Teacher Certification Manual

PREFACE
The Teacher Certification Commission of the National Private School Association,
under the authority of State Codes and in accordance with the by-laws of the
National Private School Association, was established to certify teachers and
administrators who are hired to perform educational responsibilities within the
National Private School Association.
Realizing the importance of qualified personnel in maintaining academic integrity
with the National Private School Association, it is the purpose of the Commission
to establish, evaluate, and maintain standards for the certification of school
personnel.
According to the NPSA By-laws “The power to set standards for certification of
teachers shall be vested in a body of this association to be known as the National
Private School Association Teacher Certification Commission. Said Commission
shall be composed of two (2) members from each NPSA District who shall be
appointed by the President of the NPSA Executive Committee for a two (2) year
term and shall serve until their successors shall have been duly appointed or until
he/she shall resign, with the intent to create a stable, enduring commission of
respected educators. Members of the Commission may be chosen from within or
without the member schools of the association, but shall be chosen in such a
manner that two (2) shall reside in each district as hereinbefore provided.
The Commission and its executive agents assume only the responsibilities of
applying the established standards of the manual herein provided in determining
the qualifications of the candidates for certification. The employment or
termination of certified personnel is a function left totally to the discretion of the
individual school and its leadership.
Teacher certification recognition, as described in this manual, represents
certification in the National Private School Association and does not constitute any
automatic reciprocation with other certification entities.

National Private School Association
Teacher Certification Manual

NPSA Executive Director
John Lott
Director of Instruction
Sara Jones
Chairman of the Commission

Michael Rhodes

Printed under the authority of the National School
Association Teacher Certification Commission
Birmingham, AL
www.npsa-heartland.org
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
National Private School Association Teacher Certification Manual
Preface i
Table of Contents ii
Teacher Certification Requirements 1
Standard Certification 1
Pure Degree Certification 2
Provisional Certification 2
Emergency Status Certification 3
Alternate Route Certification 4
Re-Certification Requirements 4
Options for Certificate Renewal 4
Certificate Length & Renewal Procedure 5
Policies and Certificate Levels 6
Issuance of Certificates 6
Levels of Certification 6
Endorsement Areas 7
Drivers Education, Guidance, Foreign Languages 7
Library, Interdisciplinary, Junior High 8
Computer, Science, Administration 9
Appendix A: Certification Codes 10-11
Appendix B & C: Qualifying Test Scores 12-13
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Section I
Teacher Certification Requirements
To qualify for any NPSA certificate, a teacher candidate must be a graduate from a
College or university accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or a comparable
regional agency.
Candidates may qualify for certification by satisfying the required conditions
listed under one of the following certificate types.
STANDARD CERTIFICATION
To qualify for a standard certificate a candidate must hold an educational degree (BSEd.,
BAEd. or Med.) and must have met the qualifying scores on the Praxis I, Praxis II
and subject area tests. Qualifying scores are defined in Appendices B and C of this
manual. If a candidate has completed student teaching, Praxis scores are required.
The National Private School Association will reciprocate with a state of Standard
certificate for a period of time not to exceed the indicated expiration date of said
certificate.
The National Private School Association will reciprocate with any standard, valid out-of-state
certificate for a period of time not to exceed the indicated expiration date except
in the case of lifetime certificates.
The National Private School Association will reciprocate with state standard lifetime
certificates for a period of time not to exceed eight (8) years for a Bachelor’s Degree
and twelve (12) years for a Master’s Degree.
Graduates shall be issued a standard certificate for a period of time not to exceed five (5)
years for a Bachelor’s Degree and ten (10) years for a Master’s Degree from date of
graduation. Appropriate documentation must be provided verifying date of graduation, degree conferred (subject/major) and qualifying scores on the Praxis sequence.
1

