{"id":1195,"date":"2024-06-11T12:31:14","date_gmt":"2024-06-11T12:31:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/education.delaware.gov\/legacy\/licensure-and-certification\/educators-certification\/new-de-educators\/teacher-k-12\/"},"modified":"2025-06-13T14:18:12","modified_gmt":"2025-06-13T14:18:12","slug":"teacher-k-12","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/education.delaware.gov\/legacy\/home\/educators\/licensure-and-certification\/educators-certification\/new-de-educators\/teacher-k-12\/","title":{"rendered":"Teacher K-12 Certification"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:104%;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\"><div>\n<p>Certification is required for all K-12 Teachers working in Delaware&#8217;s public school system. This Teacher K-12 Certification page includes the following sections:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#lic\">License Overview<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#cert\">Certificate Overview<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#dproc\">Registering for an Educator Account in DEEDS<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#dstep\">DEEDS Application Process Steps<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#k12req\">Teacher K-12 Documentation Requirements<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#dgfs\">Documentation Guidelines for Submission<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#k12reg\">Teacher K-12 Certification Regulations<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p id=\"lic\">Applying for Delaware licensure and certification is a two-step process, in that you must hold both a License and at least one Certificate. The License authorizes you to work in a Delaware public\/charter school, and the Certificate(s) identifies the area(s) in which you are authorized to teach.<\/p>\n<h2>License Overview<\/h2>\n<p>Delaware defines &#8220;License&#8221; as a credential that authorizes the holder to engage in the practice for which the license is issued. A Delaware educator holds only one license; however, the license type depends on experience as outlined below.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/education.delaware.gov\/legacy\/page\/3690\">Initial License<\/a>: If you are a brand new educator or have more than one year but less than four years of licensed teaching experience, you should apply for an Initial License.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/education.delaware.gov\/legacy\/page\/3693\">Continuing License<\/a>: If you have over four years of licensed teaching experience, you should apply for a Continuing License.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/education.delaware.gov\/legacy\/page\/3698\">Advanced License<\/a>: If you have received National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification, you should apply for an Advanced License.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"#top\">Top of Page<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2 id=\"cert\">Certificate Overview<\/h2>\n<p>A Delaware educator can hold multiple certificates to certify their education in a specific area of expertise. The certificate types are detailed below.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/education.delaware.gov\/legacy\/page\/3694\">Standard Certificate<\/a>: Delaware defines &#8220;Standard Certificate&#8221; as a credential issued to certify that an educator has the prescribed knowledge, skill or education to practice in a particular area to teach a particular subject, or to teach a category of students. Find your certification area by reviewing <a href=\"https:\/\/education.delaware.gov\/community\/governance\/regulations-code\/regulation-index\/?chapter=1500\">Delaware&#8217;s list of Standard Certificates<\/a>. The <a href=\"https:\/\/education.delaware.gov\/educators\/psb\/\">Professional Standards Board<\/a> promulgates the regulations governing certification.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/education.delaware.gov\/legacy\/page\/3666#defemg\">Emergency Certificate<\/a>: Delaware defines &#8220;Emergency Certificate&#8221; as a temporary credential issued to an educator who has obtained employment or an offer of employment with an employing authority and holds a valid Delaware Initial, Continuing, or Advanced License, but lacks the necessary skills and knowledge to immediately meet certification requirements in a specific content area.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/education.delaware.gov\/legacy\/page\/3666#defcoe\">Certificate of Eligibility<\/a>: Delaware defines &#8220;Certificate of Eligibility&#8221; (COE) as a credential issued to an educator who is participating in a state-approved, appropriate, alternative route to licensure and certification program for teachers of students with disabilities and holds a valid Delaware Initial, Continuing, or Advanced License.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"#top\">Top of Page<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2 id=\"dstep\">DEEDS Application Process Steps<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Log in to your DEEDS account via the <a href=\"https:\/\/launchpad.classlink.com\/ddoe\">EdAccess login page<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Apply for the appropriate License and Certificate(s) for the content area you want to teach.<\/li>\n<li>Have a credit card (not a debit card) at hand. There will be a one-time $100 application fee, which is reimbursable upon employment in a Delaware public or charter school when the educator is fully licensed and certified.<\/li>\n<li>Request to send all official documentation:\n<ul>\n<li>All official transcripts.