Certification

• Application Instructions for Initial Certification
• Application for Initial Certification
• Idaho Certification Manual

 

The Idaho State Department of Education's Bureau of Certification and Professional Standards administers regulations and procedures that have been established to evaluate the credentials of prospective educators to ensure that they meet specified preparation standards and requirements.

If you have completed a teacher-preparation program, Idaho welcomes competent, caring, qualified educators to apply for certification. This process usually begins with a transcript review (for those who have completed an approved teacher-preparation program or hold a teaching certificate or license from another state). The process for obtaining and renewing Idaho educator certification varies depending upon a number of factors, which may include:

* Whether the candidate has completed an accredited teacher- preparation program
* Whether the candidate currently holds a valid teaching certificate or license in another state
* Whether the candidate has previously held a certification or license that is now expired
* Whether the candidate has completed Idaho-specific requirements which might include the Idaho Technology Competency Assessment, Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Course (for K-8 assignments), and the appropriate Praxis II assessments.

In some cases, an Idaho Interim Certificate (valid for up to 3 years) can be granted for those teachers coming from another state, to allow time to complete any Idaho-specific requirements or certificate deficiencies. This is a one-time-only certificate and should only be requested when the applicant is ready to begin employment in Idaho.

If you have questions about the certification/application process, please call the Bureau of Certification at: (208) 332-6880, Monday through Friday, 11:30am-5:00pm.

 

• Application for Renewal of Certificate
• Checklist for Renewal Process

 

IDAHO STATE BOARD of EDUCATION RULE (IDAPA 08, Title 02, Chapter 02)

 

060.    Application Procedures/Professional Development

 

060.01    Application for Idaho Certificate

 

To obtain, renew, or reinstate an Idaho certificate, the applicant will submit an application on a form supplies by the State Department of Education or the State Division of Professional-Technical Education. (3.16.04)

 

060.02    State Board of Education Requirements for Professional Growth

 

Credits taken for recertification must be educationally related to the professional development of the applicant. (4.1.97)

 

Graduate or undergraduate credit will  be accepted for recertification.  Credit must be college transferable and completed through an accredited college or university. (4.1.97)

 

All requests for equivalent inservice training to apply toward recertification must be made through the State Department of Education upon recommendation of the board of trustees consistent with State Department of Education guidelines.  Individuals holding Professional-Technical Specialist Certificates must receive State Division of Professional-Technical Education approval of inservice training and course work prior to applying for renewal. (3.16.04)

 

At least fifteen (15) clock hours of formal instruction must be given for each hour of inservice credit granted. (4.1.97)

 

Recertification credits may not be carried over from one (1) recertification period to the next. (4.1.97)

 

Certificated personnel teaching in subjects outside their major area of preparation will be encouraged to complete the courses requird for major certification endorsement. (4.1.97)

 

060.03    State Board of Education Professional Development Requirements

 

Districts will have professional development plans.

 

All certificated personnel will be required to complete at least six (6) semester credit hours or the equivalent within the five (5) year period of validity of the certificate being renewed.

 

At least three (3) semester credits will be taken for university or college credit.  Verification will be by official transcript.

 

PROCEDURE

 

The certificated educator has sole responsibility for maintaining current, valid Idaho certification.  For renewal purposes, the applicant must meet current State Board of Education Rule and Idaho statutory renewal requirements.

 

The applicant is responsible for notifying teacher certification of either a name change or change of address.

 

The Renewal Process

 

All regular Idaho credentials must be renewed every five (5) years to remain valid.  Certificates are valid from September 1 to August 31 of any given year.

 

Application for renewal must be made on an actual renewal form.  The form may be obtained from the internet site (http://www.sde.state.id.us/certification) or by contacting the Bureau of Certification/Professional Standards at 208.332.6800.

 

Certificates are renewed on September 1 of the year in which the certificate expires.  The renewal application and current $75 fee may be sent anytime between January 1 and August 31 of the year in which the certificate expires.

 

Official transcripts must be attached to verify completion of at least six (6) semester credit hours, or nine (9) quarter hours, within the validity period of the credential being renewed.

 

For Idaho educators who hold a clear Idaho teaching certificate, up to three (3) semester credit hour equivalency credits, or forty-five (45) clock hours, or inservice participation, verified by an appropriately signed Idaho inservice form, may apply toward the total requirement of six (6) semester credit hours.

 

A Verification of Completion of Equivalent Inservice Training form must include the dates of the inservice and must be signed by the professional development chair and the superintendent.

 

Course work in any area is accepted at the 100 level or above if it appears for credit on an official transcript from an accredited college or university.  Correspondence and independent study credits on official transcripts are also accepted.  Continuing Education units are not accepted.

 

If the educator is required to meet the provisions of Idaho Code 33-1207A, he/she must complete the three (3) semester credit hours of the Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Course, or pass the Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Assessment.

 

Completion of the Idaho Technology Competency requirement may be required for a certificate renewal.

 

If credit for renewal is earned during the summer prior to the September 1 expiration date of a current credential, expect official transcripts to be unavailable until mid-fall.  A completed application and renewal fee of $75 will be accepted prior to September 1, with a note stating that the transcript(s) will come later.  While a renewed credential will not be issued until the proof of six (6) semester credits arrives, it will not lapse if course work was completed prior to September 1 and the transcript is received prior to December 31 of a given year.

 

Checklist for Renewal of Idaho Credentials

 

□  Completed Idaho Application for Renewal of an Idaho Professional Education Credential Form (form is available at www.sde.state.id.us/certification)

 

□  Payment of $75 (money order or check payable to Idaho Department of Education; non-refundable)

 

□  Official Transcripts verifying a total of at least six (6) semester credits completed within the five (5) year period of validity of the certificate being renewed.  For Idaho educators, up to three (3) semester credit hour equivalency credits, or forty-five (45) clock hours of inservice participation, verified by an appropriately signed Verification of Completion of Equivalent Inservice Training form, may apply toward the total requirement of six (6) semester credit hours

 

□  Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Course - Assessment, including an official transcript or inservice documentation; or, documentation of successful completion of the assessment.

 

□  Technology Competency including an original certificate of completion or a notarized photocopy of the certificate, or an official letter of completion from a State Board of Education approved provider.

 

□  If revisions are requested at the time of renewal, official transcripts supporting the revision will be needed as well as Praxis II assessment score sheets.  Additions of endorsements to Administrator, Pupil Personnel Services, and Exceptional Child Certificates must be accompanied by Institutional Recommendation and Professional Experience Report forms as required.

 

Questions?  Contact Idaho State Department of Education at ww.sde.state.id.us/certification or 208.332.6883.