PURE DEGREE CERTIFICATION
A teacher candidate who possesses a valid college “pure” degree (meaning a noneducational
degree) shall qualify for a special certificate in that area of his/her “pure”
degree.
Pure Degree teacher candidates must hold a degree in an endorsable area and/or have
their transcript evaluated by the Department of Instruction to determine the feasibility
of endorsement.
The evaluation will be based on a comparison of required course work in the area of
endorsement sought and course work that has been completed by the candidate in that
area.
For purposes of accreditation evaluation, a “Pure Degree” certificate based on a
Bachelor’s Degree shall be considered the equivalent of a Class A Certificate. In
addition, a “Pure Degree” certificate based on a Master’s Degree shall be considered
the equivalent of a Class AA Certificate, and a “Pure Degree” certificate based on a
Doctoral Degree shall be considered the equivalent of a Class AAA Certificate.
Candidates who are degreed in an un-endorsable area will be eligible for certification in
Junior High areas (included grades 5-8 if in a departmental format) if they hold 18
hours of college coursework as indicated in the course requirement section of this
manual. Those certified under this interdisciplinary degree option will not be eligible
for supplemental endorsement.
PROVISIONAL CERTIFICATION
Teacher candidates who hold an expired teacher’s certificate and have never been issued a NPSA Certificate, will be issued, with proper documentation, a one (1) year Provisional Certificate.
A Teacher who qualifies for a “Pure Degree” certificate, but has not graduated within
five (5) years of the request for certification will be issued a one (1) year Provisional
Certificate.
A teacher candidate graduating from a college or university not accredited by Regional
Association of Colleges and Schools or a comparable regional agency will have their
educational history evaluated by the Department of Instruction, and with
recommendation from the current school administrator, shall be granted a one (1)
year Provisional Certificate upon approval by the Teacher Certification Commission.
The Director of Instruction, if needed, will determine additional coursework.
A candidate for guidance certification who has met all course requirements for
endorsement but lacks the required internship shall be issued a Provisional Certificate
upon the request of the school administrator, provided the candidate is supervised
during the internship by a certified guidance counselor.
Any NPSA certificate holder who is inactive for a period of time, and is employed by a
NPSA member school with an expired certificate, will be granted a one-year
provisional certificate to provide additional time for completion of re-certification
requirements. Certificate holders may only use this option once. Any additional
sequence of leaving and returning to employment by a certificate holder would
require that the employee renew their certificate before returning to the classroom.
2

ALTERNATE ROUTE CERTIFICATION
A person holding a valid standard or “Pure Degree” NPSA Teacher’s Certificate may
obtain an additional endorsement in areas listed in Appendix A by providing
documentation of successful scores on the appropriate qualifying test, or by
completing 18 semester hours in the additional subject area of endorsement being
sought. Certification areas excluded from alternate route options include:
Administration/ Supervision, Guidance/Psychometric, and Driver Education.
A person holding a Bachelor’s Degree in a non-endorsable area from a college or
university accredited by Regional Association of Colleges and Schools or a
comparable regional agency may gain certification by providing documentation of
successful scores on the appropriate qualifying test of the area in which they are
seeking endorsement. Additional course work could be required depending on the
amount of course work already held in the endorsement area being pursued.
Candidates pursuing Drivers Education certification who hold a current valid “Pure
Degree” NPSA secondary certificate, may obtain endorsement by completing the
required 12 semester hours in Driver Education Training, successfully passing the
PPST, and completing a 3 hour professional education course approved by the NPSA
Director of Instruction.
EMERGENCY STATUS
An emergency certificate status shall be granted on a temporary basis in cases of dire
need and for short periods of time. The Director of Instruction shall review each case
and each decision shall be based on individual circumstances. Application for an
emergency certificate shall be made through the Headmaster of the school with the
signature of approval from the school board chairman of the institution making the
request.
Non-degree candidates are not eligible for emergency certification status. Exceptions
may be made by the Director of Instruction based on special circumstances and
qualification of the candidate under consideration.
There shall be no certificate issued, however, said status does acknowledge agreement
between administration, school board, and the National Private School Association
that an emergency situation does exist and that the employment of a non-certified
teacher is necessary. If proper procedure is followed, and all requirements are met,
then the employment of said candidate would not result in a major deficiency for the
school.
Extension of Emergency Certificate Status will be considered only if the candidate is
degreed and a plan for completing certification has been submitted to the Director of
Instruction prior to the ensuing school year. In addition, the school must tender
evidence that it has made every effort to employ a certified employee. Progress of the
candidate toward certification must be documented annually.
3

