High School

In addition to taking physical education and participating in as many sports as possible, take college preparatory classes, including mathematics, science, and psychology. You should also take speech and English courses to develop your communication skills.

Postsecondary Training

You will need to earn a minimum of a bachelors degree in a major such as physical education or sports and exercise science to work as a physical education teacher. Typical classes for this major include exercise physiology, kinesiology, health and wellness, first aid/cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), sports psychology, teaching physical education/health, and activity courses that teach the fundamentals of specific sports such as golf, aerobics, basketball, tennis, and track. An advanced degree is usually required to teach physical education at the college level.

Schools throughout the United States offer accredited teacher education programs. Most of these programs are designed to meet the certificate requirements for the state in which they are located. Some states may require that you pass a test before being admitted to an educational program. You may choose to major in your subject area while taking required education courses, or you may major in secondary education with a concentration in your subject area. You will probably have advisers (both in education and in your chosen specialty) to help you select courses.

In addition to a degree, a training period of student teaching in an actual physical education environment is usually required. Students are placed in schools to work with full-time teachers. During this period, undergraduate students observe the ways in which lessons are presented and the gym or fitness center is managed. Students also learn how to keep records of such details as attendance and grades and get actual experience in handling the class, both under supervision and alone.

Certification or Licensing

All 50 states and the District of Columbia require public school teachers to be licensed by the Board of Education in the state where they will be working. Licensing is generally not required for teachers in private schools.

Teacher certification in physical education is available from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). Applicants must have a bachelors degree and three years of classroom experience in a public or private school. They must prepare a portfolio of their teaching experience and complete exercises at an NBPTS assessment center to demonstrate their knowledge of their teaching specialty. After they complete these requirements and pay an application fee, they can use the designation, national board certified teacher. Certifications are available in early and middle childhood and early adolescence through young adulthood. 

The American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence also offers certification. Prospective teachers can earn the passport to teaching certification and experienced teachers can earn the master teacher certification.

The National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities offers a voluntary certification program for adapted physical education instructors through the Adapted Physical Education National Standards. Instructors who pass an exam and meet other professional requirements may use the professional designation, certified adapted physical educator.

Some schools may also require you to be CPR-certified.

Previous teaching experience (student teaching, volunteering, etc.) is necessary to become a physical education teacher. 

You must be willing to continue to learn about physical education and fitness and like helping children learn fitness techniques and maintain good overall health. You need strong interpersonal and instructional skills to be able to communicate well with students and their parents. You should also be well organized, as you will have to keep track of the work and progress of many students.

Motivation skills are critical. Because you will be working with students who are at very impressionable ages, you should also serve as a good role model.

To be a successful PE teacher, you must be in good physical shape. You must have knowledge of human physiology and the psychological factors involved in physical education.