I need to apply for my first teaching certificate
How To Apply For Your Nebraska Teaching Certificate-
Apply on-line to the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) at: www.education.ne.gov/tcert and click on "TEACH Dashboard LogIn" on the left side of the page. Make payment at time of application.
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If you have not been a continuous Nebraska resident for the past five (5) years the Nebraska Department of Education requires that you submit fingerprints. Click on the link for directions: https://cdn.education.ne.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/FP-Directions.pdf
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If you are a recent graduate, UNL will send your Institutional Verification to the NDE after your student teaching grades/degree post, so no additional action is required. You are responsible for ordering an official UNL transcript through MyRed.
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 school year during the past 5 years, the Nebraska Department of Education requires that you complete 6 hours of approved coursework to renew your certificate. For teachers whose certificates have expired more than five years, 15 hours of coursework is required.
UNL’s College of Education & Human Sciences offers numerous classes online and on campus. Please access the Schedule of Classes.
*ADMISSION TO THE UNL GRADUATE COLLEGE*
The first step to renewing your certificate is to apply to the UNL Graduate College. You should apply as a non-degree student and select renewal within the application, which can be found at www.unl.edu/gradstudies
Alternative Permit Pathway 6 (6-credit hour renewal): 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.
Alternative Permit Pathway 7 (15-credit hour renewal): Contact the Certification Officer (sskretta2@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 addressing Current Issues in Education (i.e.,special education, gifted education, reading and writing in the content area, school law); and coursework directly related to your 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 the Nebraska Department of Education (nde.tcertweb@nebraska.gov).
- 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 (https://dc2.education.ne.gov/tc_interactive_teaching2/Transcripts.aspx).
- Email the Certification Officer (sskretta2@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 for licensure to demonstrate proficiency by passing the Praxis Content exam for the endorsement area(s) for which certification is being requested.
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.
