Career Paths in Education for Service Members, Veterans, and Military Spouses

The Ohio Military Veteran Educators Program (OMVEP) provides free career counseling and support to eligible participants, with the goal of helping them obtain an Ohio educator license and gain employment in a school. The program is free, and no commitment is necessary. While OMVEP does not directly place participants in jobs, the program does provide employment consultation.  Those interested in discussing career opportunities or OMVEP programs can complete this interest form.  

The State Board of Education is responsible for teacher licensure. To apply for an educator license, candidates must set up an OHID account. Candidates who do not have an Ohio driver’s license may use a military ID or another approved form of identification to set up their account. 

Click the links below to find information about: 

Types of Positions

Schools and districts hire qualified individuals for a variety of positions, typically grouped into two categories: classified and certified. 

Classified Roles

Individuals in classified roles can work to support students and school operations without a teaching license. Some roles, like bus drivers, may require some specific training or certifications. Examples of these roles include:

  • Automotive Maintenance Technician 
  • ​Bus Driver 
  • Child Care Provider 
  • Classroom Aide 
  • Clerical Worker 
  • Coach 
  • Facility Maintenance 
  • Fiscal Specialist 
  • Food Services 
  • Health Aide 
  • Human Resources 
  • Information Technology 
  • Library Aide  
  • Logistics Management 
  • Media and Communications 
  • Paraprofessional 
  • Planning and Development 
  • Security Officer 
  • Special Education Aide 

Certified Roles

Individuals in a certified role must have earned a professional educator license. Examples of these roles include:

  • Teachers 
  • Principals 
  • Intervention Specialists 
  • Counselors 
  • Career-Technical Educators (Vocational Teachers) 
  • Speech-Language Pathologists 
  • Occupational Therapists 
  • Physical Therapists 
  • School Psychologists 
  • Superintendents 

OMVEP can support with: 

Teacher Pathways

Below are ways eligible military individuals can become a teacher in Ohio:

Educator Preparation Program | Time commitment: 2 - 4 Years 

This is the traditional entrance path to becoming a teacher. Enroll in an approved teacher preparation program to: 

  • Earn a bachelor's degree that leads to licensure; 
  • Complete a post-baccalaureate program to obtain licensure; or 
  • Earn a master's degree with licensure. 

OMVEP can support with: 

Alternative Resident Educator Program  | Time commitment: < 1 Year 

Individuals with a bachelor’s or master’s degree may be eligible for an Alternative Resident Educator License or the Alternative Military Educator License. These alternative licenses provide an accelerated pathway to classroom teaching, allowing students, schools, and communities to benefit from the candidates' content-related knowledge, life experience, and career experience. 

OMVEP can support with: 

Career Technical Workforce Development License | Time commitment: < 1 Year 

A Career-Technical Workforce Development License certifies educators to teach career-technical (vocational) classes in grades 4-12.  

OMVEP can support with: 

Substitute Teacher | Time commitment: <1 Month 

Substitute teaching allows aspiring educators to gain experience in a variety of teaching roles while building relationships with schools and districts. Different substitute teaching licenses are available depending on your education background.  

OMVEP can support with: 

Alternative Principal License

The Alternative Principal License is a three-year, nontraditional licensure pathway that allows candidates to work in an Ohio school as a principal or assistant principal while completing requirements for a professional license. 

OMVEP can support with: 

Junior ROTC Instructor

The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps in Ohio is a high school leadership development program based in the values and practices of the United States military. The program combines classroom experiences with service to students' schools and communities. JROTC instructors must apply for the temporary military science teaching license.  

Employment Opportunities:

OMVEP can support with: 

Currently Licensed Teachers

Out-of-State Licensure

The State Board of Education outlines the process for educators with out-of-state licensure to become a teacher in Ohio. OMVEP can assist with license fee waivers and Ohio Assessment for Educators exam vouchers. 

Military extensions to Ohio licenses

State law permits a member of the National Guard or a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States who is called to active duty and who, at the time of deployment, holds a valid educator license in Ohio, to have the license extended for a period of time commensurate with the length of active duty service, provided the educator is honorably released from that active duty service.

Contact  educator.licensure@education.sboe.gov to inquire about an extension. 

Temporary Military License

Temporary licenses are available for educators who are currently on active duty in Ohio or spouses of active duty service members in Ohio and hold a valid (active) out-of-state license in the requested subject area. 

Last Modified: 1/6/2026 12:42:11 PM