Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Best music teacher certifications
Music teacher certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an music teacher to employers. However, not all music teacher certifications provide the same value for job seekers.
The best certifications for a music teacher are Music Therapist - Board Certified (MT-BC), Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM), and Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL).
Below is a list of the best music teacher certifications. Obtaining an music teacher certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
4 best certifications for music teachers
| Rank | Music teacher certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Music Therapist - Board Certified (MT-BC) | CBMT |
| 2 | Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM) | MTNA |
| 3 | Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) | BLI |
| 4 | Certified Management Accountant (CMA) | IMA |
4 best music teacher certifications
1. Music Therapist - Board Certified (MT-BC)
The credential Music Therapist - Board Certified (MT-BC) is granted by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) to identify music therapists who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to practice music therapy at the current level of the profession. The purpose of board certification in music therapy is to provide an objective national standard that can be used as a measure of professionalism by interested agencies, groups, and individuals.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
2. Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM)
The MTNA Professional Certification program exists for teachers who teach music to students of any age level in private or group settings. The program is based upon a set of five standards defining what a competent music teacher should know and be able to do: Standard I: Professional Preparation Standard II: Professional Teaching Practices Standard III: Professional Business Management Standard IV: Professionalism and Partnerships Standard V: Professional and Personal Renewal.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
3. Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
4. Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
The CMA (Certified Management Accountant) is the advanced professional certification specifically designed to measure the accounting and financial management skills that drive business performance.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
What is the best certification for a music teacher?
The best music teacher certification is Music Therapist - Board Certified (MT-BC). The Music Therapist - Board Certified (MT-BC) is awarded by the Certification Board for Music Therapists. This certification corresponds to a specialty within a recognized occupation.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this music teacher certification:
- To become a certified Music Therapist - Board Certified (MT-BC), you need to pass the exam.
- Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 5 year.
The most common combination of music teacher certifications include: Music Therapist - Board Certified (MT-BC), Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM), and Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL).
Online courses for music teachers to earn certifications
1. Adventures in Classical Music-Music Appreciation for All!
Understand and enjoy classical music at your own pace. A music history course, including a music theory introduction...
2. Music Theory Comprehensive: Part 1 - How To Read Music
A Complete College-Level Music Theory Curriculum. This is Part 1: Reading Music & The Symbols of Music Notation...
3. Music Producer Masterclass: Make Electronic Music
Compose Music At A Professional level. Learn FL studio From Beginner To Expert Level. Become A Music Producer...
4. Music Theory for Electronic Music Producers - Complete Guide
This is the only Music Theory for Electronic Music Producers you will ever need. Learn Music Theory the Easy & Quick Way...
5. Music Theory
An in-depth and straight forward approach to understanding music...
6. Orchestral Music Composition & Music Theory for Video Games
Learn orchestral video game music composition & game composer music theory secrets to compose music for any video game!...
7. Music Theory ABRSM Grade 5
Updated for 2018! Learn how to Pass the ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory Exam and enjoy the process!...
8. Music Theory for Electronic Music COMPLETE: Parts 1, 2, & 3
Electronic music theory, digital music theory, and dance music theory. Learn music theory with ableton live and more!...
9. Music Theory Comprehensive Complete: Part 4, 5, & 6
Learn music theory through this music theory course app, music theory exercises, and music theory tutorials...
10. Music Theory Comprehensive Complete: Part 7, 8, & 9
Learn music theory through this music theory course app, music theory exercises, and music theory tutorials...
11. Music Composition with the Piano: Ultimate Keyboard Theory
Music Composition - The Ultimate Guide to Piano, Chords & Music Theory for Producers, Film Composers & Songwriters...
12. Game Music Composition: Make Music For Games From Scratch
Learn to compose music for any and every type of video game, from complete beginner to competent game music composer...
13. Music Theory Comprehensive Complete: Part 10, 11, & 12
Learn music theory through this music theory course app, music theory exercises, and music theory tutorials...
14. Music Production + Mixing Music in Presonus Studio One
Learn Presonus Studio One + Music Production in this Complete Course for Creating, Recording, Mixing Music + Mastering...
15. Music Theory - Fundamentals for Composition in Any Genre
Expand your music composition skills through learning universal music theory principles, mindset, and ear training...
16. Complete Electronic Music Production for EDM Music Producers
EDM: Learn professional electronic music production techniques from an expert electronic music producer - produce EDM!...
17. Music Theory for Electronic Producers - The Complete Course!
Join Successful students in Music Theory for Electronic Producers for Creating, Arranging, and Analysing Music Theory...
18. The Complete Piano & Music Theory Beginners Course
Learn all piano and music theory basics quickly, and save big on months of initial private lessons!...
19. Producing Music with Reason
Everything you need to know to get started producing great music with Propellerhead Reason...
20. Music Theory Comprehensive Complete! (Parts 1, 2, & 3)
A Complete College-Level Music Theory Curriculum. This edition of the course includes levels 1, 2, & 3...