How to Become a Physical Education Teacher: Education, Certification, and Alternative Routes
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Overview Step-by-Step Alternatives Conclusion FAQs
Key Insights
- Physical education teachers help students understand their bodies and create healthy habits that can last a lifetime.
- You’ll need a bachelor’s degree, a state-approved teacher preparation program, and licensure before teaching PE in a public K–12 school.
- There are multiple paths into the profession, including traditional undergraduate programs and alternative routes for career changers.
- Online PE teaching degrees offer flexibility, but still require in-person fieldwork and student teaching to prepare you for the classroom.
If dodgeball was once the highlight of your school day, you might be surprised to learn that you can turn that love of movement into a career. Physical education still includes whistles, cones, and gym games, but it now covers much more than that. In many schools, PE teachers help students build confidence and develop healthy habits they can carry into adulthood.
If you’re interested in becoming a PE teacher, you probably have a few logistical questions. Like, what kind of degree do I need? How does teacher licensure work? And what will my days look like?
This guide breaks it all down. You’ll learn how to become a physical education teacher, from choosing a major to earning certification, along with alternative routes for changing careers.
What Does a Physical Education Teacher Do?
Physical education teachers seek to improve students' self-esteem as they develop body awareness and adopt habits that will benefit their future health.
As a PE teacher, your daily tasks will include:
- Lesson planning
- Instructing students on how to move and develop motor skills
- Assessing students and grading physical activities
- Ensuring every student can access and perform each activity safely
Because you'll see students in a different atmosphere than other teachers, you'll also work with your colleagues to monitor the mental health and social wellbeing of your students.
While some may assume being a gym teacher is easy, PE teachers must obtain the same licensure as teachers of other subjects. When pursuing a teacher license, you'll spend your time in school learning about child development, teaching practices, and student assessment.
To explore other career paths tied to this field, check out our guide to What You Can Do With a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education.
Step-by-Step: How to Become a Physical Education Teacher
Teaching PE is a straightforward career when you're committed to the profession. Each state has different certification needs, but in general, the path to take is as follows: obtain a degree, complete a teacher preparation program, get licensed, and apply for teaching jobs.
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree
To teach physical education at the K–12 level, you'll need to earn a bachelor’s degree in physical education or a closely related major. This degree will provide you with knowledge about physical education as well as how to teach it.
Common courses you may take include:
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Motor development and biomechanics
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Kinesiology/exercise science
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Health and wellness
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Teaching methods/classroom management
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Assessment and curriculum development
To gain flexibility while earning your degree, consider pursuing a physical education teaching degree online. Many schools now offer hybrid or 100% online programs with on-site student teaching that can be completed in your area.
It's also possible to study another major closely related to PE. If you want to study the science side of physical education, majors like kinesiology, exercise science, and health education provide overlap with PE teaching. However, you’ll need to double check that you can meet your state’s requirements with your chosen program.
These lists can help you compare options:
- Most Popular Online Physical Education Degrees 2026
- Most Popular Online Kinesiology Degrees
- Most Popular Online Exercise Science Degrees
- Most Popular Online Health Education Degrees 2026
Step 2: Complete a State-Approved Teacher Preparation Program
Obtaining your degree is just the first step. You’ll also need to complete a teacher preparation program approved by your state to become a licensed PE teacher. Teacher prep programs show you how to teach in addition to what to teach.
Common topics include classroom management, lesson planning, student assessment, and instructing diverse students. You’ll learn how to modify activities for different learning types, ability levels, and ages.
The student teaching/practicum portion of your teacher preparation program is where you get hands-on experience in a school setting. You will plan lessons, teach students, and learn from a professional mentor teacher. Many students feel like they have “finally learned how to teach” once they complete their student teaching.
Some physical education degree programs will include a teacher preparation program as part of their course of study. Other programs will require you to apply and enroll in a separate teacher preparation program after you’ve completed your undergraduate degree. It’s important to confirm early that your program aligns with your state’s physical education teacher requirements.
Step 3: Meet Physical Education Teacher Certification Requirements
Once you’ve graduated and finished your teacher preparation program, you’re ready to become licensed. Physical education teacher certification is a must to teach in public K–12 schools.
States have varying physical education teaching requirements, but they often include:
- Earning passing scores on a general teaching exam
- Earning passing scores on a PE subject-area test
- Submitting to background checks and fingerprinting
- Sending official transcripts and program verification
Not all states use traditional multiple-choice exams. Some require performance-based assessments, which may involve submitting a teaching portfolio, lesson plans, recorded classroom instruction, and written reflections that demonstrate your readiness to teach.
EXPERT TIP
If you want to teach in a different state down the road, your license may not automatically transfer. Some states have , while others may require you to take an exam or two.
Step 4: Apply for Teaching Jobs
Once you've completed the steps above, you can begin your job search. School districts, state education department job postings, and national teaching job sites all list openings.
When hiring new teachers, most school districts look for evidence that you can effectively run a classroom by differentiating instruction to meet individual learning styles and ability levels. During your interview, provide concrete examples of how you addressed student behavior and supported special needs learners during your student teaching or practicum experience.
Physical Education Teacher Salary
Physical education teacher salary depends on factors like location, years of experience, and education level. In most public school systems, pay is set by a standardized salary schedule, which you can find on district websites. These schedules show your starting salary and how your pay can increase over time based on experience and additional degrees.
EXPERT TIP
A simple way to find salary information is to search “[district name] teacher salary schedule” or “[district name] pay scale.”
