The info from previous posters is not correct. I work in HR at a charter school and review credentials and review info to certify teachers as HQT. The laws allow for non HQT teachers to be hired but schools don't usually like to do that because there are additional reporting requirements to parents and teachers have to be on an HQT action plan. And after 5 years if a teacher has not become HQT, they must be dismissed. I'm not as familiar with DCPS but I know they hire teachers who lack credentials but do prefer that people are DC likened and might expect that pretty quickly.

To become HQT you need to do one of the following: (1) possess DC teacher licensure (other states don't qualify for HQT), OR (2) pass the praxis core subject area tests for the subject you are going to teach (for elementary you'll need to pass the EC praxis or elementary praxis depending upon grade level, for other courses its usually more obvious), OR (3) become HQ through HOUSSE certification. For HOUSSE, the school will review your years teaching, transcripts for coursework, participation in PD, etc and give you points for each activity. If you have 100 points you are HQ. Its rare that someone who has done a variety of courses and has some teaching experience or some PD experience can't be HQ under HOUSSE. So, generally, I wouldn't worry about being HQ since you likely are and if someone says you aren't, challenge them on that and review how they decided that.

charters have to be HQT too.
one way to get HGT is to pass the Praxis in your area. Go to: https://www.ets.org/praxis

http://dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/About+DCPS/Human+Resources/Licensure+and+Highly+Qualified+Compliance

In order for teachers to be considered Highly Qualified as determined by The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), they must be teaching in the core subject area of their certification. To meet these standards, a teacher of core academic content must possess:

A Bachelor’s degree
A teaching or intern credential, and
Demonstrated core academic subject matter competence

The core academic content areas include:

Multiple/General subjects
English
Reading/Language Arts
Mathematics
Science
Foreign Languages
Civics/Government
Economics
History
Geography
Arts

NCLB does not require current teachers to return to school or get a degree in every subject they teach to demonstrate that they are highly qualified. NCLB allows these employees to provide an alternate method of evaluation called High, Objective, Uniform State Standard of Evaluation (HOUSSE). This evaluation allows experienced teachers to demonstrate subject-matter competency that recognizes, among other things, the experience, expertise, and professional training garnered over time in the profession.

A HQT has a master's degree (or equivalent hours) in his or her specialty (so a MA in English lit or a MS in Chemistry not just a MEd.).Or can be a National Board Certified Teacher.

Are you looking at DCPS or charter? The rules are different.

I'm an experienced teacher, but do not have a teaching certification/license.

The reading materials about being a "Highly Qualified Teacher," seem to say that a teaching license is a REQUIREMENT-- fair enough. But, several job listings I've read say something like: "Must meet HQT requirements. Teaching license also preferred."

What does this MEAN? If having the license is already a HQT requirement, how can it be preferred? I don't want to waste my time or employers' by applying to jobs I'm not qualified for. Can someone set me straight? Thanks!