Summary of Certification Process 
The office of Certification & Professional Standards operates within the State Department of Education to provide information, professional support, and resources to Idaho educators. Activities of the office include:
- Administering the processes for the certification and recertification of professional school personnel in the State of Idaho.
- Supporting the work of the Professional Standards Commission, which has the authority to:
- Provide statewide leadership in identifying the needs of teachers and in developing, supporting, and recognizing activities that result in improved educational opportunities for students;
- Make recommendations to the State Board of Education regarding teacher preparation programs, teacher certification standards, and professional practices and competence of the teaching profession in the state;
- Investigate and hold hearings on any signed complaint alleging unethical practice by any certificated individual.
General Certification
Phone Number
(208) 332-6881
Christina Linder
Director
(208) 332-6886
Keith Potter
Certification Coordinator/Investigator
(208) 332-6887
Martha Davis
Professional Standards Coordinator
(208) 332-6885
Cina Oravez
Alternative Authorization Coordinator
(208) 332-6936
Shannon Haas
Tech Records, Fingerprinting
(208) 332-6888
Cathryn Day
Office Specialist II
(208) 332-6882
Jerry Jensen
Office Specialist II
(208) 332-6881
MaryJane Markland
Admin Assistant I
(208) 332-6884
The Technology Competency Assessment requirement has been repealed effective June 14, 2007.
21st Annual Educator Supply and Demand Report NEW
Supt. memo - verification of HQT 08- Fed Definition of a Highly Qualified Teacher
Federal HQT Reports- Verification Form
- Housse Rubric
The Idaho State Department of Education's office 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
Institutional Recommendation for Idaho (Form B2)
Institutional Recommendation for Pre K-12 Principals (Form B3)
Institutional Recommendation for School Superintendents (Form B4)
Institutional Recommendation for Directors of Special Ed (Form B5)
Professional Experience Report (Form B6)
Verification of Completion of Equivalent Inservice Training (Form B7)
Competencies for Consulting Teacher of Special Education (Form B8)
Competencies for Supervisor/Coordinator of Special Education (Form B9)
STATUTE: 33-1205. Certificate Records and Fees
(1) “The state board of education shall cause to be maintained a record of all certificates issued, showing names, dates of issue and renewal, and if revoked, the date thereof and the reason thereof. A non-refundable fee shall accompany each application for a pre-kindergarten through grade twelve (12) certificate, alternate certificate, change in certificate or replacement as follows:
- Original certificate, all types, issued for five (5) years $75.00
- Renewal certificate, all types, issued for five (5) years $75.00
- Alternate route certificate, all types, issued for one (1) year $100.00
- Additions or changes during the life of an existing certificate $25.00
- To replace an existing certificate $10.00
(2) The fees specified in subsection (1) of this section shall be in effect through December 31, 2004. On and after January 1, 2005, certificate and related fees shall be as specified by rule of the state board of education.
(3) The fees shall be used by the professional standards commission for payment of the reasonable expenses in performing its duties and responsibilities as approved by the state board of education and not more than thirty-three percent of the fees may be used by the state department of education to partially defray the cost of the office of certification.
Application for Certification as an Occupational Specialist
Approval of Professional Development Activities
Professional Development Plan
Provisional Authorization Certificate Application
Provisional Authorization Personal Information
Verification of the Mentoring Experience
The Certification Manual contains the mandated requirements for all educational certification in the State of Idaho. All necessary forms for application will be found in the Appendix of the manual. The Idaho Certification Manual (pdf) file is the complete certification document that contains a table of contents each section is hot linked to all areas of the manual as well as to the forms. Information can be typed directly onto the (pdf) forms and printed.
