Pre-service Requirement: None specified.

Professional Development Requirement: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective physical education teachers in elementary, middle, and high school grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree and completion of a state approved teacher education program in physical education that requires a minimum of 32 semester hours of which at least 19 are upper division courses. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in Administrative Code 290-3-2 (2003) and the curriculum requirements for prospective health teachers are provided in Administrative Code 290-3-3-.04 and .33 (2005).

Professional Development: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: Code 6-16-132 (2003) does not require schools or districts to hire personnel certified in physical education. However, the minimum requirements for prospective physical education teachers seeking certification in elementary, middle, and high school grades prior to licensure are a bachelor's degree and passing scores on the appropriate Praxis content knowledge exam. The Arkansas Department of Education publishes the details of initial licensure.

The State Board of Education's  Rules Governing Nutrition and Physical Activity Standards and Body Mass Index for Age Assessment Protocols in Arkansas Public Schools (2012) require districts to employ at least one licensed and/or qualified full-time physical education teacher for every 500 students in grades K-6. Beginning in 2012, all personnel teaching physical education in grades K-12 must hold aphysical education license appropriate for grade levels being taught.

Professional Development: No state policy.

Pre-service Requirement: The Special Subject Area Endorsement (2008) requires a valid elementary, secondary or special education certificate, 30 hours or courses to include one course in the methods of teaching physical education at the elementary level, one course for the secondary level, and either twenty-four semester semester hours of courses in physical education content areas, a masters degree in physical education or a comparable certificate from the NBPTS.

Professional Development: State Board of Education Administrative Code R7-2-617 (2003) requires all holders of a teaching certificate may renew their certificate upon the completion of 180 clock hours of a professional development program.

Pre-service Requirement: Education Code 51210.2 (2002) encourages each school district to employ a credentialed physical education teacher within any elementary school and provide each teacher instruction in physical education with yearly theoretical practical training in developmental physical education. Education Code 44257 (1993) requires the commission to issue single subject teaching credentials in physical education.

Professional Development Requirement: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: Prospective elementary and middle school teachers are required to have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in the liberal arts, with additional coursework in physical education. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in State Board of Education Regulations 2260.5-R-8.01 and 8.02 (2004). High school physical education teachers are required to have a bachelor's degree in physical education, as outlined in State Board of Education Regulation 2260.5-R-8.16 (2004).

Professional Development: For an initial license holder, State Board of Education Regulation 2260.5-R-12.01 (2004) requires steps towards completing the requirements for a professional license every 3 years until completed. State Board of Education Regulation 2260.5-R-12.02 (2004) requires six semester hours of 90 clock hours of professional development every five years for professional license renewal.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective physical education teachers is bachelor's degree with a major in physical education. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in Statute Chapter 166, Section 10-145b (2004).

Professional Development: Regulation 10-145d-417 (2003) requires 90 hours of professional education every five years for re-certification.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirements for licensure as a physical educator are a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, completion of a teacher preparation program in Physical Education for grades K-12, and completion of a minimum of 27 semester hours in physical education coursework. Details of licensure can be found in Administrative Codes 14:1564 (2003).

Professional Development: 90-clock hours of professional development every five years are required for re-licensure per Code 14:1551. Further, Administrative Code 14:851 (2005) requires an annual staff development plan describing the use of effective instructional methods as part of the K-12 comprehensive health education program.

Pre-service Requirement: For certification in K-12 physical education, Rule 6A-4.0283 (2003) requires a candidate to have a bachelor's degree or higher with either a teacher education major in physical education or 30 semester hours in physical education that includes areas specified in the Rule

Professional Development: Statute1012.585 (2012) requires a minimum of 6 college credits, 120 in-service points, or a combination thereof for renewal of a professional certificate. For those with specialization areas, 3 credit hours or equivalent in-service points are required in the area of specialization. Alternatively, a candidate may opt to pass the state board approved subject area test in lieu of course credit or in-service points.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirements for prospective health and physical education teachers in elementary, middle and high school grades prior to licensure is a clear renewable certificate according to PSC Rule 505-2-.71 (2004). For a clear renewable certificate, PSC Rule 505-2-.003 (2004) requires a candidate to have completed a state-approved program in health and physical education and have completed the special requirements per PSC Rule 505-2-.020 (2005) which include content knowledge, standards of conduct, recency of study, special education, teaching of reading and writing, and computer skill competency.

Professional Development: For renewal, 6 semester hours of college course work or 10 credits of Professional Learning Units (PLUs) or Continuing Education Units are required per PSC Rule 505-2-.024 (2004).

