Teacher Certification FAQ

What is an example of a minor traffic violation?

Examples of minor traffic violations are a parking or speeding ticket.

Is pleading no contest or pleading guilty considered a conviction?

Yes, pleading no contest or pleading guilty is considered a conviction. A detailed explanation is required for any situation where you pleaded no contest or guilty to a criminal charge.

What information should be included in the detailed statement required in the "Background Information" section of the application?

A detailed statement should include the dates, the circumstances, and the current status of the conviction, violation, charge, warrant, action, investigation, inquiry or denial. The circumstances should include the what, where, when, why and how of the incident that resulted in the conviction, violation, charge, warrant, action, investigation, inquiry or denial.

Why is a detailed statement concerning a conviction, violation, charge, warrant, action, investigation, inquiry or denial required?

By providing a detailed statement, an applicant expedites the application process. The Professional Teaching Practices Commission is required to investigate any criminal or questionable actions that are uncovered by the Department of Public Safety (DPS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or other jurisdictions, but not reveal in the application.  The investigation includes contacting the applicant by telephone or through email.  If the applicant provides a detailed statement that aligns to the findings from the DPS, FBI, and other jurisdictions, those additional contacts do not need to be made, and the processing time is shortened.

If I don't have passing scores on a basic competency exam (i.e. Praxis I) can I still qualify for an Initial teaching certificate?

If you do not have passing scores on an approved basic competency exam, but you have a valid, regular teaching certificate issued by another state (United States only), you may qualify for a one-year Initial teaching certificate. For more information see the Intial Teacher Out-of-State Checklist at https://education.alaska.gov/teachercertification/forms/Initial-Out-of-State-Teacher-Checklist.docx and the Standard Application at https://education.alaska.gov/TeacherCertification/forms/standard-application.docx. 

If you have previously held an Alaska certificate, you may qualify for an Initial/Reemployment. For more information, please see the Teacher Re-employment Application & Checklist, located at  https://education.alaska.gov/TeacherCertification/forms/Teacher-Re-Employment-Application.docx. 

What are the passing scores for the CBEST exam?

The passing scores for the California Basic Educational Skills Test is a total of 123 or higher with no individual scores less than 37. More information is available at https://education.alaska.gov/teachercertification/praxis.

What tests are accepted to meet the basic competency requirement for certification?

The complete list of the basic competency exams accepted in Alaska is located at https://education.alaska.gov/teachercertification/praxis. 

If you have taken an exam required for certification in another state that included individual tests for reading, writing, and mathematics that is not on the approved list, you may submit information concerning the exam and your scores to tcwebmail@alaska.gov for review.

Can I combine section scores from different basic competency examinations to create a set of passing scores?

Yes, you may combine exams that have scores for the individual tests in Math, Reading, and Writing. Scores from sections of different basic competency exams may be combined to form a set of passing scores.

What are the passing scores for the individual sections of the Praxis I?

Qualifying scores for the reading, writing, and math sections of the Praxis I are as follows:

Reading 175

Writing 174

Math 173

More information is available at https://education.alaska.gov/teachercertification/praxis.

Does a district have the authority to employ an individual certified with only a Type C Special Service Provider Certificate to teach a class?

No,  4 AAC 12.355(c) states "A special services certificate does not qualify the holder to be assigned as a regular classroom teacher.

What certificate(s) and endorsement(s) are required for an individual to be employed as a district's Director of Special Education?

To be employed solely to administrator a special education program (i.e. be the Director of Special Education), an individual must possess one of the following combinations:  1) A Type B administrative certificate and a teacher certificate endorsed for special education or a related service area;  2) A Type B certificate endorsed for special education or for a related services area; or 3) A Type F special education administrator certificate.  4 AAC 12.350

Can I apply for Alaska certification without having taken the required Alaska studies and Alaska multicultural coursework?

If you are new to Alaska, you will have two years to satisfy the coursework requirement in Alaska studies and Alaska multicultural. If you have not met those requirements when you first apply, you will only be eligible for an Initial or Provisional certificate.

Please note that teachers, administrators, and special service providers must satisfy the coursework requirement within two years of the issue date of their Initial or Provisional certificate. If the requirement is not met in those two years, the individual will no longer be eligible to hold a certified position in an Alaska public school.

Where can I find the approved courses that satisfy the Alaska studies and Alaska multicultural certification requirements?

The list of approved Alaska studies courses is available at https://education.alaska.gov/teachercertification/alaska-studies.

The list of approved Alaska multicultural courses is available at https://education.alaska.gov/teachercertification/culture.

I live in rural Alaska. Where can I get my fingerprints rolled?

Check with your local law enforcement officer, the Village Public Safety Office (V.P.S.O.), Alaska State Trooper, or city police department. If you need a fingerprint card, request one from tcwebmail@alaska.gov.

Does Alaska accept live scan fingerprint cards?

Yes, Alaska accepts fingerprint cards that have the scanned fingerprints printed on the card.

I have recently had a background check completed in another state. Am I still required to submit a fingerprint card with my application?

Yes, you will need to submit a fingerprint card with your application for Alaska certification. Our laws require that the Alaska Department of Public Safety completes the background check and provides that information directly to our Teacher Certification Office. We are not allowed to accept background clearances from other states or entities.

What fields on the fingerprint card or FD-258 must be filled in prior to submitting it to the Teacher Certification Office?

Please refer to the instructions for the fingerprint card that is located at https://education.alaska.gov/teachercertification/forms/Fingerprint-Card-Instructions.docx.

All of the fields highlighted in yellow on the sample fingerprint card locate at https://education.alaska.gov/teachercertification/fingerprints must be filled in correctly in order for the Department of Public Safety to process the card.

What does the FD-258 fingerprint card look like?

