Effective July 2002; Revised August 2007

TYPES OF TEACHING AUTHORIZATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

STANDARD TEACHING AUTHORIZATIONS(Teachersholdino standardteachino authorizationsand certificationsmay meet the requirementsof the NCLB mandate.)

Professional Level Certificates(Issued beginning July 1, 2002)

Certificate Type Certificate Guidelines Renewal GuidelinesLevel 1 Professional Teachers must graduate or complete a State-approved A lapsed Level 1 certificate may be renewed once for

Certificate teacher preparation program (traditional or alternative path an additional three years, upon request of thewith 2.5 GPA), pass all required PRAXIS exams for area of employing district or superintendent (or corresponding

Valid for three-years certification, and be recommended by a university or private administrative officer of a private school system), orprovider to receive a Level 1 Professional Certificate. upon the presentation of six semester hours of

OR resident, extension, or correspondence credit from a

Teacher must meet the requirements of an Out-of-Stateregionally accredited university/college directly relatedto the area of certification.

certified teacher.

Level 2 Professional Teachers with a Level 1 Professional Certificate must pass the Teachers must complete 150 continuing learning units

Certificate Louisiana Teacher Assistance and Assessment Program (CLUs) of district approved and verified professional(LATAAP) and teach for three years in their area of development over a five-year time period in order to

Valid for five years certification in an approved educational setting to receive a have a Level 2 Professional License renewed.Level 2 Professional Certificate.

Level 3 Professional Teachers with a Level 1 or Level 2 Certificate are eligible for a Teachers must complete 150 continuing learning units

Certificate Level 3 Certificate if they complete a Masters Degree from a (CLUs) of district approved and verified professionalregionally accredited university/COllege, teach for five years in development over a five-year time period in order to

Valid for five years their area of certification, and pass the Louisiana Teacher have a Level 3 Professional License renewed.Assistance and Assessment Proqrarn (LATAAP).

Standard Teaching Certificates(Issued prior to July 1, 2002)

TypeC Type C certificates will not be issued after July 1, 2002.Teachers currently with a Type C certificate may have

Valid for three years their certificate extended or upgraded to a Type B orA upon request accordina to policy.

I

Type B or Type A Teachers currently holding Type A or Type B certificates will continue to hold these certificates, which are valid for life,

Valid for life of continuous provided the holder does not allow any period of five or more consecutive years of disuse to accrue and/or the certificate

serviceis not revoked by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, acting in accordance with law.

Out-of-State Certificate

Certificate Type Certificate Guidelines Renewal GuidelinesOut-of-State Issued to a teacher who has completed a teacher preparation Non-renewable

Certificate (OS) program from a regionally accredited university/college inanother state with student teaching or 3 years of experience in

Valid for three (3) years the certified area to waive student teaching and who holds astandard teaching certificate in another state.

If applicant earned a degree five (5) or more years prior to thedate of application, he/she must have been a regularlyemployed teacher for at least one semester, or 90 consecutivedays within the five (5) year period immediately preceding firstemployment in Louisiana or application for a Louisiana ascertificate.Advancing from an as to a Professional Level 1, 2 or 3certificate:

The individual must meet all Louisiana Praxis/NTErequirements for their area of certification within the three (3)year validity period of the as certificate or qualify for PRAXISexclusion. Praxis exclusion applies to individuals who have atleast four (4) years of successful teaching experience inanother state and teach on an as certificate for one year in aLouisiana public school system. The teacher's Louisianaemploying authority verifies the out-of- state teachingexperience, that he/she has completed one year of successfulteaching experience in a Louisiana Public school and thathe/she has been recommended for further employment.

Practitioner Licenses(Teachers holding standard teaching authorizations and certifications mav meet the requirements of the NCLB mandate.)

Certificate Type Certificate Guidelines Renewal GuidelinesPractitioner Licenses Teacher must be admitted to and enrolled in a State-approved PL 1 teachers must demonstrate progressPractitioner Licenses may be issued for Practitioner Teacher Program (PL 1), toward program requirements byone (1) school year, renewed annually Non-Masters Alternate Certification Program (PL2), or successfully completing at least 6 semesterand held a maximum of three (3) years Masters Degree Alternate Certification Program (PL3), which

hours or equivalent contact hours;while the holder completes an approved necessitates meeting all program requirements including non- PL2 and PL3 teachers must complete 9altemate program. education baccalaureate degree, stipulated GPA, and passing semester hours each year to remain on the

PL 1 - Practitioner Program: scores on the Praxis PPST and content area exams. PL license.

PL 1 applications must be submitted to A teacher receiving a PL4 license is enrolled in or has completed Program requirements must be completedthe Department by the Program an Altemate Post-Baccalaureate Program; cannot be enrolled in within the three-year maximum that theProvider. a redesigned program, has passed Praxis PPST and the current license can be held.

