How to Become a PE Teacher in 2025

If you are interested in becoming a PE teacher and want to know more about how to become a PE teacher, it is important to understand what the role of a PE teacher is. PE stands for physical education. These teachers are in charge of educating children and adolescents on how to lead a healthy lifestyle, from physical activity to nutrition. If you are an individual who loves working with children and want to be working in an active setting, then becoming a PE teacher is a great choice. This article will go more in depth into how to become a PE teacher and the requirements to be a PE teacher. 

PE Teacher Job Description

A PE teacher, or physical education teacher, specializes in teaching physical health, development, nutrition, and sports participation to their students. A typical PE teacher job description consists of requirements that ultimately lead to working with students from a variety of ages, and educating them on health science topics. As a PE teacher, it’s important to have a passion for integrating movement and physical activities with intrustruction for the children they are teaching. Below are a list of responsibilities that should be considered when deciding if you want to become a PE teacher: 

• Prepare lessons and teaching materials
• Teach and coach a range of sports and physical activities to pupils of different ages and abilities
• Manage class behavior, motivate and encourage all pupils to take part
• Work with learning support assistants to help pupils with special educational needs and disabilities
• Set and mark assignments and prepare pupils for exams
• Attend meetings and training
• Talk to parents and carers about their children’s progress
• Work with other professionals such as educational psychologists, counselors, social workers, and mentors
• Organize events like sports days, field trips, and matches with other schools and colleges
• Take registers, update records and write reports

How to Become a PE Teacher

If you are curious how to become a PE teacher, know that PE teachers have a similar path to general education teachers. Below are the steps that you can expect to take if wanting to pursue this career path: 

1. Earn your bachelor’s degree – Becoming a teacher requires individuals to earn their bachelor’s degrees, PE teachers included. 
2. Complete an internship – The best way to know if you are fit for a career is by gaining experience in that field. That’s why it is a requirement to complete an internship, so that individuals have firsthand experience. 
3. Pass certification exams – In order to become a teacher, individuals must pass state-approved certification exams. 
4. Apply for the state educator’s license – Once all requirements have been met, it’s time to apply for an educator’s license. This also involves having to participate in a background check. 
5. Obtain physical education endorsement – Because becoming a PE teacher is a specialty at a school, it’s important to obtain a physical education endorsement to show you are capable of teaching physical education. 

PE Teacher Skills

There are some PE teacher skills that set PE teachers apart from other teachers. Below are the specific teaching skills that are relevant to PE teachers: 

• Capable of physical fitness – Because this subject relies heavily on physical fitness, PE teachers should be capable and in shape enough to demonstrate or be an example for students. 
• Experience in team sports – Having experience in team sports is crucial, because you will be able to give guidance and advice to students participating in these activities in your class. You can speak from experience and bring in outside knowledge. 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills – This subject requires a lot of interaction between students in teacher. It’s key to have great communication skills so students can understand what they should be doing and so they respect you. 
• Knowledge of team dynamics, kinesiology, and nutrition – In order to teach some of the main parts of physical education, such as team sports and dynamics, nutrition, and more, it’s important to have knowledge of these subjects. 
• Experience in promoting physical fitness to others – Teachers should be passionate in the subject they teach. As such, being able to promote and live out what they teach through promotion of physical fitness is important to being a great PE teacher. 

Salary Expectations & Job Outlook in 2025

Some key factors to consider when pursuing a PE teacher career include salary expectations and job outlook. As of 2025, the average salary for a physical education teacher in the United States is approximately $63,300 per year at the elementary level and around $65,750 per year at the secondary level. These figures can vary widely based on factors such as school district, geographic location, cost of living, teacher credentials, and years of experience.

The state in which you teach plays a major role in determining salary. States with a higher cost of living, such as California, New York, and Massachusetts, typically offer higher teacher salaries to remain competitive and attract qualified educators. In contrast, states with lower overall education budgets or fewer resources may offer more modest compensation. Additionally, states differ in how they fund education, how they structure pay scales, and whether they offer incentives for advanced degrees or certifications.

The demand for teachers, including physical education instructors, continues to remain high due to the ongoing national teacher shortage. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for K–12 teachers is projected to grow by 4% through 2030, with some states reporting even higher localized demand. In particular, physical education teachers with strong knowledge of health, wellness, and nutrition are in increasing demand, especially as schools emphasize holistic approaches to student health and mental well-being.

School districts are also placing greater value on certified PE teachers who can support social-emotional learning and contribute to healthier school environments—making this a compelling time to enter the profession.

Degree and Certification Options for PE Teachers

There are two common educational pathways for becoming a physical education (PE) teacher, each designed to equip you with both subject expertise and classroom teaching skills.

The first path involves pursuing a bachelor’s degree in education with a concentration in physical education. These programs are specifically designed for future teachers and typically include coursework in kinesiology, health, exercise science, and child development, combined with supervised student teaching in a school setting. This is often the most direct route to licensure.

The second option is to pursue a degree in a related field, such as kinesiology, athletic training, exercise science, or health and fitness. After completing your undergraduate degree, you can meet teacher preparation requirements by enrolling in a post-baccalaureate teacher preparation program or earning a fifth-year master’s degree in education. These programs allow you to complete the pedagogical training and fieldwork necessary to qualify for certification.

If you are specifically interested in teaching PE at the secondary (high school) level, most states accept a bachelor’s degree in any subject, provided you also complete an approved teacher preparation program and pass the required state exams.

Certification Requirements

To teach physical education in public schools, all states require PE teachers to be state certified. While exact requirements vary by state, the general certification process includes:

• Earning a bachelor’s degree (in education or a related field)
  
• Completing an approved teacher preparation program
  
• Passing required certification exams, such as the Praxis or state-specific assessments in physical education and teaching knowledge
  
• Undergoing a background check and submitting fingerprint clearance
  
• Applying for a teaching license through the state’s Department of Education

Some states also offer alternative certification pathways for those who hold a non-education degree but want to enter the profession. These programs allow you to teach while completing your certification requirements on the job, often with mentorship and additional coursework.

Advancing Your Certification

Many PE teachers choose to pursue additional endorsements in areas such as health education, adaptive physical education (APE), or coaching. These specializations can increase your job opportunities and salary potential. In some states, continuing education or graduate coursework is also required to maintain your teaching license or move up to a professional or advanced tier of certification.

If you’re serious about starting a career as a PE teacher, now is a great time to explore your certification options and take the next step. With strong demand for qualified educators and a growing focus on student wellness, certified physical education teachers are more important than ever.

Becoming a PE teacher is a rewarding path for those passionate about fitness, education, and youth development. With the right degree, certification, and hands-on experience, you can make a lasting impact on students’ health and well-being while building a stable and meaningful career. Now is a great time to take the first step toward joining the next generation of physical educators.