College of Education & Human Sciences

Applying for Certification

For more information on any of the routes to certification listed below, please contact the UNA Office of Teacher Certification at (256) 765-4631.

Seeking Alabama Class B Certification

Candidates seeking a recommendation for Alabama Class B Professional Educator certification must complete all requirements set forth by the Alabama State Board of Education (ASBE) at the time the application is submitted.

Certification regulations are established by the ASBE and are subject to change without prior notification. Candidate eligibility must be verified at the time the application is submitted.

Candidates who hold a bachelor's degree and are seeking initial certification or certification in a second teaching field must meet all current program requirements including an additional internship and testing requirements. All transferred coursework and UNA coursework will be reviewed to ensure compliance with institutional, state, federal and accreditation regulations. Candidates may be required to repeat coursework or provide additional evidence that all regulations are met. Only candidates who have met all current regulations will be eligible for a recommendation for a professional certificate.

Seeking Alabama Class A Certification

The issuance of professional certificates for teachers and other public school personnel is a function of the Alabama State Department of Education under the authority of and according to regulations and procedures approved by the Alabama State Board of Education and contained in the Administrative Code. The University of North Alabama cannot assume responsibility for changes in certification requirements due to the changes in the State Board of Education policy.

Students successfully completing the approved programs must also meet all Alabama State Department of Education regulations for the appropriate certificate.

Graduates are encouraged to apply for certification upon program completion. If graduates apply for certification at a later date, all certification requirements in place AT THE TIME THE APPLICATION IS FILED must be met, even if they are different from those in place at the time of program completion.

Application for certification is made through the Office of Teacher Certification and must be accompanied by a cashier's check or money order made payable to the State Department of Education in the amount of the required fee at the time of application. Students who intend to use graduate work at the University of North Alabama to apply for certification in another state should apprise themselves in advance of the requirements and procedures of the particular state.

If an individual admitted to a Class A program based on a bachelor's level professional educator certification from another state completes a Class A program and subsequently applies for Alabama certification at the Class A level, then the individual must earn Alabama Class B certification before applying for Class A certification.

If an individual admitted to a Class AA program based on a master's level professional educator certification from another state completes a Class AA program and subsequently applies for Alabama certification at the Class AA level, then the individual must earn Alabama Class A certification before applying for Class AA certification.

Certification in Other States

Candidates who seek certification in states other than Alabama should contact the appropriate State Department of Education to determine the specific requirements of that state.

Certification by Test (CBT) Approach to an Additional Teaching Field

An individual who holds a valid Alabama Professional Educator Certificate in a teaching field may seek additional certification in other selected teaching fields. This process requires a candidate to secure two full years of full time teaching experience plus a passing score on the Praxis II exam(s) required for the content area in which they wish to apply for CBT certification.

Certificate Renewal

To renew (continue) a certificate is to update it without allowing it to lapse. Beginning January 1, 2012, all requirements for certificate renewal must be on file with the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) prior to the expiration of the certificate. There is no longer a grace period for submitting renewal requests. If a certificate expires on June 30, and the ALSDE does not have your application for renewal plus documentation of all renewal requirements being met, your certificate will be considered lapsed (expired) on July 1.

Certificate Reinstatement

To reinstate a certificate is to meet requirements to make an expired certificate valid again. There is no longer a grace period for submitting renewal requests. If a certificate expires on June 30, and the ALSDE does not have your application for renewal plus documentation of all renewal requirements being met, your certificate will be considered lapsed (expired) on July 1. If this happens, requirements for "reinstatement" must be met before your certificate can become valid again.