Are you considering a career in teaching in Alabama?
With a variety of alternative certification routes available, individuals with degrees in any field can pursue a teaching license. These alternative routes include the Provisional Certificate in a Teaching Field (PCTF), Higher Education Transitional Certificate (HETC), and Emergency Certificate.
Read on to learn more about the qualifications and testing requirements for each of these paths.
Requirements for Alternative Certification in Alabama
The minimum requirement for Alternative Certification in Alabama is a bachelor’s degree, with additional requirements such as GPA of at least 2.0, qualifying scores on Praxis exam(s), and background clearance.
There are three types of alternative teaching licenses in Alabama: Provisional Certificate in a Teaching Field (PCTF), Higher Education Transitional Certificate (HETC), and Emergency Certificate.
The PCTF is available for those with a bachelor’s degree and no teaching certificate, and leads to a Professional Educator Certificate.
The HETC is for those with teaching experience at a regionally-accredited college or university, with a Letter of Eligibility and documentation of teaching experience. This is valid for up to three years and leads to a Professional Educator Certificate.
An Emergency Certificate is requested by the employing school superintendent for vacant positions and is valid up to two years, but does not lead to professional certification in Alabama.
Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses in Alabama
Three types of Alternative Teaching Licenses are available in Alabama: Provisional Certificate in a Teaching Field (PCTF), Higher Education Transitional Certificate (HETC), and Emergency Certificate.
The PCTF is available to those with a bachelor’s degree and no teaching certificate. Candidates must have a GPA of at least 2.0 and qualifying scores on Praxis exams, and must be admitted to an approved teacher preparation program.
The HETC is for those with teaching experience at a regionally-accredited college or university. This requires a Letter of Eligibility and documentation of teaching experience, and leads to a Professional Educator Certificate.
Lastly, an Emergency Certificate can be requested by a superintendent for vacant positions. It requires a bachelor’s degree but is only valid for two years.
Provisional Certificate in a Teaching Field (PCTF
In addition to a bachelor’s degree, applicants for a Provisional Certificate in a Teaching Field (PCTF) must have a GPA of at least 2.0 and pass qualifying Praxis exams in order to be admitted to an approved teacher preparation program. This type of certification is available to those without a teaching certificate and leads to a Professional Educator Certificate upon completion.
Requirements include:
- Minimum 2.0 GPA
- Qualifying scores on Praxis exam(s)
- Background clearance
- Admission to an approved teacher preparation program
The PCTF provides an alternative route to teaching in Alabama, allowing individuals to gain the necessary qualifications for the classroom.
Higher Education Transitional Certificate (HETC
A Higher Education Transitional Certificate (HETC) is available for those with teaching experience at a regionally-accredited college or university, and requires a Letter of Eligibility and documentation of teaching experience. This certificate is valid for up to three years and leads to a Professional Educator Certificate.
It is available in certain K-12, 4-8, and 6-12 teaching fields. To apply, applicants must submit a background clearance and meet the GPA and Praxis exam score requirements. Once approved, the HETC allows the holder to teach in Alabama for a maximum of three years. After that time, they must obtain a Professional Educator Certificate to continue teaching.
Emergency Certificate
The Emergency Certificate is requested by the employing school superintendent for vacant positions and is valid for up to two years. It is available to those with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. It does not lead to professional certification in Alabama.
To qualify, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Requested by the school superintendent
- Valid for up to two years
- Does not lead to professional certification in Alabama
Testing Requirements for Alabama Alternative Certification
Candidates pursuing an alternative teaching certificate in Alabama must take the Alabama Educator Certification Testing Program, which includes Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching, edTPA Educative Teacher Performance Assessment, and Foundations of Reading.
Additionally, Praxis Subject Assessments (SAs) are required for endorsement areas, unless waived. The tests are administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and must be taken to qualify for certification. The scores of the tests are an essential factor in determining eligibility for the certificate.
Moreover, depending on the endorsement area, some additional tests must be taken. For example, for the 6-12 endorsement area, Mathematics and English Language Arts tests must be taken.
Therefore, it is important to plan ahead and be aware of the tests that must be taken and the scores needed to qualify for the certificate.
Transferring Teaching Licenses From Another State
Reciprocity with Alabama for transferring teacher certification is based on a thorough evaluation of the candidate’s previous educational and professional experience. If approved, applicants can transfer their teaching license from another state with ease and save time in the process.
Here are some of the important steps to take when applying for reciprocity in the state:
- Contact the ALSDE for more information.
- Submit a Letter of Eligibility and documentation of teaching experience.
- Complete any required exams such as Praxis and edTPA.
- Review the Teacher Certification Reciprocity Guide.
Additional Resources
For those looking to pursue alternative teaching routes in Alabama, there are a variety of resources available to provide guidance and information. These resources include Alabama Approved Educator Preparation Institutions, the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE), the Teacher Certification Reciprocity Guide, and references from the Alabama State Department of Education.
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Alabama Approved Educator Preparation Institutions | Provides information on how to become certified in Alabama as well as the necessary qualifications for certification. |
| ALSDE | The official website of the Alabama State Department of Education, which provides information on the requirements for certification. |
| Teacher Certification Reciprocity Guide | Contains information on how to transfer teaching licenses from another state and obtain certification in Alabama. |
| References | Includes information from the Alabama State Department of Education on the testing requirements for alternative certification. |
Conclusion
Alternative certification in Alabama is a viable option for individuals looking to pursue a career in education. With the proper qualifications, individuals can pursue various types of alternative teaching licenses, such as a Provisional Certificate in a Teaching Field (PCTF), Higher Education Transitional Certificate (HETC), or Emergency Certificate. All of these require some form of testing and background check.
Transferring teaching licenses from another state is also a possibility through a reciprocity agreement. With the right resources, individuals can take the necessary steps to become a teacher in Alabama.
