I need to apply for my first teaching certificate
How To Apply For Your Nebraska Teaching Certificate-
Apply on-line up to 30 days prior to degree/program completion to the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) at: www.education.ne.gov/tcert and click on “Online Application” at the bottom of the page on the left. Answer all questions as though your program is complete. Payment can be made by credit/debit card, check or money order.
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If you have not been a continuous Nebraska resident for the past 5 years the Nebraska Department of Education requires that you submit fingerprints. Please click on the link for directions: https://cdn.education.ne.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/FP-Directions.pdf
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Once your student teaching grades/degree post, UNL will send your Institutional Recommendation to the NDE. (If you receive correspondence from the NDE that they are missing this item, please let them know WHEN your program will be complete and note that UNL will send it at that time.) YOU are responsible for ordering a UNL e-transcript (to be sent once grades/degrees post) through MyRed, current student, transcripts, choose server and have it sent to bethina.garrett@nebraska.gov at the NDE.
I need to renew my teaching certificate
RENEWING YOUR NEBRASKA TEACHING CERTIFICATE Through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
If your certificate has not expired or has expired less than five years, and you have not taught half time or more for one (1) school year during the past 5 years, the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) will require that you complete 6 hours of approved coursework (graduate) to renew your certificate. For teachers whose certificates have expired more than 5 years, 15 hours of coursework (graduate) is required.
UNL’s College of Education & Human Sciences offers appropriate classes online as well as classes on campus that meet one night/week during the fall and spring semesters and daytime in the summer sessions. Please access the Schedule of Classes. If you wish to sort by only online classes, click on “additional search criteria” and under “location,” click on “Distance Delivery.”
*ADMISSION TO THE UNL GRADUATE COLLEGE*
You will need to apply as a non-degree student at www.unl.edu/gradstudies
The 6-credit hour program: Choose six graduate hours from 1) TEAC – Teaching, Learning & Teacher Education, EDPS – Educational Psychology, SPED – Special Education & Communication Disorders, SLPA – Speech Language Pathology, or CYAF – Child, Youth & Family Studies OR your endorsement area.
The 15-credit hour program: Contact the Certification Office (certification@unl.edu) to determine what courses you will take and how you will fulfill the practicum requirement. The NDE requires that you complete a course in Instructional Techniques; a Practicum consisting of 100 clock hours of contact with students in the classroom setting; a course which addresses Current Issues in Education – such as special education, gifted education, reading and writing in the content area, or school law; and Coursework Directly Related to the Applicant’s Area of Endorsement.
When you have completed the required coursework:
6-Hour Renewals:
- Apply online at NDE (https://www.education.ne.gov/tcert/) and pay the fee. Through your MyRed account, request that your official transcripts be sent to NDE per their instructions (https://dc2.education.ne.gov/tc_interactive_teaching2/Transcripts.aspx).
- No additional paperwork is required from UNL.
15-Hour Renewals:
- Apply online at NDE (https://www.education.ne.gov/tcert/) and pay the fee. Through your MyRed account, request that your official transcripts be sent to NDE per their instructions (https://dc2.education.ne.gov/tc_interactive_teaching2/Transcripts.aspx).
- Email the Certification Office (certification@unl.edu) to request an Institutional Verification form be sent to NDE and confirm you have completed the NDE application for renewal.
Nebraska Testing Requirements
The Nebraska Department of Education requires candidates to demonstrate basic skills competency by passing the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exams. Candidates are also required to pass a Praxis Subject Assessment for certification.
The Praxis PPST exams were replaced with the Praxis Core on September 1, 2014. If you passed the PPST you are not required to take the Praxis Core.
Information on the Nebraska Praxis exams can be viewed at the Praxis website, including how to register for the exam. The Nebraska Department of Education also has a comprehensive Content and Basic Skills test webpage, including study plans and links to Kahn Academy materials.
Certification Requirements for Other States
The University of Nebraska issues academic degrees which may not satisfy all requirements for professional credentials (e.g. certification, licensure) in other states or countries. Our educator preparation program is accredited and designed to align with the rules and regulations of Nebraska’s education credentialing entity, the Nebraska Department of Education. For additional licensure information, please go to the Executive Vice Chancellor's Licensure page.
Your CEHS educator program meets all Nebraska requirements for a teacher or administrator license. It does not meet licensure requirements for any other states.
If you wish to pursue a teacher or administrator license in another state, please contact that state’s department of education for a list of requirements.
