See https://www.teachercertificationdegrees.com/reciprocity/)

Policy and time limit on applying for teaching licensure
If a licensure candidate does NOT apply for a teaching license at the time they graduate from Otterbein, they must adhere to the following guidelines.

The time limit for all candidates to apply for a teaching license is 2 years from degree completion.  If the licensure requirements are completed after degree completion, the time limit is 2 years from the date of completion of the final licensure requirement (e.g., an OAE test).

Candidates wishing to complete a program license after the two-year limit will be required to take additional course work, to be determined by the Department Chair, based on an updated transcript review.

A request for an exception to this rule must be submitted in writing to the Teacher Education Committee, attention: Gaby Miller (gmiller@otterbein.edu), Education Department Administrative Coordinator.

Job Search Assistance—Center for Student Success and Career Development 
The Otterbein Center for Student Success and Career Development (SSCD) provides a menu of services including resume-building, cover letter writing, practice interviews, and job search assistance. In addition, staff will advise students on assembling a strong credential file, the collection of documents that support your application (transcripts, letters of reference, test scores, etc.). All students will prepare and manage their own credential file.

All student teachers are required to attend an orientation session at the SSCD or at the student teaching seminar to learn about the job search process. Each spring semester, the Department of Education and SSCD hosts an Education Interview Day for future educators in which students may register and attend interviews with regional school districts. For more information, go to https://www.otterbein.edu/sscd/.