<\/li>\n<li>Test Scores (Praxis, ACTFL.) &#8211; if applicable (not required for reciprocity applications)<\/li>\n<li>Proof of student teaching, if not on your transcript.<\/li>\n<li>Copy of your out-of-state credential, if applicable.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/education.delaware.gov\/legacy\/page\/3484\">Verification of Experience<\/a> (Form E or Form E\/NT), if applicable (for out-of-state reciprocity applicants)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Upon receipt of all documentation, DDOE Staff will review the application and documentation.<\/li>\n<li>DDOE staff will update your application status within DEEDS. You can monitor the application progress by clicking the &#8220;View My Applications&#8221; button on the DEEDS Educator Dashboard. Each application is shown with progress banners to indicate where the application is within the review and approval process.<\/li>\n<li>If additional documentation is needed to process your application, then a red &#8220;Respond to Deficiency&#8221; button will appear on the DEEDS Educator Dashboard. You will need to respond to the deficiency from within the DEEDS application, providing whatever additional information is requested in order for the application process to continue. This is the communication between DDOE and the applicant during the application process.<\/li>\n<li>You may apply for employment while your License and Certificate(s) are pending. Districts and charter schools will have access to your application information via DEEDS.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><a href=\"#top\">Top of Page<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2 id=\"k12req\">Teacher K-12 Documentation Requirements<\/h2>\n<p>The following items must be sent. To ensure speedy processing, please ensure that you follow the <a href=\"#dgfs\">documentation guidelines for submission<\/a>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Official Transcript(s) &#8211; minimum of a Bachelor\u2019s Degree.<\/li>\n<li>Student Teaching on an official transcript. Proof of student teaching, if this does not appear on your transcript.<\/li>\n<li>Copy of current and valid out-of-state license, if applicable.<\/li>\n<li>Scores on Performance Assessments (ETS, Pearson, ACTFL, other State-authorized).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/education.delaware.gov\/legacy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/06\/updated_forme_030922.pdf\">Form E (Verification of Teaching Experience)<\/a> &#8211; if you have over one year of out-of-state teaching experience<\/li>\n<li>Test scores should be forwarded to the Delaware Department of Education electronically upon your request.\n<ul>\n<li>For certificates requiring Praxis II, <a href=\"https:\/\/praxis.ets.org\/\">Educational Testing Service (ETS)<\/a> administers the Praxis tests. Please use Reporting Code R7065.<\/li>\n<li>For certificates requiring American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.languagetesting.com\/\">Language Testing International<\/a> administers the ACTFL tests.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>If you are applying with credentials from <a href=\"https:\/\/education.delaware.gov\/legacy\/page\/3504\">out of state<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/education.delaware.gov\/legacy\/page\/3505\">out of country<\/a>, there may be additional requirements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"#top\">Top of Page<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2 id=\"dgfs\">Documentation Guidelines for Submission<\/h2>\n<p>All documents, with the exception of copies of out-of-state and\/or national certificates (if applicable), must be official, meaning that they must be sent directly from the appropriate third party (e.g., the college\/university, testing organization, former employer, independent credentialing agency) to the Department electronically to <a href='znvy61:qrrq5mq1rlxcdlqrl75'>d&#101;ed&#115;&#64;do&#101;&#46;k12.&#100;e.&#117;s<\/a>, or forwarded unopened, by mail to the Department by the candidate. Applicants submitting test scores should be sure to review the <a href=\"https:\/\/education.delaware.gov\/legacy\/page\/3487\">Testing Guidelines<\/a> for test-specific submission procedures. <a href=\"#top\">Top of Page<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2 id=\"k12reg\">Teacher K-12 Certification Regulations<\/h2>\n<p>The following regulations, promulgated by the Professional Standards Board, govern the requirements for the specific certification. It is recommended that candidates become familiar with the regulations that are specific to their employment.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1520\">1520 Early Childhood Teacher<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1521\">1521 Elementary Teacher<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1522\">1522 Elementary School Counselor<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1531\">1531 Middle Level English Language Arts Teacher<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1532\">1532 Middle Level Mathematics Teacher<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1533\">1533 Middle Level Science Teacher<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1534\">1534 Middle Level Social Studies Teacher<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1539\">1539 Health Education Teacher<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1540\">1540 Secondary English Language Arts Teacher<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1542\">1542 Secondary Mathematics Teacher<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1543\">1543 