Source: https://www.alsde.edu/sec/ec/Pages/iwanttobeteacher-faq.aspx?navtext=*CERTIFICATION+HELP*
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​​Educator Certification > I Want to be a Teacher: General Information
This page helps individuals decide which certification approach to use.
Alabama does not offer a certification approach which allows an individual to only take a test to obtain certification.
​https://www.alsde.edu/sec/ec/Misc%20Docs/Certification%20Pathways.pdf
General Information 8/6/2019 10:13 AM Where can I find all of the available certification pathways?
Individuals who hold a valid professional educator certificate issued by another state, the District of Columbia, a United States Territory, or the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) may wish to apply for Alabama certification through Certificate Reciprocity. Along with holding a valid professional educator certificate, other ancillary requirements (background clearance, testing, etc.) must be met.
For Certificate Reciprocity applications and all-inclusive information click here. Application Part 1 of 2 serves as a summary of information and provides a checklist of items to be submitted.
General Information 10/3/2018 11:25 AM I hold a valid professional educator certificate from ANOTHER STATE.
Alabama certification is not offered on the basis of educator preparation programs completed at non-Alabama institutions. Individuals who complete programs at a non-Alabama institution, must first obtain a valid professional educator certificate from another state, the District of Columbia, a United States Territory, or the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) and then apply based on Certificate Reciprocity.
Individuals who hold a valid professional educator certificate issued by another state, the District of Columbia, a United States Territory, or the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) may wish to apply for Alabama certification through Certificate Reciprocity. Along with holding a valid professional certification, other ancillary requirements (background clearance, testing, etc.) must be met.
For Certificate Reciprocity applications and all-inclusive information click here. Application Part 1 of 2 at that link serves as a summary of information and provides a checklist of items to be submitted.
General Information 10/3/2018 11:28 AM I completed an educator preparation program that leads to certification at a NON-ALABAMA institution.
An individual whose degree was earned at a college or university in another country that is not a United States (U.S.) Territory must obtain an evaluation of his/her credentials from a foreign credential evaluation agency approved by the Alabama State Department of Education.
An individual who has completed an educator preparation program in a teaching field may apply for Alabama professional educator certification through the Foreign Credentials Approach.
For Foreign Credential applications and all-inclusive information, including a list of approved foreign credential evaluation agencies click here. Application Part 1 of 2 serves as a summary of information and provides a checklist of items to be submitted.
General Information 10/3/2018 11:25 AM I earned a degree from a college or university that is OUTSIDE of the United States.
Individuals employed with an Alabama public school system should contact their Human Resource Office to determine eligibility for the ALSDE's Online Renewal process.
Substitute Licenses cannot be renewed. A new license must be requested by the school system.
To renew a Professional Educator Certificate click here.
To renew a Professional Leadership Certificate click here.
To renew a Career and Technical Certificate click here.
To renew a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Certificate click here.
General Information 10/3/2018 11:25 AM I need to RENEW my Alabama certificate (continue my valid certificate OR reinstate my expired certificate).
An individual cannot add administration, instructional leadership, library media, school counseling, or any other instructional support area through these options.
Additional Teaching Field: Career and Technical Areas
An individual may seek additional certification in certain technical education program areas or in *health science if he/she:
holds a valid Alabama Professional Educator Certificate in a teaching field AND
verifies appropriate classroom teaching experience in grades P-12 AND
passes the appropriate Alabama State Department of Education approved Occupational Proficiency Assessment.
*For the area of health science an active Alabama license in a registered nursing, paramedical, or allied health specialty must also be held.
For Additional Teaching Field applications and all-inclusive information click here. Application Part 1 of 2 serves as a summary of information and provides a checklist of items to be submitted.
An individual may seek additional certification in certain teaching field(s) if he/she:
passes the appropriate Alabama prescribed Praxis subject area test.
For Certification Based on Test applications and all-inclusive information click here. Application Part 1 of 2 serves as a summary of information and provides a checklist of items to be submitted.