Praxis content specialty exam(s), but has not yet completed allPL 2 - Non-Masters Alternate requirements for full certification. Upon completion of three (3) years of

Program: The alternate certification teacher (PL 1, PL2, and PL3) mustemployment on this certificate, for continuedemployment as a teacher in a LouisianaPL 2 applications must be submitted to remain enrolled in the respective program and fulfill all school , holder must full guidelines for athe Department by the Louisiana coursework, teaching assignments, and prescribed activities as Level 1 or higher-level certificateemploying school system. identified by the program provider.

PL 3 - Master's Alternate The PL4 teacher must complete all alternate program courseworkProgram: that remains, and complete Praxis requirements for thePL 3 applications must be submitted to certification area.the Department by the Louisianaemploying school system.

PL 4 - Alternate Post-Baccalaureate Program:This applies to an individual who is notenrolled in one of the three redesignedalternate certification programs listedabove and must be submitted by theLouisiana emolovino school system.

Extended Endorsement License (EEL)(Teachers hoidinq standard teachinq authorizations and certifications may meet the requirements of the NCLB mandate.)

Certificate Type Certificate Guidelines Renewal GuidelinesExtended Endorsement Individual holds a Louisiana teaching certificate, but is teaching Teacher must successfully complete a

License (EEL) outside of the certified area; and minimum of nine credit hours of courseworkper year, applicable toward certification in the

Individual must have a current passing PRAXIS exam score for content area of the license; orDistrict submits application to LDE; the area(s) of EEL certificate; and If fewer than nine hours are required torenewable annually for maximum of

District must provide a detailed prescription that identifies any complete the certification, then all of thethree years.

additional coursework or exams needed to complete the remaining hours must be taken; orarea/level certification endorsement signed by the If no credit hours remain to be taken, thenSuperintendent and the human resources director ofthe the individual must provide evidence ofemploying local education agency. taking the required exams, a minimum of

once oer vear.

TEMPORARY AUTHORIZATIONS TO TEACH(Teachers holding non-standard teaching authorizations and certifications DO NOT meet NCLB mandate recuirements.)

Certificate Type RENEWAL GUIDELINESCertificate GuidelinesAll applicants must have passing scores on the Praxis Pre-professional Skills Tests (PPSTs) Reading and Writing examinationsand at least a 2.0 GPA prior to issuance. Effective September 1, 2006:An ACT composite score of 22 or a SA T combined verbal and mathscore of 1030 may be used in lieu of Praxis 1PPST Exams byorosoecuv« teachers in Louisiana.

TemporaryAuthority toTeach (TAT)May be issued for one (1)school year, renewedannually, and held amaximum of three (3)years while the holderpursues alternatecertification programadmission requirements orcertification requirements.

Upon completion of thethree (3) years ofemployment on thiscertificate, for continuedemployment as a teacherin a Louisiana schoolsystem, the holder mustfulfill guidelines for aPractitioner License or ahigher-level certificate.

Districts may recommend a. Issued to an applicant who graduatesthat teachers be given a from a teacher preparation program,one-year TAT according to does not pass all Praxis exams, and whothe stipulated eligibility and has not previously qualified for arenewal conditions. Louisiana standard teaching

authorization.Districts submit theapplication and provide anaffidavit signed by the localsuperintendent verifyingthat good faith efforts forrecruiting certifiedpersonnel have beenmade, including posting allpositions on the TeachLouisiana RecruitmentCenter; that "there is noregularly certified,competent, and suitableperson available for theposition"; and that theapplicant is the best-qualified person for theposition.

b. Issued to an applicant who holds aminimum of a baccalaureate degree froma regionally-accredited institution, whoapplies for admission to a Practitionerteacher or other alternate program, but(a) does not pass the Praxisexaminations required for admission tothe program, and/or (b) has a minimumof a 2.0 GPA but does not have therequired 2.20 GPA for admission to analternate program.

c. Issued to an applicant who holds aminimum of a baccalaureate degree froma regionally-accredited college oruniversity and is hired after the start of anavailable alternate certification program.

Teacher must take the necessary Praxisexaminations at least twice a year.

a. The teacher must successfully complete aminimum of six (6) credit hours per year inthe subject area(s) that he/she is attemptingto pass on the Praxis and take the necessaryexams at least once a year; and/or

b. The teacher must successfully complete aminimum of six (6) credit hours per year toraise the GPA to a 2.20 as required foradmission to an alternate program.

The teacher must take the appropriate Praxisexaminations required for admission to analternate certification program and, if successful,apply for admission to the alternate program.

d. Issued to an applicant who has a Teacher must successfully complete a minimumminimum of a 2.35 GPA on a 4.00 scale of six (6) semester credit hours per year toand has completed all other requirements obtain the 2.50 GPA on a 4.00 scale that isfor certification. reouired for certification purposes.

