FAQs
- What is the difference between a credential and a certificate?
- What is an endorsement?
- I have a bachelor's (or master's) degree but have not completed a teacher certification program. How do I get certified to teach in Idaho?
- How do I get a credential in Idaho if I am already a teacher in another state?
- What qualifications do I need to be a teacher?
- How do I become an elementary teacher (grades K-8)?
- How do I become a secondary school (middle school and/or high school) teacher (grades 6-12)?
- What Idaho universities offer a teacher preparation program?
- What are the Idaho Core Teacher Standards?
- Are there alternate routes to becoming a teacher?
- What is a Praxis II test? What Praxis II test do I take for my certification/endorsement? How do I register to take a Praxis II test?
- Do I have to take a Praxis II test if I took the ABCTE test?
- What does it mean to be "highly qualified"?
- How do I get another copy of my certificate/credential?
- How do I apply for a job in Idaho?
1. What is the difference between a credential and a certificate?
Credential is the general term used to denote the document on which all of a person's educational certificates and endorsements are listed. The holder is entitled to provide educational services in any and/or all areas listed on the credential.
Certificate is the general term used to denote what area and grades an individual is eligible to teach.
2. What is an endorsement?
Endorsement is the term used to refer to the content area or specific area of expertise in which a certificate holder is granted permission to provide services.
3. I have a bachelor's (or master's) degree but have not completed a teacher certification program. How do I get certified to teach in Idaho?
Contact the College of Education at a university that offers a teacher certification program. A representative from the College of Education should be able to tell you what it would take to complete the program. Or, contact the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence to find out how to become certified through ABCTE. See www.abcte.org/teach/idaho for more details.
4. How do I get a credential in Idaho if I am already a teacher in another state?
See Certificate/Credential for Out-of-State Candidates
5. What qualifications do I need to be a teacher?
CERTIFICATION ELIGIBILITY
STATUTE: SECTION 33-1202, IDAHO CODE, ELIGIBILITY FOR CERTIFICATE
Each applicant for a certificate must:
1. Have attained the age of eighteen (18) years.
2. Have completed specific minimum requirements in college training as specified in rules of the State Board of Education.
3. Be free from contagious disease; but if at any time there is a probable cause to believe that any such employee of the district is so afflicted, the board shall cause examination to be made by a licensed physician, and may exclude the employee from service without loss of pay pending determination whether so afflicted.
4. Have on file with the State Department of Education the results of a criminal history check pursuant to section 33-130, Idaho Code. If an applicant is found to have been convicted of any of the felony crimes enumerated in section 33-1208, Idaho Code, a certificate shall not be issued to the applicant.
The State Board of Education may refuse to issue or authorize a certificate to any applicant for such reason as would have constituted grounds for revoking a certificate.
CERTIFICATES ISSUED TO APPLICANTS FROM REGIONALLY ACCREDITED INSTITUTIONS
RULE: IDAHO STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION (IDAPA 08, TITLE 02, CHAPTER 02)
014. CERTIFICATES ISSUED TO APPLICANTS FROM REGIONALLY ACCREDITED INSTITUTIONS
(3-16-04)
01. The Department of Education. The Department of Education is authorized to issue Idaho Certificates to applicants from regionally accredited institutions meeting requirements for certification or equivalent (i.e., those based on a bachelor's degree) in other states when they substantially meet the requirements for the Idaho Certificate. (Sections 33-1203; 33-2203 Idaho Code)
02. The State Division of Professional-Technical Education. The State Division of Professional-Technical Education is authorized to determine whether applicants meet the requirements for instructing or administering professional-technical programs at the secondary and postsecondary levels. (Section 33-2203 Idaho Code)
NOTE: Questions regarding regionally accredited institutions need to be directed to Jerry Jensen at (208) 332-6882.
6. How do I become an elementary teacher (grades K-8)?
See Standard Elementary Certificate
7. How do I become a middle school (junior high) teacher (grades 6-8)?
See Standard Elementary Certificate for self-contained, all subject classrooms or Standard Secondary Certificate for content specific single subject teaching.
8. What Idaho universities offer a teacher preparation program?
See Accredited Teacher Preparation Programs in Idaho
9. What are the Idaho Core Teacher Standards?
See Resources for Higher Education
10. Are there alternate routes to becoming a teacher?
See Alternative Authorizations/Routes to Certification
11. What is a Praxis II test? What Praxis II test do I take for my certification/endorsement? How do I register to take a Praxis II test?
ASSESSMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION
RULE: IDAHO STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION (IDAPA 08, TITLE 02, CHAPTER 02)
017. CONTENT, PEDAGOGY AND PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT FOR CERTIFICATION (3-16-04)
State Board of Education approved content, pedagogy and performance area assessments shall be used in the state of Idaho to ensure qualified teachers are employed in Idaho's classrooms. The Professional Standards Commission shall recommend assessments and qualifying scores to the State Board of Education for approval.
NOTE: For certification purposes, Praxis II assessments are the SBOE-approved content, pedagogy and performance assessments used in Idaho. For further information regarding Praxis II assessments and to register for an assessment, refer to the following website: www.ets.org/praxis
12. Do I have to take a Praxis test if I took the ABCTE test?
No. However, additional Certificates and/or endorsements added to an existing certificate/credential through a traditional teacher preparation program may require a Praxis II Test.
13. What does it mean to be "highly qualified"?
Please download the document for Federal Definition of a Highly Qualified Teacher.
Download Here.
14. How do I get another copy of my certificate/credential?
See Obtaining a Duplicate/Copy of an Idaho Certificate/Credential
15. How do I apply for a job in Idaho?
Each Idaho school district advertises its own vacancies and maintains its own employment procedures. District vacancies are often listed with college or university placement centers or with the Idaho Department of Commerce and Labor. Questions about openings and salaries need to be addressed to respective school districts. To view available job listings, access the following web site. Link »