No.  The GPA must be the official overall GPA, of the bachelor’s, master’s, or higher degree, as defined by the degree-granting institution and as posted on the official transcript of the degree-granting institution.

This office does not review transcripts or determine eligibility for alternative certification.  The alternative certification process begins with an Alabama public school system, eligible non-public school, or Alabama institution as appropriate.

For information about eligibility and employment, you will need to contact the school system or eligible non-public school which you are interested in teaching.  Application for alternative certification is made by the school system/eligible non-public school, not the individual.

 

Applicants living in Alabama should follow the instructions regarding the fingerprinting process through Cogent Systems at www.cogentid.com/AL  or by calling (866) 989-9316 (toll free).  The current cost of fingerprinting for Alabama residents is $51.40.

 

Applicants living outside of Alabama who are not able to report to a designated fingerprint site in Alabama are to go to the Cogent Systems Web site at www.cogentid.com/AL to register online.  The applicant will then contact this Office at (334) 353-8567 or e-mail tcert@alsde.edu to request two fingerprint cards.  Once the fingerprint cards are received, the applicant will need to contact a local law enforcement agency outside of Alabama to be fingerprinted on the cards received from this Office. After being fingerprinted, the applicant will send one completed fingerprint card and a money order or cashier’s check in the amount of $59.40 made payable to Cogent Systems to the following address:  3M Cogent Inc. / 5025 Bradenton Ave.  / Suite A / Dublin, OH 43017.  The applicant should keep the second completed fingerprint card in case a reprint notice is received from Cogent Systems.

No. If you are an applicant for certification or licensure, you must have an application, and appropriate fee on file in the Teacher Certification Section of the Office of Teaching and Leading before your fingerprint results will be processed by the ALSDE.

“Pending” means the review of the file has not been completed. The fingerprint applicant may contact the ALSDE at (334) 353-8567 and ask to speak with a background review specialist for specific information regarding the processing of their file.

Issuance of a certificate or license is evidence of successful completion of the criminal history background check. Only classified employees and applicants seeking admission to Alabama State-approved Teacher Education Programs, who successfully complete the criminal history background check will be issued a Suitability Letter.

For more information please contact the Teacher Certification Section of the Office of Teaching and Leading at: (334) 353-8567.

An individual may verify that their criminal history background check results are on file with the Alabama Department of Education by visiting the Teacher Certification Portal at http://tcert.alsde.edu/Portal/Public/Pages/SearchCerts.aspx.

Individuals employed in all public schools as county superintendent of education, city superintendent of schools, assistant superintendent, supervisor, principal, teacher or attendance officer shall hold a certificate issued by the State Superintendent of Education.  Ala. Code§16-23-1 (1975).

 

The instruction in all private schools registered by the Alabama State Department of Education shall be by persons holding certificates issued by the State Superintendent of Education. Ala. Code§16-28-1 (1975).

Individuals who complete programs at institutions outside of Alabama and wish to obtain Alabama certification must, in part, present a valid professional certificate in which Alabama offers comparable certification. An applicant must also meet background clearance, test, and any experiential requirements.

Eligibility determinations are not made until a complete application packet has been received in this office and reviewed by a specialist.

 

Alabama offers:

 

Early Childhood Special Education  P(Preschool)-grade 3

 

Special Education P-12:
o Emotional Disturbance
o Gifted
o Hearing Impairment
o Mental Retardation
o Mild Learning/Behavior Disabilities
o Mild Learning Disabilities
o Multiple Disabilities
o Orthopedic and Other Health Impairment
o Severe Multiple Disabilities
o Specific Learning Disability
o Speech or Language Impairment
o Visual Impairment

 

*Collaborative Special Education Teacher K-6

 

*Collaborative Special Education Teacher 6-12

 

*Collaborative Special Education Teacher includes all special education exceptionalities other than the sensory impairments and the gifted.

Alabama does not transfer in Highly Qualified Teacher status.  The passing scores on core academic subject area tests that are required for the issuance of Alabama certificates also result in Highly Qualified Teacher status.  In a case where a core academic subject area test is not available (e.g. dance), an applicant may meet Highly Qualified Teacher status through an option provided in the Alabama Model For Identifying Highly Qualified Teachers or through the High Objective Uniform State Standards of Evaluation (HOUSSE) option.

You may contact officials in the college of education at an Alabama university regarding the requirements of their Class A Instructional Leader program.  Once you are unconditionally admitted to that program, an employing Alabama superintendent who wishes to hire you as principal may request a Special Alternative Certificate for you.

Alabama certificates are valid for five years (with a beginning date of July 1st and an ending date of June 30th).

Your file will be released to a teacher certification specialist for review once your background clearance, application form, fee, and Alabama Form CER or original certificate from outside of Alabama have been received.  Files are reviewed by the specialist in the order of the date received.  Delays in receiving materials (transcripts, forms, etc.) result in a delay in the determination of eligibility for certification.