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Teacher Certification

Teacher Education and Certification Office works with school districts and universities to grant educator certifications, approve teacher preparation programs, and administer teacher recognition programs. It is committed to support the State Board of Education and Early Development's strategic priority to ensure high-quality educators for Alaska's children. TEACH AK is a NEW online system and requires a one-time registration process that all educators will need to complete prior to renewal and new applications. 

Teacher Certification

Certificate Types

Teacher

 

Initial Two-Year or Three-Year Professional Out-of-State Professional Initial Five-Year Master Reemployment

District Sponsored

Limited Type M: Language & Culture Limited Type M: Military Science Limited Type M: Career-Technical Limited Type W: Immersion World Language Emergency Teacher Initial Program Enrollment
View Teaching Certificates & Processes

Administrative

Type B: Provisional (2-year) Type B: Regular (5-year) Type B: Reemployment

District Sponsored

Limited Type B: Superintendent Emergency Administrator
View Administrative Certificates & Processes

Special Services

Type C: Provisional (2-year) Type C: Regular (5-year) Type K: Advanced Special Services Type C: Reemployment

District Sponsored

Type C: Program Enrollment
View Special Services Certificates & Processes

Misc. Certificates and Processes

Type E: Early Childhood Education Limited type I: Instructional Assistant Student Teacher Authorization Endorsement Information Retired/Lifetime Certificate Reinstatement From A Retired/Lifetime Background Check Name Change

Synchronize Certificates’ End Dates

View Miscellaneous Certificates & Processes

District Sponsored

Certification Information and Requirements

The Educator Application & Certification Hub Alaska (TEACH-AK) is an online certification system. Certificate holders can view, download, and print active certificates through the application dashboard. Certificate renewals, extensions, and new applications will take place within TEACH-AK.

General Information & Requirements

Fall 2024 Temporary Teacher Certification Provisions:

Certificate Effective Dates:

  • First time applications submitted ON/BEFORE August 1st –
    If the application is complete, the effective date will be the submission date. If an application is not complete, Teacher Certification will reach out to the applicant via email. Once resolved by the applicant, DEED will back date the effective date of the certificate to August 1st.
  • Renewal/Extension applications submitted ON/BEFORE August 1st –
    Teacher Certification will adjust the effective date as needed by the certificate to ensure there is no lapse in certification.
  • First time applications/renewals/extensions submitted AFTER August 1st –
    Effective dates will not be back dated. The effective date of the certificate will be the date that a complete application was submitted.

60-day extension to AS 14.20.010:

AS 14.20.010 states that an educator may not teach more than three months without a certification. It also allows for a 60-day extension of that timeline upon written approval of DEED. At this time, DEED is providing for an extension of 60 days for any educator who submitted their application to Teacher Certification prior to August 1st. Per this extension, teachers will be able to continue employment as a teacher for 150 days while their certification is processed.

Processing Status

Due to increased volume, application processing time is delayed.

Below are the approximate processing times from the date a completed application has been submitted.

Online Renewals: 10 - 12 weeks

First Time Applicants: 12 - 14 weeks

We are processing First Reviews of applications submitted on: 5/14/2024

We are currently processing Second Reviews of applications submitted on: 4/9/2024

Thank you for your patience.

Updates

Please be advised that the Teacher Certification Office will not be taking phone calls during the month of August to expedite the processing of applications. 

If your inquiry is urgent, please leave a voicemail with your name, phone number, email address, and a detailed question. We will respond to urgent matters as promptly as possible.

Thank you for your understanding.

Contact Us

Questions: 907-465-2831 

Messages will be returned within 48 hours

Login/Technical Support: eed.tech@alaska.gov

Application Documents: tcwebmail@alaska.gov 

Mailing Address for fingerprint cards: 

Alaska Dept. of Education & Early Development

PO Box 110500

Juneau, AK 99811-0500

Frequently Asked Questions

Responsibilities of Educators Holding Alaskan Certificates

  • Adhere to the Alaska Code of Ethics of the Education Profession.
  • Notify the Department of Education & Early Development of name and/or any address changes (4 AAC 12.415).
  • Know your certificate's effective and expiration dates. Your effective date is the date the complete application packet is received by Teacher Education and Certification. The Department of Education & Early Development does not notify individuals of impending expiration dates. Visit the Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
  • Meet renewal requirements before your renewal date.
  • Keep abreast of any changes in certification regulations.
  • Notify a school district within 90 days of hire, of any sick leave that you expect to transfer from previous employment. (AS 14.14.107) Sick leave can only be transferred if the teacher's service has been continuous within the Alaska public school system. Continuous service is defined as up to the last day of a school term and beginning within 30 days of the start of the next school term. ( 4 AAC 15.040(a)(2) & 4 AAC 15.900(2))

Online Services

Certificate Lookup

Check the certification status of a teacher employed in an Alaska school district.

Certificate Lookup

District Communication Hub

This portal contains detailed information on certificates and application statuses for educators, accessible only through registration and approval.

Register here

Login

Apply for a New Certificate

Apply for a New Certificate

Extend your Certificate

Renew your Certificate

Login

Quick Links

Sites of Interest

Alaska Teacher Placement (ATP) Alaska Teacher Retirement System (TRS) Teacher Loan Forgiveness Educator Accountability and Support Professional Teaching Practices Commission (PTPC) Educator Qualifications Teacher Recognition Programs Alaska's Equity Plan Alaska Troops to Teachers