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective physical education teachers in elementary, middle, and high school grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, with no additional coursework in physical education. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in Administrative Rule 8-54-9 (1998). 

Professional Development: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: 282 IAC13.28 states that the minimum requirement for a physical education K-12 basic teacher license and physical education endorsement is the completion of 24 semester hours in physical education, elementary school physical education, human growth and development related to children's physical education, and first aid and emergency care. Grades 5-12 requires coursework in human anatomy, kinesiology, human physiology, human growth and development related to maturational and motor learning, adapted physical education, curriculum and administration of physical education , assessment process in physical education, and first aid and emergency care.

Professional Development: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: None specified.

Professional Development: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: Prospective physical education teachers in elementary or middle grades are required to have a bachelor's degree with a content area in physical education from an approved program. Prospective high school teachers are required to have a major in physical education from an approved program. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in 515-8-1-29.1 (2010)

Professional Development: Every five years, per 515 IAC 1-7-14, the Indiana Professional Standards Board requires the completion of six approved college semester credit hours, or the completion of an approved Professional Growth Plan for license renwal, or completion of the process for certification by the national Board of Professional Teaching Standards.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective physical education teachers in elementary, middle, and high school grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, with no additional coursework in physical education. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in Regulations 91-1-202 (2002) and 91-1-209 (2003). 

Professional Development: License renewal required every 5 years.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective physical education teachers in elementary, middle, and high school grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, successful completion of the applicable assessment, a recommendation from an approved preparation program, and no additional coursework in physical education. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in 16 KAR 2:010 (2003).

Professional Development: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary and middle grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, with four semester hours in health and physical education. Secondary certification requires a completion of 30 hours of health and physical education courses. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in the Louisiana Standards for State Certification of School Personnel Bulletin 746 (2011).

Professional Development: No state policy.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective physical education teachers in elementary, middle, and high school is a bachelor's degree. 603 CMR 7.05 (2006) provides the general guidelines.

Professional Development: Per General Law 71.38G (no date available), relevant professional development plan that meets board requirements for subject matter knowledge and teaching skills is required to be completed every 5 years for re-certification.

Pre-service Requirement: State Board of Education Regulation 13A.12.02.18 (2003) sets the minimum requirement for certification in physical education as possessing a bachelor's degree with a major in the physical education or completion of 36 semester hours of course content work in physical education and completing the professional education course and experience requirements found in State Board of Education Regulation 13A.12.02.06 (2003).

Professional Development: No state policy.

Pre-service Requirement: For prospective physical education teachers in elementary, middle, and high school the requirement is a bachelor's degree with at least 36 credit hours in physical education. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in Education Rule Chapter 115, Section 5510 (1997).

Professional Development: Rule Chapter 115, Section 5510 requires six hours of approved study, preferably in the certificate area, for certificate renewal.

Pre-service Requirement: No state policy.

Professional Development: All educators are required to receive five days of professional development.

Pre-service Requirement: State Board of Education Rule 8710.4700 (2002) requires prospective physical educators to have a bachelor's degree. Details for licensure are outlined in State Board of Education Rule 8710.0300 (2002).

Professional Development: State Board of Education Rule 8710.7100 (2003) requires all teachers to obtain 125 hours of continuing education in their field every five years for re-licensure.

Pre-service Requirement: The state does not have a policy specifically stating pre-service physical educator requirements; however, Revised Statute 168.081 (2002) prohibits a person from engaging in the practice of teaching in grades K-12 without a valid Missouri certificate.

Professional Development: No state policy

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective physical education teachers in elementary, middle, and high school grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, a standard MS license, and 21 semester hours in physical education. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in the Licensure Guidelines (2004) from the Commission on Teacher and Administrator Education, Licensure, and Development. The Mississippi Public School Accountability Standards (2006) and State Board Policy 4012 (2008) allows a licensed physical education teacher, regular classroom teacher, or other staff licensed by the Mississippi Department of Education to provide physical education in grades K-8. Physical education in grades 9-12 must be provided by a licensed physical education teacher.

Professional Development: The state does require teachers to attend professional development in order to obtain continuing education credit to renew their teaching license outlined in the Licensure Guidelines from the Commission on Teacher and Administrator Education, Licensure, and Development. The content of professional development is left to the teachers/districts. State Board Policy GAD-1 (1997) requires the department of education to develop and disseminate a professional development model that establishes the expectations for individual educators and local district programs.

Pre-service Requirement: None specified.