Section II
Re-certification Requirements
Upon the issuance of a NPSA teacher’s certificate, it is the responsibility of the certificate holder to
be time sensitive to the expiration date and to fulfill the requirements to renew the certificate.
OPTIONS FOR CERTIFICATE RENEWAL
Bachelor’s Degree certificate holders must complete 6 hours of coursework for a 5 year
renewal. Master’s Degree certificate holders must complete 3 hours of coursework
for a 10 year renewal. Certificate holders may renew their certificates by completing
one of the following options:
1. Completing six (Bachelor’s) three (Master’s) semester hours in
his or her major field of study.
2. Completing six (Bachelor’s) three (Master’s) semester hours
in his or her minor field of study.
3. Completing six (Bachelor’s) three (Master’s) semester
hours for the purpose of an advanced degree.
4. Completing six (Bachelor’s) three (Master’s) semester
hours for additional endorsements.
5. Completing six (Bachelor’s) three (Master’s) semester
hours for the purpose of educational advancement.
6. Completing ten (10) CEU’s (Bachelor’s) five (5) CEU’s
(Master’s) in workshops and seminars sponsored by agencies or
institutions authorized to issue CEU credit. CEU’s must be taken in a
teacher’s teaching area, or in an area that would relate to the enhancement
of teaching skills. It is the responsibility of the administration of the
school to approve CEU’s under the above stated criteria. Documentation
on CEU credit should not be submitted for certificate renewal until
requirements for renewal have been met. One CEU is defined as ten (10)
contact hours.
7. Participation in any workshop, seminar, or similar course that does not
carry college credit or CEU’s must be approved by the Director of
Instruction. The workshop/seminar shall receive no consideration unless
said course carries that academic integrity, content, and number of contact
hours required for college credit. The request must be submitted in
writing and approved in advance of participation. The Director of
Instruction may require that other criteria be met for approval.
4

