DC Teacher Applications

DCPS Teacher Applications

We are looking for talented, dynamic educators to teach where it matters most for the upcoming school year.

Teach.Lead.Build.

SY 2024-25 Teacher applications are now open!

Mid-year teacher applications for SY 2023-24 are still open. Please note that mid-year applications do not roll over.

I’m interested to learn more!

I’m not ready to apply but I’m interested in learning more about the DC teacher process, online application, and criteria.

The TeachDC Application Process

Our 2023-24 Teacher application is now available!
You can apply for a teaching position across our 116 schools.

  • Registration and Pre-Employment Questions

    Candidates will need to register an account before completing their Teacher application. Once registered, return to the Teacher application page and click "Apply". After completing the pre-employment questions, candidates will be redirected to the Candidate Dashboard to complete the rest of the application.

  • Initial Application

    Candidates will complete the rest of the Teacher application in their Candidate Dashboard. Here, candidates will answer questions about their employment history, teacher credential status, and subject area preferences. Candidates will also be asked to complete two short-answer responses.

  • Recommended Pool

    Candidates who pass through all stages of the screening process will advance to the Teacher Recommended Pool. Once here, candidates can view and indicate interest in specific vacancies. School leaders may conduct additional screenings at the school level. Please note, there are minimum eligibility requirements regarding licensure to move through the screening and hiring process. DCPS will be monitoring to ensure all staff members requiring a teaching credential receive one by March 1, 2024.

How To Complete the DCPS Teacher Application

Here is a guided walkthrough on applying to DC Public Schools for the current school year if you have not started an application yet.

If you have any other troubles or issues, please email us at teach.dcps@k12.dc.gov. Thank you!

DC Teacher Eligibility Requirements

All DCPS teachers need a valid teaching credential (license), issued by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). Please note that OSSE is a separate government agency from DC Public Schools that sets forth the credential qualifications and manages the credentialing process.

We are aware that many candidates will not have their OSSE-issued credential upon applying for a position. As such, candidates who meet the minimum eligibility criteria (see below) can still advance through the teacher screening process.

Please note that all candidates should be working toward securing their teaching credential, as candidates will not receive an official offer letter until their credential has been issued by OSSE OR until they can provide proof of submission of a completed licensure application to OSSE.

Minimum Eligibility Criteria to Advance Through Screening Process*

Candidates who meet at least one of the following conditions are eligible to advance through the teacher application screening process:

  • Passing score on the Praxis Core basic skills exams or Praxis I (reading, writing, and math) or waiver via SAT/ACT/GRE/PCMAS or cumulative 3.0 or higher undergraduate GPA
  • Active and full OSSE-issued credential or active and full license from another state 
  • Enrollment in a teacher preparation program AND proof of registration for Praxis Core basic skills exams (reading, writing, and math), proof of registration for other state-equivalent, or waiver via SAT/ACT/GRE/PCMAS or cumulative 3.0 or higher undergraduate GPA
  • At least two years of teaching experience with a rating of effective or higher as measured by a summative evaluation rating or by the student growth component of an evaluation rating AND proof of registration for Praxis Core (reading, writing, and math) or waiver via SAT/ACT/GRE/PCMAS, or cumulative 3.0 or higher undergraduate GPA.

Visit our Candidate Resources to learn more about the criteria to be selected for hire and to help guide you through the application process. For additional questions about your teacher application, please email @email.

Do I need a teaching credential to apply to teach in DCPS?

Although a license is not required to apply to teach in DCPS, consistent with governing regulations (5-A DCMR §1601.1), a valid teaching credential, issued by OSSE is required to teach in DCPS. DCPS will be monitoring to ensure that all staff members in positions requiring a license are licensed by March 1, 2024. Teachers not licensed by this date will be terminated effective the end of SY 23-24.

I want to be a teacher and have a degree, but not in education:

We have teacher residency pipeline partnerships that we maintain to help prepare recent college graduates, career changers, and outstanding paraprofessionals to be highly effective teachers in our schools. You can explore them here [insert teacher page with residency information]

Additionally, you can qualify to teach in DCPS if you meet our minimum eligibility requirements and are able to receive a DC teaching license.

I am already certified in another state and want to teach in DC:

Applicants for a DC teacher credential who hold an active full credential or license issued in another US state or territory may qualify for issuance of a DC credential based upon reciprocity. Reciprocity may only be applied during your first application for a DC educator credential. Learn more about reciprocity here.

I want to be a teacher in the District of Columbia, but don’t have a degree:

Due to credentialing requirements, all DCPS teachers must have a bachelor’s degree in order to obtain a teaching license to teach in a classroom. You can explore our application minimum eligibility requirements here.

Start the Application

Start a teacher application here, and navigate to the correct school year

for which you would like to apply. Note you must register or log in

before you can start your application.

DCPS Teacher Application FAQs

Did you already start an application?

If you have already started an application for the current school year (SY 2023-24), click here to return to the Candidate Dashboard to continue your application. For a guided walk-through on how to complete the Teacher application, click here to view our webinar. Please note that all candidates must reapply for the upcoming school year.

6 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?

I’m a current DCPS teacher looking to transfer schools

If you are a current DCPS teacher looking to transfer schools, you will be able to complete the application with your k12.dc.gov email beginning in January. For more information on completing the internal transfer process, please follow our guide here. Please note: It is required that you complete a modified version of the Teacher application, but you will not need to complete the short-answer responses or other evaluative components of our application process.

7 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?

Health and Safety

This position is a safety-sensitive position. All safety-sensitive positions are subject to mandatory pre-employment drug testing in accordance with the Child and Youth, Safety and Health Omnibus Act of 2004.  If you are tentatively selected for this position, you will be required to submit to testing for illegal drug use prior to employment, and your employment shall be contingent upon negative test results. If you are appointed into this position, you shall be subject to mandatory random drug and alcohol testing throughout your employment.