The primary purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of teacher retention to teacher education programs and state-mandated teacher certification examinations (PD exam). Identified participants completed either a traditional field-based teacher education program or emergency permit program and had passed a professional development examination for certification of educators. A point-biserial correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between the following variable and teacher retention: passing score on professional development examination. A phi coefficient was used to determine the relationship between the following variable and teacher retention: teacher education program completed. The results of the study indicated no substantial relationship occurred between the selected variables and teacher retention. (Contains 3 tables.)