Certification to become a teacher in Connecticut is a multi-year process. The state relies on a three-tier continuum that includes a three-year Initial Educator Certificate followed by an eight-year Provisional Educator Certificate and finally, a five-year Professional Educator Certificate. If you are coming from out of state and have not completed the testing requirements, you can also apply for an Interim Educator Certificate that lasts for one year.

In order to qualify for the Initial Educator Certificate, you must hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with an approved teacher preparation program. You must also pass both the Praxis I Pre-professional Skills Test and the Praxis II Subject-Knowledge Test. In addition to these requirements, the applicant must also pay a $50 non-refundable review fee and a $100 certification fee.

Finding a place to teach in Connecticut will not be difficult. There are many large districts with high standards. Bridgeport Public Schools offers plenty of magnet school opportunities as well as a customized Talented and Gifted Program and was a Broad Prize finalist in both 2006 and 2007. Like Bridgeport, New Haven and Hartford also offer excellent magnet school opportunities. Their challenges as an urban school district are off-set by the the dedication of community leaders, educators, and the families. Stamford Public Schools boast a large amount of student awards, commendations, and some of the highest SAT scores in the state.

Due to the unique structure of the certification process for teachers in Connecticut, the certificates are not renewed until you have taught for 16 years. In order to obtain the Provisional Educator Certificate, you must have completed 10 months of successful teaching experience under the Initial Educator Certificate and completed the Beginning Educator Support and Training (BEST) program. After eight years, you are eligible for the Professional Educator Certificate if you have taught for 30 months under the Provisional Educator Certificate and completed any additional course requirements. After 16 years of teaching, when your Professional Educator Certificate finally comes up for renewal, you will need to have completed nine continuing education credits or six semester hours of graduate credit.