CERTIFICATE LENGTH and RENEWAL PROCEDURE
An “A” Certificate (Bachelor’s) may be renewed for one five (5) year period beyond the
present expiration date of the certificate. Hours must be utilized for renewal within 5
years of completion for “A” Certificate holders.
An “AA” (Master’s) and “AAA” (Specialist) certificate may be renewed for one ten (10)
year period beyond the present expiration date of the certificate. Hours must be
utilized for renewal within 10 years of completion for “AA” and “AAA” certificate
holders.
All certificates will be renewed upon successful completion of meeting the requirements
for certificate renewal of any certificate held.
Teacher requesting recertification should use the appropriate RC2 (recertification) form
provided by the school. Recertification request should be made only after the
appropriate hours have been completed.
All documents must be included with the RC2 form.
Upon request, lifetime certificates shall be issued to all NPSA personnel who hold a valid
NPSA certificate and have reached the age of 55. Teachers with documented teaching
experience of 25 years or greater are also eligible for Life Time Certificates.
Community “Pure Degree” professionals (M.D., Pharmacist, Engineer, Veterinarian,
Etc.) who are certified and are utilized for no more than 2 periods of instruction by a
NPSA member school, may have their certificate extended at one year intervals at the
request of the school administration and Board provided that certified personnel are
not available in the needed teaching area.
A fifty dollar ($50) administrative fee will be assessed all NPSA certificate holders who
pursue NPSA re-certification credit through any entity other than a college/university,
or a NPSA sponsored summer course.
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Section III
Policies and Certification Levels
Issuance of Certificates
Although transcripts and credentials are reviewed to determine certification status for
anyone who makes such a request, only those candidates who are actually employed
by NPSA accredited schools are issued NPSA teacher certificates. All others will
receive a verbal or written evaluation of their transcripts and credentials.
Teacher certificates are printed and mailed to the school of employment.
Member schools are strongly encouraged to keep a copy of the certificate and give
the original to the employee.
Any individual presently holding a NPSA Teacher’s Certificate that is convicted, or is
found to have been convicted, of a felony shall have his/her NPSA Teacher’s
Certificate revoked.
If credentials are submitted for evaluation that have been awarded by institutions of
higher learning that are not located in the United States, those credentials should be
pre-screened and evaluated by a second party to determine the U.S. institution
equivalent prior to submission to the NPSA Director of Instruction.
For certification purposes, a school year is defined as July 1 through June 30. All
certificates expire on June 30 of year of expiration.
An individual may request a duplicate copy of their certificate by submitting a written
request and a five ($5) money order payable to the National Private School
Association.
LEVELS OF CERTIFICATION
Class A – Hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from a college accredited by regional
or comparable regional agency in the area in which certification is sought or have
completed requirements under Pure Degree or Alternate Route certification.
Class AA – Hold or qualify to hold a Class A Certificate. Hold a Master’s Degree in
Education from a college accredited by regional or a comparable regional agency in
the area in which certification is sought, or a Master’s Degree which qualifies for
Pure Degree or Alternate Route Certification.
Class AAA – Hold or qualify to hold a Class A Certificate. Must have completed thirty
(30) semester hours of graduate credit above a Master’s Degree or hold an Education
Specialist Degree in the area in which certification is being sought. College hours
must be earned at an institution accredited by regional or a comparable regional
agency.
Class AAA – Hold or qualify to hold a Class A Certificate. Hold a doctoral or terminal
degree in the area in which certification is being sought or hold hours within the
doctoral or terminal degree structure which qualifies the candidate under Pure
Degree or Alternate Route endorsement.
6

Section IV
Endorsement Areas
Teacher candidates seeking endorsement who hold certification or a degree in an area different from
the desired endorsement, and candidates who hold a degree in a non-endorsable area, must have their
transcript reviewed by the NPSA Director of Instruction to determine if requirements for certification
area are met.
DRIVERS EDUCATION
FOR NON-BSED DEGREE
Requirements:
1. Must hold a current valid secondary certificate in any endorsable area.
2. Must complete 12 hours in Driver Education Training.
3. Must take and successfully pass the PPST (Pre-Professional Skills Test)
4. Must take and successfully complete a three hour professional education course to
be approved by the NPSA Director of Instruction.
FOREIGN LANGUAGES
Requirements:
1. Must have earned 24 hours of the specified language.
2. Must have earned 18 hours provided that 2 high school credits were earned in the
specified language.
3. Must show oral proficiency.
4. Must have 6 hours of language electives or must hold native language status.
GUIDANCE COUNSELOR
Requirements:
1. Hold a Class A Teachers Certificate.
2. Hold a Master’s Degree which includes 21 hours of the following courses:
Professional orientation for Counseling
Individual Analysis (includes group testing)
Career Development and Information Services
Counseling Processes
Group Techniques
Methods and Techniques of Consultation
Supervised Practice in Counseling or Internship in Counseling
Educational Research
Curriculum Methods
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LIBRARY & INFORMATION SCIENCE
Requirements:
1. Must hold a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree or additional hours which include the
following courses:
Introduction to Reference Resources and Services
Cataloging and Classifications
School Library Media Centers
Development of Multimedia Collections
Utilization of Media and Equipment
Literature and Related Material for Children
Literature and Related Material for Adolescents
Instructional Styles and Models in Media Programs
12 hours of Electives which must be taken in Library or Technology
Alternate Route
Requirements:
1. Must hold a valid, current NPSA certificate or hold a degree in an endorsable area.
2. Must successfully complete 12 hours in Library/Media Science and earn qualifying
scores on the appropriate subject area test (Praxis II) or earn 18 hours of course
work in Library/Media Science.

