- Cama-i, quyana tailuci!
- (Central Yup’ik)
- "Greetings, thank you for coming!"
District-Sponsored-Certificates
The Alaska Teacher Certification office issues seven types of district-sponsored certificates:
Program Enrollment Teacher
PROGRAM ENROLLMENT TEACHER CERTIFICATE
The Initial Program Enrollment certificate is for applicants who are enrolled in a state-approved teacher preparation program and sponsored by an Alaska school district.
To qualify for a Program Enrollment teacher certificate, an applicant must meet the following requirements:
- Official transcripts showing completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited university
- Verification of current enrollment in an approved teacher preparation program as verified by the Program Enrollment for and submission of official transcripts
- Verification of passing scores on an approved basic competency exam
- Verification of passing scores on an approved content area exam
- Not required for Special Education enrollees, instead Special Education enrollees require 9.0 semester hours of Special Education coursework
- Resume supporting five years of experience in the subject matter that you will be teaching
- Submission of a District Assurance Form showing an offering of a certified teaching position by an Alaska public school district.
- Completion of the four Mandatory Trainings
- Applicants must provide at least one document of verification for the completed training.
- Submission of a fingerprint card
- Complete application and fees
Endorsements placed on an Initial/Program Enrollment teacher certificate will reflect the teacher preparation program described on the Proof of Program Enrollment form.
A Program Enrollment certificate will be valid for one year, but may be renewed twice for a total of two (2) one-year extensions.
For the first one-year extension, the certificate holder must apply for an extension and submit the following items before the expiration date of the Program Enrollment certificate:
- Updated official transcripts showing progress in the program
- Updated Proof of Program Enrollment form or State Approved Program Verification form if program has been completed
- Complete extension application
For the second one-year extension, the certificate holder must apply for an extension and submit the following items before the expiration date of the Program Enrollment certificate:
- Updated official transcripts showing progress in the approved program
- Updated Proof of Program Enrollment form or State Approved Program Verification form if program has been completed
- Official transcripts showing completion of:
- Three (3) semester hours of approved Alaska studies coursework
- Three (3) semester hours of approved Alaska multicultural coursework
- Complete extension application
An Initial/Program Enrollment teacher certificate is not renewable.
Next step: Apply for a Professional, Master, or Initial Five-year Certificate
Emergency Teacher
EMERGENCY TEACHER CERTIFICATE
For applicants who are unable to satisfy one or more of the following requirements of an Initial Teaching Certificate:
- → Official transcripts showing completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited university
- → Verification of passing scores on an approved basic competency exam
- → Verification of passing scores on an approved content area exam
- → Completion of a teacher preparation program as verified by State Approved Program Verification Form for Teachers
All applicants for a district-sponsored certificate must submit the following:
- Official transcripts showing completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited university
- Completion of the four Mandatory Trainings
- Applicants must provide at least one document of verification for the completed trainings.
- District Request and Assurance Form
- Emergency Certificate Waiver Form
- Submission of a fingerprint card
- Complete application and fees
An emergency certificate is only valid during the school year that it was issued. Emergency certification requires sponsorship by a Public Alaska School District or Educational Agency that is hiring you for the upcoming school year. Emergency certificates will expire on June 30th. The requirements for a regular certificate may be waived for the current school year, with the agreement that the applicant will take the necessary steps to meeting certification requirements for the upcoming year and will apply for the next appropriate certificate. If the requirements are not met, you will not be eligible for Alaska certification and will not be eligible to hold a position in an Alaska public school. Note: You cannot hold an Emergency Certificate with a Special Education endorsement.
Next Step: Apply for the Initial 2-year or Initial Program Enrollment Teacher Certificates. A district may request an additional emergency certificate if the applicant has made progress but not completed the necessary requirements.
Limited Type B: Superintendent
LIMITED TYPE B: SUPERINTENDENT TEACHER CERTIFICATE
A Type B certificate with a superintendent endorsement requires the completion of a state-approved superintendency program from a regionally or nationally accredited university and verification of at least five (5) years of employment as a classroom teacher or administrator.