Professional Development: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: To be licensed as a physical educator or health educator in NC, an individual must complete an approved teacher education program, which in NC includes a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 at the time of admission to and exit from a teacher education program, a  satisfactory Praxis I score for admission to the program, a minimum of 10 weeks of student teaching, completion of a technology product of learning and completion of a program of study that meets state-approved standards and indicators for the specialty area.

Professional Development: No state policy.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirements to teach physical education are possession of a license to teach by the education standards and practices board, approval teach in physical education by the education standards and practices board, and meets all the requirements set by the Superintendent of public instruction according to Code 15.1-18-10 (2006) 

Professional Development: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirements for a physical education endorsement are a minimum of 27 semester hours in physical education courses for K-6 or 7-12 endorsements. Both endorsements require a minimum of 15 semester hours in scientific foundations and a minimum of 12 semester hours in techniques. Details are found in Rule 92 NAC 24-006.43 (no date available). For certification in health and physical education for grades K-12, the candidate must complete 48 semester hours of preparation in health and physical education courses, including 24 semester hours in scientific foundations and 24 semester hours in health education according to Rule 92 NAC 24-006.27 (no date available).

Professional Development: Statute 79-830 (no date available), the Professional Growth Requirement, requires all certificated employees to provide evidence of 6 semester hours of professional growth or an alternative activity approved by the school board every 6 years.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective physical education teachers in grades K-12 prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree and demonstrate competency in the areas described in State Board of Education Rule Ed 507.16 (2003).

Professional Development: State Board of Education Rule Ed 512 (2001) requires educators to have a minimum of 75 hours of professional development every three years. 30 hours must be devoted to the educator's subject area or specialization.

Pre-service Requirement: State Board of Education Administrative Code N.J.A.C. 6A:9-9.2 (2004) allows a physical education or health and physical education endorsement which both authorize the holder to teach physical education in public schools.  For an endorsement in health and physical education, State Board of Education Administrative Code N.J.A.C. 6A:9-11.8 (2004) requires the candidate to fulfill a 30-credit sequence of courses and a minimum of 15 credits in physical education.

Professional Development: Per State Board of Education Administrative Code N.J.A.C. 6A:9-15.2 (2008), all teachers must complete at least 100 hours of continuing professional development for every five years of employment.

Pre-service Requirement: Complete the requirements for an elementary [K-8] license (6.61.2 NMAC) or a middle school [5-9] license (6.61.3 NMAC) or a secondary [7-12] license (6.61.4 NMAC) or a PreK-12 license (6.61.5 NMAC). Competencies for entry level Physical Education teachers may be found in 6.64.14 NMAC.

Professional Development: No specific requirement for physical education. However 6.65.2 NMAC, requires all public school districts and charter schools to design and implement a professional development plan that meets the guidelines in this rule and that is part of the district/school strategic plan (Educational Plan for Student Success).

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirements for prospective elementary physical education candidates and a bachelor's degree and the completion of 12 semester hours of physical education. For prospective secondary physical education candidates, the minimum requirements are a bachelor's degree and a major (constituting 36 semester hours) or minor in physical education. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in State Board of Education Administrative Code 391.095, 391.120, 391.098, and 391.13048. For a K-12 physical education endorsement, the candidate must also possess a bachelor's degree, 42 semester hours of coursework, and 22 semester hours of professional education outlined in State Board of Education Administrative Code 391.280 (1991).

Professional Development: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective physical education teachers is a bachelor's degree with specified course work and grades for all teachers. Candidates must also participated in the child abuse identification and school violence prevention workshops and have passed the Assessment of Teaching Skills, CST in Physical Education, and the LAST. They must also have 40 days of supervised teaching experience in physical education within the applicable grade range, and have fingerprint clearance. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in Commissioner's Regulation 52.21.

Professional Development: Commissioner's Regulation 100.2 (dd) requires each school district to adopt a professional development plan that meets the needs, goals, and objectives of the district. Each teacher must complete 175 hours of professional development every five years.

Pre-service Requirement: Physical educators in Ohio are required to hold the Multi-Age License in physical education valid for teaching physical education in all grades Pre-kindergarten through 12^th grade. ORC 3319.076 (2010) requires all physical education teachers hired by districts after July 1, 2013 to provide instruction in grades K-12 to have a valid license for teaching physical education pursuant to ORC 3319.076 (2010).

Professional Development: OAC 3301-24-08 (2003) requires 18 units of continuing education in the area of licensure for renewal, as approved by the local professional development committee.  ORC 3319.073 (1995) requires the board of education to develop a 4-hour in-service training program in child abuse prevention for all elementary school district employees and service center work.

Pre-service Requirement: The Competencies for Licensure & Certification (2002) provides an outline of the knowledge and skills required for Physical Education/Safety licensure and certification.