Out-of-Field Authorization toTeach (OFAT)

Individual must hold a valid Louisiana teachingcertificate or OS certificate and be teaching outside oftheir certified area.

If an applicant fails to complete required renewal guidelines, the TAT will not be renewed. Exception to this policy will be considered in the case of a seriousmedical condition.

Medical Excuse: When serious medical problems of the teacher or his/her immediate family exist, a doctor's statement is required with a letter of assurancefrom the teacher that the unmet requirements will be completed prior to the beqinninq of the next school vear.

May be issued for one school year, renewableannually and may be held a maximum of three(3) years while the holder pursuesendorsements (add-on) certificationrequirements. If a teacher is actively pursuingcertification in the field and the LDE hasdesignated the area as an area that requiresextensive hours for completion, up to twoadditional years of renewal may be granted.These designated areas are: AcademicallyGifted, Early Interventionist, Hearing Impaired,Visually Impaired, and Significant Disabilities

One additional year of renewability may begranted for applicant pursuing Mild/Moderatecertification.

The employing district superintendent mustprovide a signed statement certifying that "thereis no regularly certified, competent, andsuitable person available for the position" andthat applicant is the best-qualified personavailable for the oosition.

Teacher must successfully complete a minimumof six credit hours per year of courses from aregionally accredited university/college thatleads toward certification in the area in whichhe/she is teaching; or opt to take all PRAXISexams required for the add-on certification perthe official evaluation provided by the TeacherCertification and Preparation Office. If applicantopts to take PRAXIS exams then all exams mustbe completed once per year.

If an applicant fails to complete the required renewal guidelines, the OFAT will not be renewed. Exception to this policy will be considered in the case of aserious medical condition or the unavailability of required coursework.

a. Medical Excuse: When serious medical problems of the teacher or his/her immediate family exist, a doctor's statement is required with a letter ofassurance from the teacher that the unmet requirements will be completed prior to the beginning of the next school year. (see Teach LA)

b. Required Courses not Available: Documentation that necessary coursework was not available must be provided in the form of letters of verification fromall universities in the accessible geographic area of the teacher's domicile. The university letter must verify that the necessary coursework was notoffered.

Process for Renewing Lapsed Professional CertificatesType C, B, and A Certificates and Level 1, 2, and 3 Certificates

Process for Reinstating Lapsed Level 1, 2, 3, or Type C,B,ACertificate

1. A certificate will lapse for disuse if the holder allows a period of five consecutive calendar years to pass in which he/she is not a regularly employedteacher for at least one semester, or 90 consecutive days.

2. To reinstate a lapsed certificate, the holder must present evidence that he/she earned six semester hours of credit from a regionally accrediteduniversity/college in state-approved courses (see Teach LA) during the five year period immediately preceding request for reinstatement.

3. If the holder did not earn Six semester hours or equivalent, the lapsed certificate may be reactivated upon request (at the level that was attained prior todisuse) for a period of one year, during which time the holder must complete reinstatement requirements.

Under condition (a) thedistrict submits applicationto LDE; renewableannually for a period not toexceed three total years.

a. Individual meets all certificationrequirements, with the exception ofpassing all portions of the NTEexamination, but scores within tenpercent of the composite scorerequired for passage of all exams.(Formerly classified as EP)

TemporaryEmploymentPermit (TEP)May be issued for one (1)school year, renewedannually, and held amaximum of three (3)years while the holderpursues satisfaction ofstate Praxisrequirements.

b. Individual meets all certificationrequirements, with the exception ofpassing one of the components ofthe PRAXIS, but has an aggregatescore equal to or above the totalrequired on all tests. (Formerlyclassified as TEP)

Under condition (b) theindividual submitsapplication to LDE;renewable annually for aperiod not to exceed threetotal years.

Upon completion of thethree years ofemployment on thiscertificate, for continuedemployment in aLouisiana school system,the holder must fulfillguidelines for a Level 1 orhigher-level certificate.

Superintendent and President of the school board towhich the individual has applied for employmentmust submit a signed affidavit to the LDE stipulatingthat there is no other applicant who has met all ofthe certification requirements available foremployment for a specific teaching position. Suchrenewal of the permit shall be accomplished in thesame manner as the granting of the original permit.The granting of such emergency teaching permitshall not waive the requirement that the personsuccessfully complete the exam. While employedon an emergency teaching permit, employmentperiod does not count toward tenure.Temporary Employment Permits are issued at therequest of individuals, who must submit allapplication materials required for issuance of aregular certificate to LDE. An individual can be re-issued a permit two times only if evidence ispresented that the required test has been retakentwice within one year from the date the permit waslast issued.

Revised 8/28/07