At least three of the five years must have been satisfactory employment as a teacher with a teaching certificate or comparable certificate issued by another state. At least one of the five years must have been satisfactory employment as an administrator with a Type B certificate or comparable certificate from another state.
If an applicant does not meet, these requirements they may be able to apply for the Limited Type B: Superintendent certificate. The applicant must be sponsored by an Alaska school district to gain a Limited Type B Superintendent certification. In addition, to be eligible for a Limited Type B Superintendent certificate, all applicants must submit the following:
- Official transcripts confirming a master’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited university;
- Resume showing at least five years of employment in an administrative position
- Two professional recommendations verifying length of experience and expertise;
- District Request and Assurance Form completed by school board president
- Completion of the four Mandatory Trainings
- Submission of a fingerprint card
- Complete application and fees
IMPORTANT NOTES
- A Limited Type B Superintendent certificate is valid only in the sponsoring school district.
- Meeting the requirements above will qualify the applicant for a one-year certificate that can be extended for a total of five years. To extend a Limited Type B Superintendent certificate beyond one year, the documents described below must arrive at the Teacher Certificate Office on or before the certificate’s expiration date.
To extend the one-year certificate for an additional year, the applicant must:
- Enroll in an approved superintendent endorsement program and submit a Proof-of-Program Enrollment form
- Submit official transcripts showing completion of an educator evaluation course in your program
To extend a two-year certificate for an additional year, the applicant must:
- Submit an updated official transcript showing progress toward the completion of an approved superintendent endorsement program;
- Complete three semester hours of an approved Alaska Studies course; and
- Complete three semester hours of an approved Alaska Multicultural course.
To extend a three-year certificate for an additional two years, the applicant must:
- Submit a Teacher State Approved Program Verification Form verifying completion of the approved superintendent endorsement program.
- Submit official transcripts showing completion of an educator evaluation course in your program.
Next Step: Renew the Limited Type B: Superintendent certificate
Program Enrollment Special Services
PROGRAM ENROLLMENT SPECIAL SERVICES CERTIFICATE
To qualify for a Type C: Program Enrollment certificate, an applicant must meet the following requirements:
- Completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited university;
- Current enrollment in an approved special services preparation program as verified by a Proof of Program Enrollment form and official transcripts (Program must be completed within three (3) years of the issuance of the Initial certificate).
- Completion of at least 9 semester hours of coursework
- Completion of the four Mandatory Trainings
- Offered a certified special services position by an Alaska public school district as verified by a District Request & Assurance Form
- Submission of a fingerprint card
- Complete application and fees
A Program Enrollment certificate will be valid for one year, but may be renewed twice for a total of two (2) one-year extensions.
For the first one-year extension, the certificate holder must apply for an extension and submit the following items before the expiration date of the Program Enrollment certificate:
- Updated official transcripts showing progress in the program
- Updated Proof of Program Enrollment form or Teacher State Approved Program Verification form if program has been completed
For the second one-year extension, the certificate holder must apply for an extension and submit the following items before the expiration date of the Program Enrollment certificate:
- Updated official transcripts showing progress in the approved program
- Updated Proof of Program Enrollment form or State Approved Program Verification form if program has been completed
- Official transcripts showing completion of:
- Three (3) semester hours of approved Alaska studies coursework
- Three (3) semester hours of approved Alaska multicultural coursework
Endorsements placed on a Type C: Program Enrollment teacher certificate will reflect the teacher preparation program described on the Proof of Program Enrollment form.
Next Step: Apply for a Regular Special Services certificate.