An example of the FD-258 fingerprint card is located at https://education.alaska.gov/teachercertification/fingerprints. 

What kind of fingerprint card is accepted by Alaska?

Alaska's Department of Public Safety uses the standard FD-258 fingerprint card. It will also accept cards arranged in a similar manner. For more information, please see http://education.alaska.gov/TeacherCertification/fingerprints.html

I don't live in Alaska. Where can I get my fingerprints rolled?

Check your local phone book for fingerprinting services, or alternatively search your local area through an online search engine (i.e. Google) for fingerprinting services.

I'm renewing my teaching certificate. Do I need to submit a fingerprint card with my application?

If you are employed in an Alaska school district in a certified position, you do not need to submit a fingerprint card with your application.  Instead, you will need to submit employment verification.  Employment verification can be a photocopy of your contract for the current school year, salary placement information for the current school year, or a letter from your district office that verifies your employment. 

If you are not employed in an Alaska school district in a certified position, you will need to submit a fingerprint card with your renewal application. If you teach at AVTEC or work at the Department of Education & Early Development, you will need to submit a fingerprint card with your renewal application.

More information about fingerprints and employment verification is available at http://education.alaska.gov/TeacherCertification/fingerprints.html.

I have a valid out-of-state, regular teaching certificate. Can I teach in an Alaska public school with just my valid out-of-state teaching certificate?

No. In Alaska, an individual must hold a valid Alaska teaching certificate in order to be employed as a teacher in a public school district.

More information about the various types of teaching certificates is available at https://education.alaska.gov/teachercertification/certification/teaching-certificates.

Apply online here.

I hold a valid, regular teaching issued by another state and have been teaching for at least two years. Am I eligible to apply for the Out-of-State Professional?

If you have a valid, regular certificate issued by another state and have two years of teaching experience, you should be able to qualify for an Out-of-State Professional Teaching certificate.

More information about the various types of teaching certificates is available at https://education.alaska.gov/teachercertification/certification/teaching-certificates. 

Apply online here.

I received my Initial teaching certificate based on my valid out-of-state teaching certificate. My certificate is only valid for a little more than two years. What do I need to provide the Teacher Certification Office to extend my certificate?

To extend your certificate, you will need to need to complete an approved Alaska studies course and an approved Alaska multicultural course.  Before the expiration of your certificate, the official transcripts showing the completed courses will need to be submitted through TEACH-AK located here.

The list of approved Alaska studies courses is available at https://education.alaska.gov/teachercertification/alaska-studies.

The list of approved Alaska multicultural courses is available at https://education.alaska.gov/teachercertification/culture.”

More information about the Out-of-State Professional Certificate is available here

I completed most of my college-level coursework and my preparation program outside of the United States. This is the first time I have attempted to become certified to teach or work in a public school in the United States. What do I need to do to qualify for an Alaska certificate?

You will need to do the following:

1) Have your foreign transcripts reviewed by an approved foreign evaluation agency (a list is available at http://education.alaska.gov/TeacherCertification/forms/Foreign_Evaluation_Info.pdf); 

2) Obtain a social security number (information is available at http://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/);

3) Earn passing scores on the basic competency exam (a list is available at http://education.alaska.gov/TeacherCertification/praxis.html);

4) Have your fingerprints rolled or scanned onto an FD-258 or similiar fingerprint card (more information is available at (http://education.alaska.gov/TeacherCertification/fingerprints.html); and

5) Complete and submit the application (available at http://education.alaska.gov/TeacherCertification/forms/initial.pdf) with all of the required documents and payment.

If you applying to be a special service provider, the application of the Initial Type C is located at http://education.alaska.gov/TeacherCertification/forms/initial.pdf

What is a foreign evaluation?

A foreign evaluation is a review of transcripts from a college or university outside of the United States. The evaluation is completed by an agency, approved by the Teacher Certification Office, capable of determining the educational system of the country where the college or university is located. 

The foreign evaluation report or credential evaluation report must include the following:

+A summary of the degree equivalency including the equivalency in US semester hours and grade equivalents(if applicable) ?

+Course-by-course analysis, including course levels and grades ?

+Overall GPA (based on the 4.0 scale) ?

+Practice teaching in the area of specialty (if applicable)

A foreign evaluation can serve as both transcripts and the institutional recommendation requirements for the purpose of satisfying certification requirements. A list of approved foreign evaluation agencies are available at http://education.alaska.gov/TeacherCertification/forms/Foreign_Evaluation_Info.pdf.

Is my certificate eligible for renewal or reinstatement?

Only Alaska certificates issued for five or more years are eligible for renewal or reinstatement?

The following types of certificates may be renewed or reinstated:

+Professional teacher,

+Master teacher,

+Administrative Type-B Regular, and

+Special Service Providers Type-C Regular

+Type M and Type M-CTE (By district request)

What is the difference between renewal and reinstatement?

A renewal of a five year certificate occurs prior to the expiration date of the certificate. A five-year certificate holder may submit the renewal application up to one year prior to the expiration of the five-year certificate. The effective or issue date of the renewed certificate will be the date the previous certificate expired.

A reinstatement of a five-year certificate occurs after the expiration date of the certificate.  An applicant has one year from the expiration date of the five-year certificate to apply to reinstate the certificate. The one year is considered the reinstatement period. 

During the reinstatement period, the applicant is not certified and may not work in a position requiring the certificate. When the Teacher Certification Office receives a complete reinstatement application and all the supporting materials, the applicant regains certification and is eligible for employment in an Alaska public school. The reinstated certificate effective or issue date is the date the complete reinstatement application packet was received by the Teacher Certification Office.

More information concerning renewal and reinstatement can be found at http://education.alaska.gov/TeacherCertification/forms/ReneworReinstateCertificates.pdf.