What does teacher license mean?

A teacher license, also known as a teaching license, teaching certificate, or educator license, is an official document issued by a state or other governing body that grants an individual the legal right to teach in public schools (and sometimes private schools, depending on the jurisdiction and specific license). It verifies that the holder has met specific educational requirements, passed required examinations (like content knowledge tests and possibly teaching proficiency tests), and potentially completed a period of supervised student teaching or internship. The license specifies the grade levels and subject areas the teacher is authorized to teach. Licenses are typically renewed periodically, often requiring continued professional development. Without a valid license, an individual cannot legally teach in the designated schools within that jurisdiction.