Emergency Administrator
EMERGENCY ADMINISTRATOR TEACHER CERTIFICATE
For applicants who are unable to satisfy one or more of the following requirements of an Initial Type B Administrative Certificate (Provisional):
- → Resume showing three (3) years’ experience as a certificated teacher or special service provider
- → Completion of an approved educator preparation program in school administration
- → Official transcripts showing Master’s degree or higher from a regionally or nationally accredited institution
To qualify, an applicant must meet the following requirements:
- Official transcripts showing completion of highest degree attained from a regionally or nationally accredited university
- District Request and Assurance Form completed by Superintendent or Chief School Administrator
- Emergency Certificate Waiver Form
- Completion of the four Mandatory Trainings
- Applicants must provide at least one document of verification for the completed training.
- Submission of a fingerprint card
- Complete application and fees
An emergency certificate is only valid during the school year that it was issued. Emergency certification requires sponsorship by a Public Alaska School District or Educational Agency that is hiring you for the upcoming school year. Emergency certificates will expire on June 30th. The requirements for a regular certificate may be waived for the current school year, with the agreement that the applicant will take the necessary steps to meeting certification requirements for the upcoming year and will apply for the next appropriate certificate. If the requirements are not met, you will not be eligible for Alaska certification and will not be eligible to hold a position in an Alaska public school.
Next Step: Apply for the Type B: Provisional 2-year or the Type B: Regular 5-year certificate. A district may request an additional emergency certificate if the applicant has made progress but not completed the necessary requirements.
Limited Type M: Language & Culture
LIMITED TYPE M: LANGUAGE & CULTURE TEACHER CERTIFICATE
To qualify, an applicant must meet the following requirements:
- Documentation of four (4) years’ experience demonstrating competency in an Alaska Native language or a minimum of four (4) years’ experience involving an Alaska Native culture, as determined by the school district.
- A resume verified by the school district is sufficient.
- Two letters of recommendation verifying expertise
- Official transcripts
- Completion of the four Mandatory Trainings
- Applicants must provide at least one document of verification for the completed training.
- Submission of a fingerprint card
- District Request and Assurance Form
- Complete application and fees
Next Step: Renew the Limited Type M:Language & Culture certificate
Limited Type M: Military Science
LIMITED TYPE M: MILITARY SCIENCE TEACHER CERTIFICATE
To qualify, an applicant must meet the following requirements:
- Meet the criteria of the United States Department of Defense to be a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps instructor.
- Verified by the local school district
- Documentation demonstrating competency in the military science area
- A resume verified by the school district is sufficient.
- Two letters of recommendation verifying expertise
- Official transcripts
- Completion of the four Mandatory Trainings
- Applicants must provide at least one document of verification for the completed training.
- Submission of a fingerprint card
- District Request and Assurance Form
- Complete application and fees
Next Step: Renew the Limited Type M: Military Science Teacher certificate
Limited Type M: Career-Technical
LIMITED TYPE M: CAREER-TECHNICAL TEACHER CERTIFICATE
To qualify, an applicant must meet the following requirements:
- Documentation of four (4) or more years’ experience demonstrating full-time work experience in a trade or vocational pursuit, no more than two (2) years of which is formal training in a trade school or technical institute
- A resume verified by the school district is sufficient.
- Two letters of recommendation verifying expertise
- Official transcripts
- Completion of the four Mandatory Trainings
- Applicants must provide at least one document of verification for the completed training.
- Submission of a fingerprint card
- District Request and Assurance Form
- Complete application and fees
Limited Type W: Immersion World Language
LIMITED TYPE W: IMMERSION WORLD LANGUAGE TEACHER CERTIFICATE
To qualify, an applicant must meet the following requirements:
- Documentation of experience demonstrating:
- Official transcripts
- Completion of the four Mandatory Trainings
- Applicants must provide at least one document of verification for the completed training.
- Submission of a fingerprint card
- District Request and Assurance Form
- Complete application and fees
A Limited Type W: Immersion World Language Teacher certificate will be valid for one year, but may be extended once for four additional years, making it a 5 year certificate.
The certificate holder must apply for an extension and submit the following items before the expiration date of the certificate:
- Updated District Request and Assurance Form
- Complete extension application
Next Step: Renew the Limited Type W: Immersion World Language Teacher Certificate