Step 5: Advanced or Specialized Training (Optional)
After you become certified and secure a teaching job, you won’t need to attend school again, but many PE teachers opt to receive advanced or specialized training to increase their earning potential or focus on a certain area of specialization.
Teachers may pursue a master’s degree in physical education or health education to qualify for positions such as department head, curriculum specialist, or instructional coach. Many states also give you an immediate pay bump just for having a master's degree.
Consider these lists when planning for the future:
- 2026 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Physical Education
- Most Popular Physical Education Master’s Degrees Online 2026
- 2026 Most Affordable Online Master’s Degrees in Health Education
- 2026 Most Affordable Online Master’s Degrees in Exercise Science
Alternative Paths to Becoming a Physical Education Teacher
Some students don’t know they want to teach until after college. If you’ve completed your bachelor’s degree in another subject, don’t fret. There are multiple ways you can become a PE teacher without having to start from square one.
Master’s in Teaching (MAT) or M.Ed. with Licensure
MAT or Master of Education programs with licensure are graduate programs made for individuals who have a bachelor’s degree in something other than education. Students take courses that focus on pedagogy and on their content area, as well as participate in a student-teaching internship under supervision.
Candidates don’t serve as a classroom teacher of record until after program completion. Both the master’s degree and licensure are granted upon completion of the program.
Alternative Certification Programs
Alternative certification programs get you into the classroom as soon as possible. Rather than complete your training up front, you may start teaching with a provisional license while completing coursework, passing exams, and meeting mentoring requirements.
These programs don’t offer a master’s degree, so it’s a quick path into the workforce. However, you'll have less time for training and more on your plate once you start working.
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Programs
Post-baccalaureate programs allow you to complete the required education classes and student teaching hours to earn your license without needing to complete a second bachelor’s degree. These programs are more streamlined than a full master’s program and are a great option for students who would like to be formally prepared without the cost of a master’s degree.
Teacher Residency or Service-Based Programs
Teacher residencies or service-based programs are ideal when you've previously earned a bachelor’s degree and want to be placed in a classroom as soon as possible.
These programs, such as , place you in an underserved school while you complete intensive mentoring, coursework, and acquire licensure. Additionally, many residency programs have partnerships with universities that allow you to earn your graduate degree at a discount.
Teaching Physical Education Outside the Public K–12 System
What's needed for becoming a PE teacher depends heavily on where you want to teach. Public K–12 schools, private schools, and colleges all follow different rules and offer very different day-to-day experiences.
Teaching at the College Level
Teaching physical education or movement-based courses at a college or university follows a different path than K–12 teaching.
Most college instructors:
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Don't need a state teaching license
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Hold an advanced degree
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Teach specialized or elective-style courses rather than general PE
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Often work in adjunct or part-time roles
Rather than teaching PE classes to hundreds of kids at a time, you may teach specific courses on yoga, strength training, mindfulness and meditation, outdoor education, specific sports, or fitness theory.
Courses are often elective for students, which creates a different daily job environment. This can lead to greater independence and specialization in your job, but it can also mean less job stability and fewer full-time positions.
Teaching in Private K–12 Schools
Private schools can have different hiring policies than public schools. Some choose to only hire licensed teachers with formal training, but they're legally allowed to hire teachers that don't meet the state’s certification standards. Private schools may instead place value on your knowledge of a particular subject, coaching experience, or fit with the school’s culture and educational philosophy.
This can open up some great opportunities. Private school teachers may have smaller classrooms, more flexibility in lesson planning, and less emphasis on meeting strict state standards.The caveat is that private school jobs may be lower paying and offer fewer benefits than public schools with government funding.
Even if you don’t need a license to teach at a private school, teacher training can still help you become a stronger candidate and keep your options open for the future.
Is Becoming a Physical Education Teacher Right for You?
Your favorite teacher growing up likely wasn’t the one who taught you your favorite subject. Odds are they became your favorite by making you feel intelligent, included, or seen. For many kids who struggled in traditional classrooms, that job fell to their PE teacher.
Becoming a PE teacher is relatively straightforward. Like most teaching careers, you’ll begin at the bachelor’s level and then complete a teacher preparation program and licensure before setting foot in a classroom. You can also obtain your physical education teaching degree online if you want to learn at your own pace. These programs include a virtual learning aspect and in-person fieldwork.
As a PE teacher, you can be as structured or free-flowing as you want. You’ll have the comfort of a set schedule, while impacting students in some of the most important years of their development. And who knows, maybe one day you'll become the favorite teacher your students remember for helping them feel confident and capable!
Frequently Asked Questions
What degree do you need to be a gym teacher?
To become a gym teacher, you need a bachelor’s degree in physical education or a closely related teaching field. Most states also require completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program and licensure before you can teach physical education in public K–12 schools.
How much does a physical education teacher make?
Physical education teacher salaries vary based on location, school district, experience, and education level. In general, PE teachers earn similar salaries to other K–12 teachers, with higher pay often available to those with a master’s degree or more years of classroom experience.
What are the qualifications to be a PE teacher?
The qualifications to be a PE teacher include a bachelor’s degree in physical education, completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program, passing licensure exams, and meeting background check laws. Some states also require ongoing professional development to maintain certification.
How long does it take to become a PE teacher?
It usually takes about four years to become a PE teacher, which includes earning a bachelor’s degree and completing student teaching. Additional time may be needed to pass state certification exams. If you pursue a master’s degree or specialization, this can add one to two more years.