Common Degree Requirements
Each state has its own requirements for becoming a teacher’s assistant. While charter and private schools may only require a high school diploma, other schools may prefer at least an associate’s degree, which can improve your chances of getting the job you want.  If you earned credits while pursuing your associate degree, many schools offer programs that allow those credits to transfer toward a bachelor’s degree, helping further your education and increase your chances of landing a better job or becoming a lead teacher.
A federal mandate requires that all teacher’s assistants who are employed by Title I schools must hold a certificate as a teacher’s assistant and have a minimum two-year degree.
In some states, teacher’s assistants and teacher’s aides are considered the same, while in others, they are different roles. A teacher’s assistant must be certified to provide instructional support, while a teacher’s aide typically only needs a high school diploma and handles non-professional duties like tending to children’s needs, proctoring tests, preparing the classroom, and monitoring. Another key difference is salary: a teacher’s assistant earns around $25,000 annually, while a teacher’s aide makes about $18,000.
Exams and Licenses
Each state has their own specific educational requirements for different positions, but in any state you will need to be certified in order to be a teacher’s assistant.
In most states, certified teacher’s assistants are called Paraprofessionals. To qualify, you must pass whatever state assessment of teaching assistant skills is required in your state and possibly complete workshops on school violence prevention, and child abuse identification. States may also use the PRAXIS-para tests or other methods to certify teacher assistants, but you will need certification no matter which state you call home.
