Certification
The Summer 2024 Certification Application will open in TK20 on June 17, 2024. In order to be included in the first batch mailed to the ALSDE (priority), please submit by July 14, 2024.
The Summer 2024 Certification Application will close completely on August 31, 2024.
Praxis Testing Information
Please see the link below for Praxis testing information
Applying for Certification
Applying for graduation and applying for teacher certification are two separate processes. The College of Education and Human Sciences does not certify teachers. The sole authority to certify teachers rests with the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE). A teacher candidate will not be recommended for certification until passing scores for all state mandated tests are officially on file with the Office of Educator Preparation at the University of North Alabama College of Education and Human Sciences.
Additionally, a complete application packet and recommendation for professional certification based on program completion must be received by ALSDE Educator Certification Section within four years (48 months) from the date of unconditional admission; otherwise, current requirements in effect at the time the application is received in the Educator Certification Section of the ALSDE will have to be met.
The teacher candidate is responsible for submitting
- the NAL form
- a transcript release form (which allows UNA to obtain and submit your transcript to the ALSDE on your behalf)
- the Citizenship Verification form (CIT) and
- a $30 application fee (or receipt of payment) to the UNA Certification Officer.
Certification applications are not submitted to the ALSDE by the UNA Certification Officer until your degree is confirmed (upon graduation), all requirements have been met, and all required documents are received and reviewed. These documents include the application fee, your official transcript, a completed Citizenship Verification form, and a completed NAL Form.
The certification materials should be submitted to the Certification Officer via TK20. Instructions on how to submit your certification paperwork on TK20 can be found at education/educator-preparation/certification-paperwork-via-tk20.pdf
The Office of Educator Preparation is your point of contact for certification questions, please do not contact the state department.
Please see the instructions below:
- Transcript Release Form
The Transcript Release Form can be found at the following link under the name Certification Transcript Request: https://www.una.edu/education/forms.html.
If you have not already completed this form please do and submit a copy to the Certification Officer along with your application materials.
- NAL Form
The NAL form is an online form located on the ALSDE website.Be sure to completely fill out all applicable information on the NAL, including the box labeled as “FOR STATISTICAL PURPOSES ONLY” as the ALSDE will not process the application if there are blanks. Once you complete the NAL you will be given an option to print a copy. Please print a copy and submit a signed and dated copy to the UNA Certification Office.
- Citizenship Verification (CIT) Form
Beginning August 2019, the Alabama State Department of Education now requires verification of US citizenship. Please complete the CIT form at the link below and submit it along with an acceptable form of ID. Your CIT form will be needed with your Certification application in order for it to be processed.
https://www.alabamaachieves.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/SUPPLEMENT-CIT.pdf
- Application Fee
A $30 non-refundable application fee is required for issuance of each certificate. Students in programs where two certificates will be received must pay $30 for EACH certificate ($60 total). Payment may be submitted in the form of a cashier's check or money order made payable to the Alabama State Department of Education. Personal checks and cash are not accepted. Application fees may also be paid through the Alabama state Department of Education Teacher Certification Online Payment System, using a major credit card, at https://www.alabamainteractive.org/education/. Your cashier's check, money order, or a receipt verifying online payment must be included with the application you submit to the UNA Certification Officer.
To submit:
The application fee (as a cashier's check, money order, or online payment confirmation receipt), completed NAL form, completed CIT form, and completed Transcript Release form are to be submitted to the Office of Educator Preparation via TK20. Instructions on how to submit your certification paperwork on TK20 can be found at https://www.una.edu/education/educator-preparation/files/certification-paperwork-via-tk20.pdf.
Thank you!
Resources for Advisors
For a list of approved diversity classes from other Alabama institutions contact our Interim Associate Dean & Director of Educator Preparation, Jean Ann Helm Allen, at jhelm@una.edu or 256-765-4560.