An illustration of certification pathways for out of state educators to become certified in Connecticut: out of state, global and non-certified

Connecticut prides itself on offering out-of-state educators multiple pathways to obtain the appropriate certification/authorization required to work in Connecticut schools on behalf of all Connecticut students.

In addition to its 21 approved in-state Educator Preparation Programs, Connecticut participates in the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement (NIA). Under this agreement, Connecticut may accept completion of a state-approved educator preparation program at a regionally accredited college or university from another U.S. state or territory, or a minimum of 30 months of successful full-time experience under the other state’s valid educator certificate (at least equivalent to a Connecticut initial educator certificate), appropriate to the subject area being requested. To be considered, the experience must be completed within 10 years of the date of application for Connecticut certification.


Out-of-State Educators (U.S. and Territories)

 
Certificate/Permit Type Details
Initial Educator Certificate
  • Out-of-state educator preparation planned program completer;
  • Three-year certificate;
  • All coursework and testing requirements have been met.
Provisional Educator Certificate
  • Out-of-state educator preparation planned program completer;
  • Thirty months of successful out-of-state service under a valid certificate from that state;
  • Eight-year certificate;
  • Qualifies for testing exemption.
Durational Shortage Area Permit (DSAP)
  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution;
  • 12 semester hours of cred in the subject area; and
  • Requires enrollment in a certification program; unless candidate is adding a cross-endorsement to an existing certificate; and
  • Evidence of Enrollment form (ED 177 application attachment) requires signature of district & certification office from the university.
Interim Non-Renewable (Initial/Provisional)
  • Out-of-state educator preparation planned program completer;
  • Three-year certificate;
  • Three-year testing deferral for outstanding testing requirement(s);
  • For the provisional level certificate: Twenty months of successful out-of-state service under a valid certificate from that state.
Interim (Initial/Provisional) Certificate
  • Out-of-state educator preparation planned program completer;
  • One-year to complete outstanding coursework;
  • For the initial level certificate: One-year certificate;
  • For the provisional level certificate: Three-year certificate;
  • For the provisional level certificate: Twenty months of successful out-of-state service under a valid certificate from that state.
Military Spouse Teacher Permit
  • Three-year “military spouse teacher permit;”
  • For educators who spouse has received military orders directing them to Connecticut;
  • Requires two or more years of teaching experience under an appropriate certificate in another state(s), and the completion of a special education course that includes gifted and talented students; and
  • Educators are exempt from the TEAM program.

Global Educators

 
Certificate/Permit Type Details
Durational Shortage Area Permit (DSAP)
  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution;
  • 12 semester hours of credits in the subject area; and
  • Requires enrollment in a certification program; unless candidate is adding a cross-endorsement to an existing certificate; and
  • Evidence of Enrollment form (ED 177 application attachment) requires signature of district & certification office from the university.
Initial Educator Certificate
  • Out-of-state educator preparation planned program completer;
  • Three-year certificate;
  • All coursework and testing requirements have been met.
Provisional Educator Certificate
  • Out-of-state educator preparation planned program completer;
  • Thirty months of successful out-of-state service under a valid certificate from that state;
  • Eight-year certificate;
  • Qualifies for testing exemption.
Interim Non-Renewable (Initial/Provisional)
  • Out-of-state educator preparation planned program completer;
  • Three-year certificate;
  • Three-year testing deferral for outstanding testing requirement(s);
  • For the provisional level certificate: Twenty months of successful out-of-state service under a valid certificate from that state.
Interim (Initial/Provisional) Certificate
  • Out-of-state educator preparation planned program completer;
  • One-year to complete outstanding coursework;
  • For the initial level certificate: One-year certificate;
  • For the provisional level certificate: Three-year certificate;
  • For the provisional level certificate: Twenty months of successful out-of-state service under a valid certificate from that state.
Visiting International Teacher Permit (VITP)

VITP issued for one year – renewable up to two times Teachers are serving under J-1 Visa

Visiting Teachers from Spain – Spanish teachers
  • Teachers are fully certified, most have master’s degrees, at least 3 years of teaching experience, and backgrounds in bilingual and multicultural education;
  • Timeline October-March: Screen applicants and confirm exact need for teachers in CT districts; April: Interviews with districts; April-June: Credential evaluations; July: Teacher orientation in Madrid; August: Teachers arrive and get settled in CT; August-October: Mentoring in schools; October-June: On-going support and guidance for teachers; and
  • District Responsibility: Find sponsoring agency, provide salary and benefits, provide mentoring, support and professional development.
Confucius Institute – Mandarin Chinese teachers
  • Teacher recruited from China – mostly with master’s degrees, teaching certification, at least 3 years of teaching experience, and proficient in English (must pass ACTFL OPI); and
  • Jointly funded by CCSU and the Chinese National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language: school districts are asked to pay 50% of salary; CI will cover remaining 50% as well as cover teacher benefits and insurance.

Non-Certified

 
Certificate/Permit Type Details
Approved Nonpublic School Teachers:
  • 20 months of successful out-of-state approved nonpublic school experience will waive the planned educator preparation program requirement;
  • Official undergraduate transcript evaluation conducted to ensure completion of Connecticut’s coursework requirement; and
  • May be subject to Connecticut’s certification tests.
Charter School Permit (CSEP)
  • Authorizes service in approved state public charter schools only;
  • Permit authorizes service in a specific charter school;
  • Requirements: Application form ED 710, verification of bachelor’s degree from regionally accredited institution, and passing scores on Connecticut assessment(s) corresponding to the endorsement area sought; and
  • Note: no more than 30% of school staff may serve under a CSEP during a given school year.
Resident Educator Certificate
  • RELAY Connecticut program completer;
  • All assessment requirements have been met; and
  • Successful service under the Resident Educator Certificate leads to standard Initial Educator Certificate.
Initial/1-Year Interim/1-Year Non-Renewable Interim Vocational & Technical Educator Certificate
Connecticut Technical and Education Career System (CTECS)
  • Occupational Subjects (#090);
  • Practical Nurse Education in Vocational-Technical Schools (#108); and
  • Health Occupations in Vocational-Technical Schools (#109).
Comprehensive High Schools
  • Trade and Industrial Occupations (#098);
  • Agriculture/Aquaculture Education (#041);
  • Health Occupations (#103);
  • Marketing Education (#089); and
  • Cooperative Work Education (#104).
Junior Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (JROTC) Certificate
  • Five-year JROTC Advanced Instructor certificate endorsed for Senior/Advanced Military Instructors (#310);
  • Submission of Department of Defense (DOD) Certificate required with application; and
  • There is no fee for this certificate.
Adjunct Arts Instructor Permit
  • Three-year permit that authorizes teaching an arts subject in a part-time arts magnet high school only;
  • Requirements: Application form ED 198, completion of a bachelor’s degree, three years of experience in the artistic field, and the completion of at least 180 hours of experience working with children.
Out-of-State Educators Global Educators Non-Certified