View Manual Contents
- Section I - General Information
- Section II - Finding an Education Job in Idaho
- Section III - Accredited Teacher Preparation Institutions in Idaho
- Section IV - Becoming Certified in Idaho
- Section V - Revising Idaho Certification
- Section VI - Obtaining Duplicate Certificates
- Section VII - Reinstating - Idaho Certification
- Section VIII - Renewal - Idaho Certification
- Section IX - Military Leave - Ordered to Active Duty
- Section X - Junior Reserved Officer Training Corps
- Section XI - Reserved
- Section XII - Ethics and the Idaho Teaching Profession
- Section XIII - Criminal History Checks
- Section XIV - Native American Language Teachers
- Section XV - Idaho Educator Credential Options
- Section XVI - Early Childhood Blended Certificate
- Section XVII - Standard Elementary Certificate
- Section XVIII - Standard Secondary Certificate
- Section XIX - Subject Area Endorsements on Secondary Certificates
- Section XX - Standard Exceptional Child Certificate
- Section XXI - Administrator Certificate
- Section XXII - Pupil Personnel Services Certificate
- Section XXIII - Alternative Routes to Idaho Certification
- Section XXIV - Certification Standards for Professional-Technical Educators
- Section XXV - Degree-Based Professional-Technical Education
- Section XXVI
NOTE: Forms within the Certification Manual sections are no longer accessible. To access forms please go to the side column of this webpage under Certification forms or Credential form
NOTE: If you have questions about your particular certification area, call the office of Certification/Professional Standards at 208-332-6880 (or toll-free through the Department of Education at 800-432-4601).
Idaho Professional Education Credential Checklist UPDATE
Form B-1 - Idaho Professional Education Credential Application (Teacher Application)
Credential Renewal Directions
Credential Renewal Application
This version of the Code of Ethics for Idaho Professional Educators was revised by the Professional Standards Commission and approved by both the State Board of Education and the Idaho legislature. (IDAPA 08.02.02.076)
The Idaho Code of Ethics consists of Ten (10) Principles. Below is a summary of those principles - please refer to the complete document for details
Code of Ethics: The Ten Principles (Summary)
- Principle I: A professional educator abides by all federal, state, and local laws and statutes.
- Principle II: A professional educator maintains a professional relationship with all students, both inside and outside the classroom.
- Principle III: A professional educator refrains from the abuse of alcohol or drugs during the course of professional practice.
- Principle IV: A professional educator exemplifies honesty and integrity in the course of professional practice.
- Principle V: A professional educator entrusted with public funds and property honors that trust with a high level of honesty, accuracy, and responsibility.
- Principle VI: A professional educator maintains integrity with students, colleagues, parents, patrons, or business personnel when accepting gifts, gratuities, favors, and additional compensation.
- Principle VII: A professional educator complies with state and federal laws and local school board policies relating to the confidentiality of student and employee records, unless disclosure is required or permitted by law.
- Principle VIII: A professional educator fulfills all terms and obligations detailed in the contract with the local board of education or education agency for the duration of the contract.
- Principle IX: A professional educator reports breaches of the Code of Ethics for Idaho Professional Educators, and submits reports as required by Idaho Code.
- Principle X: A professional educator demonstrates conduct that follows generally recognized professional principles with the right to exercise academic freedom.
Code of Ethics for Idaho Professional Educators (Full Manual) NEW
The Praxis II assessment is required for Idaho certification. The Idaho Praxis II Assessment Handbook: State Requirements and Guide to Implementation is a guide to the assessment process. Please note that this is a "document in progress". Every effort will be made to post updates on the website. Implementation of the Praxis II assessment program is also subject to state and federal regulations. Any adjustments in these regulations will be reflected in the implementation procedures.
Temporary and Pending Rules, Teacher Certification, 08-0202-0701-0706
- Idaho's Education Employment Website
- Idaho State Board of Education
- Access Idaho
- Idaho Association of School Administrators
- Idaho School Boards Association
- Idaho Statute Related to Teachers
- Northwest Professional Educators
- State Board Rule Related to Teaching
- Educational Testing Service (ETS) - Praxis Testing
- Idaho Education Association
- ABCTE (American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence)
- The Idaho Title II Higher Education State Reports and supplemental information as submitted to the U.S. Dept. of Education are posted to their website.
- Creating Continuous Improvement in Idaho Schools: Professional Development Handbook , which was developed by the Professional Standards Commission, is a valuable resource for Idaho school districts to use in planning professional development opportunities that are focused on helping students achieve high standards of learning and development.
