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The Louisiana Department of Education, Division of Teacher Certification, Preparation, and Recruitment, implements all teacher certification procedures. If you want to become a physical education teacher in Louisiana, you must complete a number of steps:
 | Complete an Approved Teacher Preparation Program |
 | Complete the Appropriate PRAXIS Examinations |
 | Apply for and Maintain Teacher Certification |
Physical education teachers must provide quality physical education programs that emphasize participation in physical activity over a lifetime. Quality physical education in Louisiana is recognized not as a specific curriculum or program, but a philosophy that emphasizes:
- Building student confidence in their physical abilities
- Having fun
- Influencing moral development by providing students with opportunities to cooperate with others, accept responsibility for their behavior, and assume leadership
- Integrating classroom content into the physical education curriculum
- Intensive instruction in the motor and self-management skills needed to enjoy a wide variety of physical activity experiences
- Keeping all students engaged in skill practice
- Providing students with the knowledge and tools to achieve their own level of physical fitness
Step 1. Complete an Approved Teacher Preparation Program
There are two routes to teacher certification in Louisiana: through the completion of a traditional program or alternative certification program:
Traditional Certification
You can earn your teacher certification in Louisiana by achieving a bachelor of arts of science in an approved teacher preparation program. These programs include general education courses, a certification area focus, professional education, one semester of student teaching or internship, and at least 180 hours of field experience.
You can view information about Louisiana’s Approved Educator Preparation Program providers here, or view a printable chart of all state-approved providers, program areas, and contact information here. Louisiana has a number of K-12 traditional teacher preparation programs in physical education.
Alternative Routes to Certification
If you possess a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university or college, but you do not have the required education courses and experiences required for certification, you may pursue one of Louisiana’s three alternative routes to certification, which include:
The Master’s Degree Program is a program that leads to a master’s degree and teacher certification.
To qualify for this program, you must possess a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university with a minimum GPA of 2.5. You must also pass the PRAXIS Pre-Professional Skills Test (Praxis I) or have a minimum ACT composite score of 22 or an SAT combined verbal and math score of 1030. Approved program providers can be found here.
The Practitioner Teacher Program serves as a streamlined path to certification, as it combines intensive coursework with full-time teaching. Approved providers can be found here.
To qualify for this program, you must possess a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university with a minimum GPA of 2.5. You must also pass the PRAXIS Pre-Professional Skills Test (Praxis I) or have a minimum ACT composite score of 22 or an SAT combined verbal and math score of 1030, and you must pass the PRAXIS II in your content area (physical education).
The Certification-Only Program is a more flexible program that is designed for individuals who do not want to pursue a full-time course of study or pursues a master’s degree/
To qualify for this program, you must possess a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university with a minimum GPA of 2.5. You must also take and pass the Professional Skills Test (Praxis I) or have a minimum ACT composite score of 22 or an SAT combined verbal and math score of 1030, and you must pass the PRAXIS II in your content area (physical education). Approved providers can be found here.
Teach Louisiana has a number of resources for learning more about teacher certification in Louisiana. You may also view a chart that details your options concerning alternative certification programs.
Step 2. Complete the Appropriate PRAXIS Examinations
Depending on the program requirements for certification, you may need to take and pass:
- PRAXIS I Pre-Professional Skills Test in reading, writing, and mathematics
- Principles of Learning and Teaching (must take exam for grades K-6, 5-9, or 7-12)
- Physical Education: Content Knowledge
Information on PRAXIS exams in Louisiana, including upcoming testing dates, testing centers, and the registration process, can be found here.
Step 3. Apply for and Maintain Teacher Certification
To access the application for teacher certification (Practitioner License PL1), you must create an account with Teach Louisiana. The PL1 certificate is valid for one year and can be renewed for up to three years, provided you have completed your renewal requirements and remain in the Practitioner Teacher Program.
Upon completion of at least three years of employment on the PL1 certificate and complete the Louisiana Teacher Assistance and Assessment Program before you can qualify for the Level 2 professional certificate. To renew a Level 2 certificate, you must also complete at least 150 continuing learning units over a 5-year period
Upon completion of a master’s degree and at least 5 years of experience teaching physical education, you may be eligible to advance to the Level 3 professional certificate in Louisiana.
You can contact Certification, Preparation, and Recruitment at 1-877-453-2721 or [email protected] if you have any questions regarding the certification process in Louisiana.
The Louisiana State Physical Education Standards, which are based on the National Physical Education Standards (which were developed by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education), are not state mandated, nor do they promote a predetermined course; instead, physical education teachers in Louisiana are encouraged to create their own physical education curriculum to help their students meet a number of goals, which include:
- Achieving and maintaining a health-enhancing level of physical fitness
- Applying movement techniques to the development of motor skills
- Demonstrating an understanding and respect for differences among people in physical activity settings
- Demonstrating competency in many movement forms and proficiency in a few movement forms
- Demonstrating responsible personal and social behavior in physical activity settings
- Exhibiting a physically active lifestyle
- Understanding that physical activity provides opportunities for self-expression, social interaction, challenge, and enjoyment
Phys Ed Teacher Salary in Louisiana
Information published by the Louisiana Workforce Commission indicates that the physical education teacher salary in Louisiana is, on average, $55,199. Also, the average salary among PE teachers in the Baton Rouge region is $59,537.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that PE teachers in the top 25% statewide average $59,570 per year and that those in the top 10% average $71,200 per year. It’s not uncommon for new graduates to start out in a lower pay bracket, although it usually doesn’t take much time to advance upward in the pay steps. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the bottom 10% of salaries statewide is $16,840 and that the bottom 25% of salaries is $21,170.