Alternative Teacher Licensure

[rlw74]

Considering the importance of such a job, I'd say it's a quite simple process.  Fill out a few forms and take one 16 week course ($750.00).  
Less complicated than earning another degree, I'd say.

It seemed simple when I first started researching it, but there seems to be a lot of extra steps that have been added - especially after the initial licensure. Also, it seems alternative licensure is only for certain subjects. I need to pass all the OAEs too before I start the application process. Fortunately, study.com has courses I could take. The $750 course (which might be a lot higher now - I've seen $1700 from a few of the approved schools) also requires student teaching observation and then there is 4 year process for observation in each subject area and a comprehensive test in the 2nd year of teaching. PDI can't be started until after employment starts - and I don't know if or when I would find a job. So the timeline seems a bit tricky. I would need to be sure I could finish the 16 week course at a time school is in session so I could get the observation in and make sure I have employment secured before starting the additional 12 hours needed after that course. I have an appointment with the Department of Ed tomorrow so I hope to learn more.

Did you go through the process and have trouble finding a job? Did you study for a specific subject? How difficult are the OAEs? I'm hoping it is something I could pursue without going back to school. Some states like Texas and California seem to have a better process than Ohio. I would love to talk to someone who has gone through the process here.