An individual may seek additional certification as a Cooperative Education Coordinator if he/she:
holds a valid Alabama Professional Educator Certificate in a career and technical education teaching field AND
verifies credit earned for an approved cooperative education coordinator preparation course at an Alabama institution with a State-approved educator preparation program in a career and technical teaching field AND
verifies the appropriate classroom teaching experience in career and technical education in grades 6-12.
For Cooperative Education Coordinator applications and all-inclusive information click here. Application Part 1 of 2 serves as a summary of information and provides a checklist of items to be submitted.
An individual may seek additional certification in Driver and Traffic Safety Education if he/she:
holds a valid Alabama Professional Educator Certificate or Alabama Professional Leadership Certificate AND
verifies credit earned for the required basic and advanced driver education coursework.
For Driver and Traffic Safety Education applications and all-inclusive information click here. Application Part 1 of 2 serves as a summary of information and provides a checklist of items to be submitted.
General Information 10/3/2018 11:25 AM I hold a valid Alabama certificate in a teaching field and I want to ADD another teaching field.
The Substitute License CANNOT be requested by an individual.
A substitute license may ONLY be requested by an employing Alabama county/city superintendent or eligible non-public/private school administrator.
An individual must have graduated from high school or completed an Alabama State Department of Education approved equivalent.
Substitute Licenses cannot be renewed. A new license must be requested by the school system or eligible nonpublic/private school.
For the Substitute License application click here.
General Information 10/3/2018 11:25 AM I would like to be a SUBSTITUTE Teacher.
​To earn a Professional Educator Certificate in the areas of early childhood, elementary, or special education an Alabama educator preparation program must be completed. An individual should contact certification personnel at the for ALABAMA college or university for unconditional admission requirements.
Individuals who have been unconditionally admitted to an Alternative Class A (master's) Program at an ALABAMA college or university may be employed on an alternative certificate while completing the program. An Alabama county/city superintendent or eligible nonpublic/private school administrator may request an Interim Employment Certificate (IEC) to facilitate employment. The school system or eligible nonpublic/private school in which employment is desired should be contacted.
For the IEC quick reference guide click here.
For the IEC applications and all-inclusive information click here.
An IEC is not available to individuals attending a college or university outside of Alabama.
If a master's or higher degree is already held, an individual must still contact certification personnel at the Alabama college or university about completing requirements of the educator preparation program.
General Information 9/13/2019 3:05 PM My background is not in education, but I would like to teach early childhood or elementary education.
​To earn a Professional Educator Certificate (grades P-12) in a language other than English, dance, music, theatre, or visual arts, the following alternative approach options are available:
The Provisional Certificate in a Teaching Field (PCTF) Approach is a three year alternative approach that requires certain degree prerequisites are met and involves the completion of testing, coursework, and on the job training. These certificates must be requested by an employing Alabama county/city superintendent or eligible nonpublic/private school administrator. An individual should contact the school system or eligible nonpublic/private school in which employment is desired for information concerning eligibility requirements.
For the PCTF quick reference guide click here.
For the PCTF applications and all-inclusive information click here.
An individual may complete an educator preparation program at an ALABAMA college or university. The certification personnel at the ALABAMA college or university must be contacted for unconditional admission requirements.
Individuals who have been unconditionally admitted to an Alternative Class A (master's) Program may be employed on an alternative certificate while completing the program. An Alabama county/city superintendent or eligible nonpublic/private school administrator may request an Interim Employment Certificate (IEC) to facilitate employment. The school system or eligible nonpublic/private school in which employment is desired should be contacted.
General Information 9/13/2019 3:06 PM My background is not in education, but I would like to teach a language other than English, dance, music, theatre, or visual arts.
​To earn a Professional Educator Certificate (grades 6-12) in an area of English language arts, health, mathematics, physical education, science, or social studies the following options are available:
The Provisional Certificate in a Teaching Field (PCTF) Approach is a three year alternative approach that certain degree prerequisites are met and involves the completion of testing, coursework, and on the job training. These certificates must be requested by an employing Alabama county/city superintendent or eligible nonpublic/private school administrator. An individual should contact the school system or eligible nonpublic/private school in which employment is desired for information concerning eligibility requirements.
