Do I Need a License to Tutor Elementary?

Tutoring in elementary may be volunteer or paid.

Elementary children benefit from having extra instruction during and after school. They can focus on subjects that are difficult for them and receive one-on-one attention to help them succeed academically. Tutors may or may not be licensed teachers. Depending on the employer, some tutors may be required to be certified paraprofessionals in their states, or they may need to be licensed teachers.

Paraprofessionals

Paraprofessionals often tutor children in elementary schools. Because of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, paraprofessionals must meet certain educational requirements. For example, they may need at least an associate degree or a pass a state or local basic skills competency exam to be a paraprofessional. Some states, such as Georgia, require paraprofessionals to be state-certified.

Tutoring Companies

Tutoring companies may or may not require tutors of elementary students to be licensed teachers. Some tutoring companies send tutors to children’s homes, and others have brick and mortar centers to which parents bring their children. Some companies may provide tutoring programs in elementary schools after school, and some offer tutoring services to elementary students online. Licensed teachers typically earn a higher hourly wage than non-licensed tutors in companies that hire both. Some companies hire exclusively licensed teachers.

Independent

If you work for yourself as an elementary tutor, you do not have to have a state teacher’s license or a paraprofessional certification. You should, however, only represent your services as being from a licensed teacher if you do, indeed, hold a current state teacher’s license. Parents may be willing to pay extra for a licensed teacher’s services than for a tutor who does not have a license.

Volunteer

You could also volunteer in an elementary school as a mentor or tutor for children. You are not required to have a license to volunteer as a tutor. You may work with one student on a regular basis or with the same group of students. You may listen to them read, help them with homework assignments or projects. Teachers with whom you work or the school district’s volunteer coordinator may provide training to acquaint you with best tutoring practices and working with young children.

References

• Education Commission of the States; No Child Left Behind – Paraprofessionals; 2011
• Georgia Professional Standards Commission; Paraprofessional Certification Information; 2011
• Celebrate with Community; Community Champion: Darlene Fiscus and Jennifer O’Donnell; 2010