Getting Certified

Getting your teaching certification for Alaska can be an intimidating process. There are a lot of pieces you have to submit and get approved. If you know this is something you want to do, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to complete the application and request all the documents you need. The best time to submit the application is in the middle of a semester. If you do this at the end of a semester, be prepared for a longer wait time. They'll have a lot of applications to go through because of graduations.

First, you need to visit the Department of Education and Early Development for Alaska. This is where you will find all of the application forms, online payment portal, and explanations. If you are already certified to teach in another state and have never taught in Alaska, you'll probably be applying for an Initial Out-of-State license. Do not send in your application in pieces. Gather everything you need to submit, and send it all in one packet. They'll return it to you, otherwise.

Set aside a good bit of time to fill out the application. The whole packet is over 10 pages long. The first few pages you need to read carefully so you know what to do. After you finish filling out the forms, you must get the last page notarized--do not sign this page until you are sitting in front of one! Check with your bank. Mine has a couple of notaries on staff, so I was able to get it done for free.

You'll need to get your fingerprints done as well to submit with your application. They need this card done so they can do your background check. Bring the fingerprint information page with you when you get them done. The officer who did mine read through it to make sure everything was in order. Also be prepared to tell them why you are getting fingerprints done. You'll get a lot of additional questions after you tell them you plan to move to Alaska! I don't know if that is a standard inquiry or if my small city just likes to be nosey :)

Along with your application, you'll need to submit a copy of your current teaching license and instructions on how the Dept of Ed can access it online, if applicable. You also need to include transcripts from every university you have a degree from. You'll need to request these be sent to you so you can put them in your packet. Do not open the envelopes, or the transcripts will be considered invalid!

You also need copies of your professional test scores. Check the Alaska website carefully! There are very specific tests they accept and the passing scores for each. You can get test scores sent electronically or get them sent to you to include in your packet. If you don't have test scores, they will only give you a 1-year certificate. Once they receive your passing scores, they extend your certification for an extra year without charge (so now it's valid for 2 years).

The application gave me sticker shock! It costs $200 for the actual application, plus you have to include $60 for the background check. You can pay this online or send an accepted payment in with your packet.

Make sure you get tracking on your application so you know when it arrives in Juneau. It took them about 2-3 weeks to evaluate my application, then another week for me to receive the coveted yellow postcard.

My best advice, especially if you plan on attending a job fair, is to have this yellow postcard before interviewing with any districts. Even if you interview via Skype or phone, districts like knowing you have The Card. It proves you're serious about doing this. It also proves you can actually teach in a classroom, since they don't let you in front of a class without being certified!

Once you have the certification, there are additional steps to getting your more permanent license in Alaska. You have to complete mandatory training and submit verification as well as take two different Alaska Culture and Studies approved courses. I'll fill you in more about this when I reach this part of the process.