General Information 9/13/2019 3:06 PM My background is not in education, but I would like to teach an area of English language arts, health, mathematics, physical education, science, or social studies at the HIGH SCHOOL level.
​To earn a Middle School Professional Educator Certificate (grades 4-8) in English language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies, the following option is available:
General Information 9/13/2019 2:50 PM My background is not in education, but I would like to teach English language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies at the MIDDLE SCHOOL level.
​To earn a Professional Educator Certificate in the an area of special education an Alabama educator preparation program must be completed. An individual should contact certification personnel at the for ALABAMA college or university for unconditional admission requirements.
An individual who holds a valid National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Certificate may meet requirements for Alabama certification.
For NBPTS applications and all-inclusive information click here. Application Part 1 of 2 serves as a summary of information and provides a checklist of items to be submitted.
General Information 9/13/2019 3:06 PM I would like to teach SPECIAL EDUCATION.
The Degree Equivalent Certificates in Technical Education require a combination of at least a high school diploma, work experience in an industry related field (e.g., plumbing, welding, HVACR) and verification of occupational proficiency in the industry related field. The initial Degree Equivalent Certificate may ONLY be requested by an employing Alabama county/city superintendent.
The Degree Equivalent Certificates in Health Science require a combination of a least an associate's degree, work experience in a healthcare related field and verification of an active Alabama State Department of Education-approved professional license. The initial Degree Equivalent Certificate in Health Science may ONLY be requested by an employing Alabama county/city superintendent.
The initial Degree Equivalent Certificate in Technical Education and the initial Degree Equivalent Certificate in Health Science are valid for a minimum of two scholastic years and cannot be continued, renewed, reinstated, or reissued.
All subsequent Degree Equivalent Certificates (Technical Education or Health Science) are valid from date of issuance through the remainder of the same scholastic year, and for the next five scholastic years.
For the Degree Equivalent Technical Education applications and all-inclusive information click here and for the Degree Equivalent Health Science applications and all-inclusive information click here. Application Part 1 of 2 serves as a summary of information and provides a checklist of items to be submitted.
The Career and Technical Education Temporary Certificate cannot be requested by an individual. The Career and Technical Education Temporary Certificate may ONLY be requested by an employing Alabama county/city superintendent or eligible non-public/private school administrator.
The Career and Technical Education Temporary Certificate is valid for no more than one school year and cannot be continued, renewed, reinstated, or reissued.
For the Career and Technical Education Temporary application click here.
You may speak with the certification officer at an Alabama college or university about completing the requirements of one of their educator preparation programs that leads to certification.
For information on available educator preparation programs and contact information for each college and university click here.
The Substitute License cannot be requested by an individual. A substitute license may ONLY be requested by an employing Alabama county/city superintendent or eligible non-public/private school administrator for an individual who has graduated from high school or completed an Alabama State Department of Education approved equivalent.
General Information 10/3/2018 11:25 AM My background is not in education, but I would like to teach an area in CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION. I DO NOT have at least a bachelor's degree.
​On the way...
General Information 10/3/2018 11:26 AM My background is not in education, but I would like to teach an area in CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION. I have at least a bachelor's degree.
An individual who holds a valid Alabama Professional Educator or Professional Leadership Certificate, may speak with the certification officer at an Alabama college or university about completing a Library Media State-approved program.
For information on available Library Media programs and contact information for each college and university click here.
If you would like to be employed as a Library Media Specialist, while completing the program, the Interim Employment Certificate (IEC) may be an option for you. An Alabama county/city superintendent or eligible nonpublic/private school administrator may request an IEC to facilitate employment for individuals who have been unconditionally admitted to a Traditional Class A (master's) Library Media Program at an ALABAMA college or university. The school system or eligible non-public/private school in which employment is desired should be contacted.