Professional Development: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: OAR 584-036-0015 (2005) states that an elementary subject matter endorsement for grades preK-9 is valid for self-contained classrooms and departmental assignments in physical education. Details of a basic elementary endorsement are found in OAR 584-384-0010 (1989). All subject matter endorsements, except elementary, are valid for teaching physical education in grades 5-12. For a basic physical education endorsement, 48 quarter hours are required to demonstrate competence outlined in OAR 548-038-0230 (1989).

In addition to passing the required subject-matter, examinations for physical education, and completing the required practicum experience, the requirements to add a physical education endorsement onto any Initial or Continuing Teaching License are outlined in OAR 584-065-0060 (2005).

Professional Development: OAR 584-048-0025 (2002) allows the renewal of a basic license upon verification of a successful experience or 9 quarter hours of additional preparation or completion of additional preparation applicable to a Standard Teaching License according to OAR 584-048-0032 (1992).

Pre-service Requirement: 24 P.S. 12-1202 (no date available) requires that teachers be certified in the field in which they teach. 24 P.S. 16-1604 (no date available) requires that no teacher shall be employed to teach any discipline other than those enumerated in his certificate. 022 PA Code 49.71 (1972) requires that all teachers shall have completed a program of teacher education approved by the Department of Education, have satisfactorily achieved the prescribed assessments and has the recommendation of the preparing college or university.

Educators who teach physical education must be certified as a health and physical education teacher or an elementary teacher. 

Certification and Staffing Policy Guideline (CSPG) 41 (2004) states that elementary educators may teach physical education within a grade-by-grade (K-6) self contained classroom. When elementary students are grouped separately or scheduled for this instruction, a person holding a health and physical education certificate must be assigned. Physical education at the middle and high school level must be taught by a certified health and physical education teacher. 

In a licensed private school,  022 PA Code 51.34 (1947), only teachers holding a valid Pennsylvania professional certificate issued under Chapter 49 (relating to certification of professional personnel), a private academic teaching certificate or a private academic temporary approval certificate may teach in a licensed private school.

Professional Development: Act 48 (1999) requires professional educators and educational specialists and administrators to complete 6 credits of collegiate study, 6 credits of continuing education courses, and 180 hours of continuing professional education programs, activities, or learning experiences every 5 years for maintenance of licensure.

Pre-service Requirement: TheRegulations Governing the Certification of Educators in Rhode Island (effective January 1, 2012) details a comprehensive redesign of the certification system that updates the requirements and procedures that govern educator certification in Rhode Island.  Specific details of Rhode Island Physical Education Certificate are outlined in All Grades Physical Education Teacher, Grades PK-12.

Applicants must achieve a passing score of 160 on the Praxis II Principles of Learning and Teaching - Grades K-6 (0622/5622) OR a passing score of 157 on the Praxis II Principles of Learning and Teaching - Grades 7-12 (0624/5624). Applicants prepared in a program where the language of instruction was not English must achieve a passing score of 64 on the Versant Pro Speaking and Writing assessments.        See Certification Tests - Effective September 1, 2013. 

Professional Development: See the RI Professional Teacher Standards, RI Standards for Educational Leadership, and RI Code of Professional Responsibilities.  As per the Regulations Governing the Certification of Educators in Rhode Island,professional development is embedded in the state approved local evaluation system requirement that all educators receive annual evaluation ratings and professional growth plans.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective physical education teachers is a bachelor's degree, certification at the early childhood, elementary, middle, secondary, or preK-12 level, minimum qualifying score on the content area examination, and 30 semester hours in physical education coursework. Details of licensure are outlined in State Board of Education Regulation R 43-62 (2004) and the South Carolina Teacher Certification Manual (2003).

Professional Development: Code 59-10-50 (2005) requires physical education teachers in a school that receives an unsatisfactory program effectiveness score to be provided professional development activities to assist in improving its programs' effectiveness.

Student-to-Teacher Ratio: Beginning in the 2006-07 school year, per Code 59-10-20 (2005), there must be a 700:1 ratio in elementary schools. Beginning in the 2007-08 school year, there must be a 600:1 ratio in elementary schools. Beginning in the 2008-09 school year, there must be a 500:1 ratio in elementary schools.

Pre-Service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective physical education teachers in elementary or middle grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, with two semester hours of first aid and health which is the same requirements for all prospective K through 8 teachers. For prospective teachers in high school, the state requires a bachelor's degree, with at least 24 semester hours in health coursework. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in Administrative Rules 24:57:07:04 (2008) and 24:53:07:23 (2008).