Secondary Science Teacher<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1544\">1544 Secondary Social Studies Teacher<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1545\">1545 Secondary School Counselor<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1549\">1549 Dance Teacher<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1550\">1550 AgriScience Teacher<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1551\">1551 Business Education Teacher<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1553\">1553 Driver Education and Traffic Safety Education Teacher<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1554\">1554 Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1555\">1555 Marketing Education Teacher<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1556\">1556 School To Work Transition Teacher<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1557\">1557 Technology Education Teacher<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1558\">1558 Theater Teacher<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1559\">1559 Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1560\">1560 Art Teacher<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1561\">1561 Bilingual Teacher<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1562\">1562 Teacher of English Learners<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1563\">1563 Music Teacher<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1564\">1564 Physical Education Teacher<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1565\">1565 World Language Teacher<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1570\">1570 Early Childhood Exceptional Children Special Education Teacher<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1571\">1571 Special Education Teacher of Students with Disabilities<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1572\">1572 Teacher of Students Who Are Gifted and Talented<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1573\">1573 Teacher of Students with Autism or with Severe Intellectual Disabilities<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1574\">1574 Teacher of Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1575\">1575 Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1580\">1580 School Library Media Specialist<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1581\">1581 School Reading Specialist<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1582\">1582 School Nurse<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1583\">1583 School Psychologist<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1584\">1584 School Social Worker<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1590\">1590 Delaware Administrator Standards<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1591\">1591 School Principal and Assistant School Principal<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1592\">1592 Certified Central Office Personnel<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1593\">1593 Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1594\">1594 Special Education Director<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1595\">1595 Certification Programs for Leaders in Education<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1597\">1597 Delaware Professional Teaching Standards<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1598\">1598 Delaware Professional Development Standards<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title14\/1599\">1599 Delaware Educational Technology Standards<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#top\">Top of Page<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Delaware Department of Education<br \/>Licensure and Certification<br \/>Collette Education Resource Center<br \/>35 Commerce Way, Suite 1<br \/>Dover, DE 19904<\/p>\n<p><strong>Feel free to contact us:<\/strong><br \/>M-F 8:00 AM-4:30 PM<br \/>302-857-3388<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/education.delaware.gov\/educators\/child-care-licensing-and-careers\/educator-credentialing\/contact-us\/\">Contact Us &#8211; Delaware Department of Education<\/a><\/p>\n<a href='znvy61:qrrq5mq1rlxcdlqrl75?57owrp6=9ro5v6r%dbsrrqonpx'>Website Feedback<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"swlastmodifeddate\">Last Modified on July 19, 2022<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":1132,"menu_order":7,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"protect_children":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1195","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"checksum":["8b390f11c74a8ff3232063e7bec9bb79afe214fd"],"sw_mod_date":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/education.delaware.gov\/legacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1195","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/education.delaware.gov\/legacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/education.delaware.gov\/legacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/education.delaware.gov\/legacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/education.delaware.gov\/legacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1195"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/education.delaware.gov\/legacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1195\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/education.delaware.gov\/legacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1132"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/education.delaware.gov\/legacy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1195"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}