If you are a school district/charter looking to fill an area of need with a candidate who does not hold an appropriate certificate/endorsement, there are Alternative Authorization options available.
Note: Access the Alternative Authorization Overview and Guidance video here.
This alternative authorization allows a local education agency to request an instructional certificate for an individual who possess distinct content knowledge and skills to teach in a content area.
The candidate must show proof of a certification program, to be included with the application. Completed applications will be approved by a Professional Standards Commission (PSC) staff member. Atypical applications will be reviewed by the Authorizations Committee. Upon approval, the candidate will be issued a three-year, non-renewable, Interim Certificate. During the three years, all program and state specific requirements, if applicable, will need to be completed to qualify for a five-year Standard Instructional.
To fill out an application, click the Content Specialist Application Packet accordion button in the Resource Files tab below.
This certification option is only available for candidates that are currently certificated in Idaho, but do not hold the endorsement for the area of need. The purpose of this alternative authorization is to allow Idaho school districts to request endorsement/certification when a professional position cannot be filled with someone who has the correct endorsement/certification.
Teacher to New-Certificate Option I will receive a three-year, non-renewable, Interim Certificate. Teacher to New-Endorsement Option I will receive a one (1) year certificate and may be renewed for two (2) additional years with evidence of satisfactory progress towards completion of state approved preparation program.
Requirements to complete during your authorization and then apply for a revision of your certificate:
Option I Candidates – College/University
- Complete an educator preparation program and obtain an Institutional Recommendation
To fill out an application, click open the Teacher to New Application Packet accordion button in the Resource Files tab below.
This certification option is only available for candidates that are currently certificated in Idaho, but do not hold the endorsement for the area of need. The purpose of this alternative authorization is to allow Idaho school districts to request endorsement/certification when a professional position cannot be filled with someone who has the correct endorsement/certification. Existing certificate holders cannot add an endorsement by taking just a Praxis. Performance must be measured by also completing a one-year state board approved mentoring program. This is an expedited route requested by a district/charter through an Alternative Authorization – Teacher to New.
Teacher to New-Endorsement Option I will receive a one (1) year certificate and may be renewed for two (2) additional years with evidence of satisfactory progress towards completion of state approved preparation program. Otherwise, candidates will receive a one (1) year-non renewable certificate when using Option II or Option III.
Requirements to complete during your authorization and then apply for a revision of your certificate:
Option I Candidates – College/University
- Complete an educator preparation program and obtain an Institutional Recommendation
Option II Candidates – Master’s degree in the content area - One (1) year, non-renewable certificate
- Signed District/Charter and Mentor Recommendation for Alternative Authorization – Teacher to New Endorsement OPTION II and III Completers form confirming completion of a State Board Approved Mentor Program
Option III Candidates – content area assessment plus mentoring - One (1) year, non-renewable certificate
- Passage of the applicable Praxis II assessment(s) in the endorsement area or passage of the applicable ABCTE assessments; completed baccalaureate degree in the content area; or meet or exceed the required number of points using the Uniform Standard for Evaluating Content Competency (rubric)
- One (1) year state board-approved mentoring program. Signed District/Charter and Mentor Recommendation for Alternative Authorization-Teacher to New Endorsement Option II and III Completers form confirming completion of a State Board Approved Mentor Program.
- If using the Uniform Standard for Evaluating Content Competency (rubric) as the content assessment, or holds a Masters or baccalaureate degree in the content area being requested, include documentation with Alternative Authorization application.
This Alternative Authorization allows a local education agency to request certification and endorsements for a candidate when a position requiring a Pupil Service Staff certificate cannot be filled. The candidate will be a issued a three-year, non-renewable, Interim Certificate. The Alternative Authorization-Pupil Service Staff can be used for School Counselor, School Counselor-Basic, School Social-Worker, Speech Language Pathologist and School Psychologist. The candidate must hold a baccalaureate degree. School Psychologist must hold a baccalaureate degree in Psychology. Please visit our Pupil Service Staff certification page for Interim School Nurse information.
To fill out an application, click open the Pupil Service Staff Application Packets accordion button in the Resource Files tab below.
The State Board of Education (SBOE) will review complete Emergency Provisional applications. The Emergency Provisional allows a school district or charter school to request a one-year certification/endorsement in an emergency for a candidate who does not hold the required Idaho certificate/endorsement to fill a position. The candidate must have completed 48 credits or hold an associate degree.
- Emergency Provisionals cannot be used for Special Education, Administrator, Pupil Service Staff or Career Technical Education (CTE) endorsement(s)/certificate(s). For more information pertaining to the CTE Emergency Provisional procedure, contact Tracie Bent at tracie.bent@cte.idaho.gov or by calling (208) 429-5502.
- Applications received after January 1 of the school year must be due to the school district/charter school losing a staff member after January 1 of the school year.
The applications for Emergency Provisionals are required to be submitted to the Department of Education at least six weeks prior to the State Board of Education meeting. Incomplete applications will not be placed on the State Board of Education agenda for consideration.
To fill out an application, click open the State Board of Education Emergency Provisional Certificate accordion button in the Resource Files tab below.