A comprehensive K-12 physical education endorsement requires 18 semester hours of physical education that includes physical education methodology, adaptive physical education, fundamentals of motor skills, individual, dual and team sports, both competitive and non-competitive, and care and prevention of athletic injuries coursework. In addition to the 18 hours, a practicum, internship or student teaching is required as well as a study in the developmental characteristics of K-12 learners. Details of the requirements are found in Administrative Rule 24:15:06:19 (2004).

Some authorizations are issued after the educator completes the approved programs (see Administrative Rule 24:53:07:23 2008), generally at the major level, and others are issued after the PRAXIS test (see Administrative Rule 24:15:06:19) verifies that the educator has met the minimum requirements for authorizations outside a major.

Professional Development: Renewal requirements must be related to preparation standards in article 24:16 and be completed between the date of issuance of the current valid certificate and the application for renewal according to Administrative Rule 24:15:03:06 (2005).

Pre-service requirement:  A prospective physical educator must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, a supervised physical education internship or student teaching experience in both K-4 and 5-12 settings, and a major in physical education.  Further specifics are outline in the Tennessee Licensure Standards and Induction Guidelines (2005).  Tennessee State Board of Education, Standards and Guidelines for Tennessee’s Coordinated School Health Program 4.204 (2000) specifically states that physical education teachers and physical activity specialists provide for physical education and related fitness activities.

Professional Development: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: None specified.

Professional Development: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective physical education teachers in elementary grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, with no additional coursework in health. For prospective teachers in middle or high school, a candidate is require to have a major or state endorsement in physical education, in addition to a bachelor's degree. The specific details of licensure are outlined in R277-504 (2004).

Professional Development: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: 8VAC20-21-280 (1998) ensures that teacher candidates for physical education programs for Pre-K-12 will have competency in the knowledge, skills, and process for teaching physical education. The minimum requirements are graduation from a teacher preparation program in health and physical education or completion of a major in health and physical education or 45 semester hours of coursework in the areas specified in the code.

Professional Development: 8VAC20-21-100 (2002) requires a minimum of 90 points (3 semester hours in a content area) in the license holder's area of endorsement for license holders without a master's degree.

Student-to-Teacher Ratio: Code 22.1-253.13:2 (2004) requires local school boards to employ five positions per 1,000 students in grades K-5 to serve as resource teachers in art, music, and physical education.

Pre-service Requirement: Board Rules 5441 and 5445 and 5440-08 (2005) require physical educators to have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in physical education and a practicum in physical education at the appropriate grade level. An applicant must also demonstrate knowledge of physical education concepts and skills in five specified areas and meet three specific performance standards.

Professional Development: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective physical education teachers in elementary and middle school is a bachelor's degree. The minimum requirement for prospective physical education teachers in high school is a bachelor's degree, with at least 30 semester hours in physical education. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in the Office of Public Instruction's online Certification guidelines. 

The State Board of Education adopted the endorsement system in 1998 as WAC 181-82A-204 (2004). WAC 181-79A-380 (1997) requires a candidate to have completed the minimum coursework credit hours in the area of physical education. Details of the essential areas of study are provided in the Code. 

Professional Development: WAC 392-192-030 (1990) requires all local school districts to adopt a professional growth program for certified classroom teachers and support personnel unless a collective bargaining agreement provides otherwise.

Pre-service Requirement: To qualify for a license to teach physical education, an applicant must complete a program that incorporates Wisconsin's model academic standards for physical education and assists prospective educators in developing specific competencies according to Administrative Code PI 34.30 (2000). 

Professional Development: Code PI 8.01 (2004) requires each school district to establish an annual professional development plan to meet individual needs or curriculum areas in each school. Code PI 34.18 (2000) requires a professional educator to complete a professional development plan that demonstrates increased competency every five years.

Pre-service Requirement: Per Board Policy 5202 (2004), the minimum requirement for prospective physical education teachers in elementary, middle, and high school grades prior to licensure is physical educators is a bachelor's degree.

Professional Development: Board Policy 5202 requires six semester hours of coursework covering topics related to the public school program" for license renewal. Board Policy 5500 (1997) establishes the general implementation of staff development activities for the 18 hours of job-related training required for all school personnel each school year.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective physical educators in the elementary and middle grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, with 27 hours in the applicable content area. For prospective teachers in high school, the state requires a bachelor's degree, with an endorsement in physical education as specified in Section 12 of Rule 4897, Chapter 7 (2002). The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in Rule 5615, Chapter 3 (2004). 

Professional Development: Rule 5181, Chapter 15 (2003) requires five semester hours of credit and/or 75 clock hours of professional development for license renewal.