Country edition: USA Beta
Financial Services · Accounting

Bank teller: high school diploma, background check, training on the job

Tellers typically need a high school diploma and may need to pass a background check; a head teller or another experienced teller trains them after hiring. No license is needed.

For: Friendly, patient, accurate people who are comfortable handling cash and helping customers.

See the roadmap Bank Teller guide

Route 1: Diploma → background check → on-the-job training Typical

Some tellers take college courses or have a degree, but this is not typically required.

  1. Start here

    High school diploma or equivalent

    BLS
    Tellers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source
    GED or HiSET

  2. Hiring

    Background check

    BLS
    Tellers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source

  3. On the job

    Training by a head teller or experienced teller

    Balancing cash drawers, verifying signatures, the bank's software and its products.

    BLS
    Tellers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source

  4. Goal

    Bank or credit union teller

    BLS
    Tellers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source

Route 2: Teller → head teller, loan officer or sales Moving up

Experienced tellers may become head tellers or move to supervisory, managerial or sales positions.

  1. Start here

    Experienced teller

    BLS
    Tellers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source

  2. Next

    Head teller, supervisory or managerial position

    BLS
    Tellers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source

  3. Goal

    Another occupation, such as loan officer, or sales

    BLS
    Tellers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    20 Oct 2026
    View source
    Loan officer

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Back to the full Bank Teller guide

What the job is, BLS pay and job outlook, and how to become one.

← Bank Teller
Every step links to the official page it came from (regulators, licensing boards, the law), checked 20 Oct 2026. State and city licensing rules change: confirm with the board where you will work before you pay any fee. Education Margdarshan does not recommend paid courses. All careers →