CTE teachers in fields like engineering and nursing can receive up to 10 years of credit for verified industry experience, while teachers in other CTE fields can receive up to 5 years of credit. This policy allows professionals to have their previous industry experience count toward their salary, providing an incentive for industry professionals to enter and remain in the teaching profession.
The process includes enrolling in an accredited Educator Preparation Program (EPP) and, for some subjects, passing the Praxis Subject Test. For certain Career and Technical Education (CTE) subject areas—such as agriculture, business education, family and consumer sciences, and marketing education—teachers are required to pass the Praxis exam and hold an Academic License. The Praxis exam costs $156 per attempt. One teacher interviewed by the Education Report Committee, who had a bachelor’s degree and transitioned from an industry career, shared that they had to take the Praxis exam three times to achieve a passing score. That equates to $468 in out-of-pocket expenses and highlights a barrier that can discourage talented individuals from pursuing careers in education.
