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Teacher Certification

Important

To mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission, the Michael J. Burns (Goldbelt) building hours will change and building access will be limited to employees. Access for visitors will be by appointment only. Please call (907) 465-2831, if you need to make an appointment.

Teacher Education and Certification Office works with school districts and universities to grant educator certifications, approve teacher preparation programs, and administer teacher recognition programs. It is committed to support the State Board of Education and Early Development's strategic priority to ensure high-quality educators for Alaska's children.

Teacher Certification Updates:

  • The Teacher Certification phone hours have temporarily changed. We are answering calls between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. In an effort to lower the number of calls we receive, if you are calling about the status of your application please, first check the Applicants Entrance on our website. You will need to create a new profile if it is your first time using this service.

  • Presently, Fed Ex is not delivering or picking up packages to the Teacher Certification Office. Whenever possible, please use USPS for packages. Should Fed Ex be the only option, applicants sending packages are solely responsible for ensuring drop off.
    We realize that this is inconvenient. We are exploring alternatives.

  • With the expiration of the Declaration of Public Health Disaster Emergency, the Teacher Certification Office will no longer issue or extend certificates as allowed under the Governor’s Order of Suspension.  The new emergency certificate application is now available to districts experiencing difficulty filling their certified positions under the district-sponsored certificate section of the Application, Checklists, & Forms page.

General Information

Requirements

Online Services

Responsibilities of Educators Holding Alaskan Certificates

  • Adhere to the Alaska Code of Ethics of the Education Profession.
  • Notify the Department of Education & Early Development of name and/or any address changes (4AAC 12.415).
  • Know your certificate's effective and expiration dates. Your effective date is the date the complete application packet is received by Teacher Education and Certification. The Department of Education & Early Development does not notify individuals of impending expiration dates. Visit the Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
  • Meet renewal requirements before your renewal date.
  • Keep abreast of any changes in certification regulations.
  • Notify a school district within 90 days of hire, of any sick leave that you expect to transfer from previous employment. (AS 14.14.107) Sick leave can only be transferred if the teacher's service has been continuous within the Alaska public school system. Continuous service is defined as up to the last day of a school term and beginning within 30 days of the start of the next school term. (4 AAC 15.040(a)(2) & 4 AAC 15.900(2))

Processing Status

Today's date is 2/24/2021.

Currently, the Teacher Certification Office is completing the:

  • First review of mail received on 2/19/21.
  • Second review of completed applications as of 2/11/21.

Teacher Education Programs

How Are We Doing?

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Contact Us

Telephone: (907) 465-2831
Fax: (907) 465-2441
E-mail: tcwebmail@alaska.gov

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