Hawaii Teacher Licensure Guide for Online Master's Students

Who Licenses Teachers in Hawaii, and Which Exams Does It Use?

Hawaii licenses teachers through Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, and the exams it requires are the Praxis tests from ETS.

For the programs themselves, the online master's in education programs at universities in Hawaii are ranked at the in-state price, and the national and specialty lists cover schools in other states.

How Do I Get a Hawaii Teaching License With an Online Master's?

An online master's leads to a Hawaii teaching license only when HTSB counts the program as state-approved, because any educator preparation program the board has not approved is defined as out-of-state. A new teacher then starts on the Provisional License, valid three years and not renewable, for under three years of full-time teaching in the last five.

With three or more of those years, the Standard License lasts five years and renews. Our elementary education and secondary education rankings rest on federal figures that do not record HTSB approval.

Which Exams Does Hawaii Require for Teacher Licensure?

Hawaii requires Praxis exams for teacher licensure from out-of-state program completers: Praxis Core, the Principles of Learning and Teaching and a content test, with Core covering reading, writing and mathematics. World Language candidates may submit ACTFL scores instead.

Scores reach HTSB only if you give ETS state code 8620 and your Social Security number. HTSB accepts passing scores from the last five years, and takes older ones case by case. An applicant with an out-of-state license may use home-state tests to show basic skills and content knowledge.

Can I Transfer a Teaching License to Hawaii From Another State?

A teaching license can be transferred to Hawaii from another state through Option C of the Standard License, which accepts a valid, unrevoked standard or equivalent license first issued on or after July 1, 2006. One issued earlier needs basic skills and content verification. The Provisional License has the same option for a provisional or equivalent license.

A completer holding no license submits transcripts, Praxis Core, the Principles of Learning and Teaching, content tests and a fitness clearance under the board's out-of-state completer plan. The 2020 comparison by the Education Commission of the States recorded full reciprocity for Hawaii, and the 2006 date line is where today's guides add a condition.

Does NC-SARA Membership Cover Teacher Licensure for Hawaii Online Master's Students?

NC-SARA membership does not decide teacher licensure for Hawaii online master's students: Hawaii was approved in May 2016, yet SARA does not address professional licensing board approval for teacher education.

HTSB's own page shows the link between the two. On August 8, 2025 its board approved a policy aligning out-of-state program rules with federal regulations and NC-SARA standards that require institutions to certify that programs meet licensure requirements where the student is located or will work.

What Should I Ask an Online Program Before Enrolling From Hawaii?

Before enrolling from Hawaii, find out what the online program has concluded in writing about Hawaii licensure, because 34 CFR 668.43 makes a school advertising licensure preparation publish the states where it does and does not qualify and send notice ahead of enrollment when it does not qualify or was never assessed.

Press on the Hawaii specifics: is the program on HTSB's approved list, or will you be an out-of-state completer taking Core, Principles of Learning and Teaching and content tests, will the school verify completion on HTSB Form LA3009, and will its home state license you?

Which License Do Hawaii Principals and School Counselors Need?

The license Hawaii principals need does not come from HTSB, which says it does not issue administrator licenses and leaves administrator certification to the Department of Education's Office of Talent Management.

HTSB's Provisional and Standard License guides accept completion of a teacher, librarian or counselor approved program, which is where a school counselor's preparation fits. Check an online master's in educational leadership or school counseling against the department's and the board's lists.

Does Hawaii Require a Master's Degree for an Advanced Teaching License?

Hawaii does not require a master's degree for an advanced teaching license, yet its Advanced License accepts a master's, specialist or doctoral degree, or 30 graduate hours, as one route. The degree cannot be the one used to obtain the initial license.

The license asks for a valid Standard License and five of the last eight years of full-time teaching, and it lasts ten years. National Board certification is another route.