The Provisional Certificate in Library Media Approach is a two year alternative approach that requires certain degree/certificate prerequisites are met and involves the completion of testing and on the job training. These certificates must be requested by an employing Alabama county/city superintendent or eligible non-public school administrator. An individual should contact the school system or eligible nonpublic/private school in which employment is desired for information concerning eligibility requirements.
For the PCLS quick reference guide click here.
For the PCLS applications and all-inclusive information click here.
General Information 9/13/2019 3:07 PM What are my options to obtain certification as a LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALIST?
An individual who holds a valid Alabama Professional Educator or Professional Leadership Certificate, may speak with the certification officer at an Alabama college or university about completing a School Counseling State-approved program.
For information on available School Counseling programs and contact information for each college and university click here.
If you would like to be employed as a School Counselor, while completing the program, the Interim Employment Certificate (IEC) may be an option for you. An Alabama county/city superintendent or eligible nonpublic/private school administrator may request an IEC to facilitate employment for individuals who have been unconditionally admitted to a Traditional Class A (master's) School Counseling Program at an ALABAMA college or university. The school system or eligible non-public/private school in which employment is desired should be contacted.
The Provisional Certificate in School Counseling Approach is a two year alternative approach that requires certain degree/certificate prerequisites are met and involves the completion of testing and on the job training. These certificates must be requested by an employing Alabama county/city superintendent or eligible nonpublic/private school administrator. An individual should contact the school system or eligible nonpublic/private school in which employment is desired for information concerning eligibility requirements.
For CACREP applications and all-inclusive information click here. Application Part 1 of 2 serves as a summary of information and provides a checklist of items to be submitted.
An individual who holds a valid School Counseling National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Certificate may meet requirements for Alabama certification in school counseling.
An individual who holds a valid professional educator certificate issued by another state, the District of Columbia, a United States Territory, or the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) may wish to apply for Alabama certification through Certificate Reciprocity. Along with holding a valid professional educator certificate, other ancillary requirements (background clearance, testing, etc.) must be met.
General Information 9/13/2019 3:07 PM What are my options to obtain certification as a SCHOOL COUNSELOR?
The Speech/Language Pathology Assistant Certificate may ONLY be requested by an employing Alabama county/city superintendent for an individual who has earned at least a bachelor’s degree (in speech-language pathology or communication sciences and disorders with a speech-language emphasis) and has met testing requirements. This certificate does not lead to Alabama professional certification.
For Speech Language Pathology Assistant applications and all-inclusive information click here.
The Speech-Language Pathology Temporary Certificate may ONLY be requested by an employing Alabama county/city superintendent or eligible nonpublic/private school. The Speech-Language Pathology Temporary Certificate Approach is available for an individual to temporarily serve as a Speech-Language Pathologist in grades P-12. A Speech-Language Pathology Temporary Certificate may be available to an individual who has:
completed at least a master’s degree level speech-language pathology program that was accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, AND
satisfactorily completed the CAA-prescribed Praxis II test.
For Speech-Language Pathology Temporary applications and all-inclusive information click here.
The Speech-Language Pathology Professional Educator Certificate Approach is available for an individual to serve as a Speech-Language Pathologist in grades P-12. An individual who is licensed as a speech language pathologist by a state board of examiners in speech pathology and audiology may meet requirements for Alabama certification.
For Speech-Language Pathology Professional Educator Certificate applications and all-inclusive information click here.
General Information 10/3/2018 11:26 AM What are my options to obtain certification as a SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST?
An individual who completed a State-approved Educator Preparation Program at an Alabama college or university must make application for certification through that college or university.
The certification officer at the college or university should be contacted for assistance. Contact information can be found here.
General Information 10/3/2018 11:26 AM I completed a program that leads to certification at an ALABAMA college or university.
​An individual who holds a valid National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Certificate may meet requirements for Alabama certification.
General Information 10/3/2018 11:26 AM I hold a valid NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATE.