Alaska

• ETS discontinued paper-delivered testing.
• However, Praxis tests will continue to be available in a paper-delivered format as required for ADA accommodations.
• All scores for previously administered paper-delivered tests are reportable for 10 years from the date the test was taken.
• Alaska requires a Social Security number (SSN) in order to process educator certification paperwork. ETS does not require your SSN for its own purposes but will submit it to Alaska with your test results. Failure to provide your SSN will delay processing of your certification application.

Highly Qualified

• Alaska no longer requires teachers to be "Highly Qualified" per Alaska regulations and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
• As Alaska transitions to implement Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), teachers are encouraged to continue to demonstrate content knowledge in the subject areas that they have teaching assignments.
• Information regarding requirements previously referred to as "Highly Qualified" can now be found in the section named Educator Qualifications.

For initial certification in Alaska, all candidates need to:

• earn a baccalaureate degree.
• complete an approved educator preparation program.
• meet basic competency exam requirements, such as the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (Core) tests option.
• receive and submit a State Approved Program Verification.
• submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.
• submit appropriate certification fees.
• complete and pass a content area exam.

While holding an initial certificate, all candidates must:

• complete the required Alaska studies courses (PDF).
• complete the required multicultural/cross-cultural communication courses.

For complete details on certification requirements, including application forms, educator preparation programs, and out-of-state application procedures, access the Teacher Certification page of Alaska's Department of Education & Early Development.

• If you test in Alaska at a test center or at home, and your Praxis profile address is in Alaska, your score report will be sent automatically to the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development.
• If you test outside Alaska or your Praxis profile address is not in Alaska, your scores are NOT automatically sent to the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development. To have your scores sent to the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, you must select the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (state code 7027) as a score recipient when you register.
• For all methods of Praxis testing, to request additional score reports, you must select the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (state code 7027) with each additional score report request.

In Alaska, teacher candidates or those wishing to become certified may be required to take the Praxis tests.

• Prior to entering an educator preparation program at your college or university, you may be required to take the Core tests to demonstrate your qualifications.
• You may take the Core tests to satisfy the basic competency exam requirement for Initial Teacher certification. Approved Praxis Subject Assessments meet the content area exam requirement for Professional Teacher certification.
• You may also add endorsements to your teaching certificate in five areas. To add an endorsement, you must have 2 years of teaching experience in the desired content area as well as successfully complete the appropriate Praxis Subject Assessments.

Find answers to frequently asked questions about educator certification in the state of Alaska.

In Alaska, there are two endorsement methods that involve content area exams.

• Teacher Preparation Program: This method is completed through a university or through a state-approved program and includes student teaching. The teacher-preparation program will have associated content area exam(s) as part of the program. This is the only method to add grade levels to an endorsement.
• Content Area Exam & Teaching Experience: This method requires 2 years of teaching experience in the content area as well as passing scores on the endorsement-related Content Area Exam (PDF). Endorsements may only be added where content area exam(s) have been identified. Elementary, Early Childhood Education, Reading, English as a Second Language, or Special Education endorsements are not available through this method. Further explanation on Alaska's endorsement criteria can be found on the Alaska Teacher Certification website.

Alaska also accepts some historical Praxis tests. Please review the Content Area Exams (PDF) on the Alaska Teacher Certification website.

• Alaska no longer requires teachers to be "Highly Qualified" per Alaska regulations and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
• Under NCLB, teachers had to meet the high qualification requirement which was used for out-of-field. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which is the current authorization of ESEA, has eliminated highly qualified. In Alaska's ESSA State Plan, the required out-of-field definition is being determined.
• The Alaska Department of Education & Early Development (DEED) is proposing the following definition: an out-of-field teacher is a teacher teaching in a subject area that they are not endorsed to teach.
• As Alaska transitions to implement ESSA, teachers are encouraged to continue to demonstrate content knowledge in the subject areas for which they have teaching assignments.
• In addition, teachers are able to add endorsements with passing scores on the endorsement-related content area exam and 2 years of teaching experience in the content area. This option is only available where content area exam(s) have been identified and not for elementary, reading, or special education.
• Review the Alaska Teacher Certification for more information about educator qualification requirements in Alaska.

The ParaPro Assessment is the current state-approved assessment. Test takers must meet or exceed the following qualified score to pass the ParaPro Assessment and to meet the requirements for paraprofessionals under Title I.

Please check with your district to see if local testing is available before visiting the ParaPro website for testing locations. You must access the ParaPro website to register.

Alaska accepts Out of State (OOS) Certificates as the most common and easiest methods to become a certified teacher in Alaska. A current, valid Out-of-State teaching certificate can be used to apply for the extendable one-year Initial OOS certificate. Please complete an Initial Out-of-State (OOS) application (PDF).

Requirements

• To become a certified teacher, you will need to complete an Initial Out-of-State (OOS) application (PDF).
• You must also include your transcripts showing at least a bachelor's degree, a copy of your current teaching certificate, a fingerprint card, and the required fees.
• Your teaching certificate needs to be valid when you are scheduled to start a contract and verifiable online; otherwise, Teacher Certification needs an original teaching certificate.

Extensions

• At no cost, you can extend the OOS certificate to a second year by submitting passing scores on a Basic Competency Exam such as the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (Core).
• Also at no cost, you can extend the OOS certificate to a third and final year by submitting transcripts for an Alaska Multicultural Course and an Alaska Studies Course (PDF).
• Before your Initial OOS expires, you will file for the Professional certificate, or without the 2 years teaching experience requirement, the Second Initial. Both of these require a Content Area Exam (PDF).
• If your Initial certificate expires before you qualify for the extension(s) or the Professional/Second Initial, please contact the Alaska Teacher Certification staff at tcwebmail@alaska.gov.
• Review Alaska's Teacher Certification website for more information.