JUNIOR HIGH ENDORSEMENTS
INTERDISCIPLINARY
Requirements:
1. A Teacher who qualifies for a fully endorsable area, and who meets the
requirements listed below, may gain additional endorsements in junior high.
Teacher candidates who hold a degree in un-endorsable areas are also eligible for
endorsement under the following junior high requirements. (Includes grades 5-8 if
in a departmental structure, but does not include grade 9).
Junior High English – 18+ hours in English. Three (3) hours in a foreign language may be
applied toward this endorsement area.
Junior High Math – 18+ hours in Math (teaching Algebra I requires 12 hours of college
math to include 3 hours of calculus and 9 hours of electives, college algebra or above).
Junior High Science – 18+ hours in Science to include one lab based biological science and
one course in the physical science area.
Junior High Social Studies – 18+ hours in Social Studies to include a minimum of 12 hours
of history.
8
COMPUTER
Requirements:
1. Must Hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or a Bachelor’s Degree with 24
hours, which include the following:
6 hours in Computer Programming
6 hours in Computer Application
12 hours in computer electives
2. Computer certification for a candidate who holds or qualifies for a valid NPSA
certificate in another area must hold 18 hours in computer which include the
following:
6 hours in Computer Programming
6 hours in Computer Application
6 hours in computer electives
SCIENCE
Requirements:
1. All Science endorsements require a minimum of 32 hours of combined sciences.
General Science requires 32 hours of combined sciences which must include the
Following courses:
3 hours in Earth Space Science 3 hours in Chemistry
3 hours in Physical Science 3 hours in Biological Science
Specialized Science Areas
Biology requires 32 hours of combined sciences, of which 16 hours must be in biological science and
must include Botany and Zoology.
Chemistry requires 32 hours of combined sciences, of which 16 hours must be in Chemistry.
Earth/Space Science requires 32 hours of combined sciences, of which 16 hours must be in
Geology, Meteorology, or Astronomy.
Physics requires 32 hours of combined sciences, of which 16 hours must be in Physics.
ADMINISTRATION
Requirements:
1. Candidates must hold a Class A Teachers Certificate, two years of teaching experience
in some or all grades K – 12, and hold a Master’s Degree which includes 24 hours of
the following coursework:
3 hours in Educational Leadership
3 hours in Curriculum Methods
3 hours in Basic School Administration
3 hours in Supervision of Instruction
12 hours in administrative/supervision electives
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Appendix A: Certification Codes
CLASS CODE ENDORSEMENT CODE
AAAA 1
Intensive Bus. Trng. 54
AAA 2
Journalism 55
AA 3
Mathematics (7-12) 22
A 4
Occup. Child Care Dev. 89
Special 5
Occup. Home Economics 90
Provisional 6
Psychology 56
Science
Biology 24
TYPE CODE
Chemistry 25
Gen. Science 27
Administrator 1
Physics 28
Supervisor 2
Earth Science 63
Secondary Teacher 3
Social Studies ( 7-12 ) 29
Elementary Teacher 4
Sociology 23
Special Subject Teacher 5
Government 26
Geography 52
ENDORSEMENT CODE
Speech Communication 30
Trade 31
ELEMENTARY
Vocational Counselor 53
1 – 8 01 Voc. Off Trng of D.O. 61
Nursery Kindergarten 97
Voc. Prep. Handicapped 64
K – 3 98
4 – 8 99
JUNIOR HIGH ( 7-8 )
English 85
SECONDARY ( 7-12 )
Mathematics 86
Adult Education 60
Science 87
Agriculture 03
Social Studies 88
Bible 58
Business Education 04
SPECIAL SUBJECT ( K-12 )
Accounting 05
Art 32
Sec. Procedures 06
Computer Science 11
Shorthand 07
Exceptional Children
Soc. Bus. Subj. 08
Audiologist 77
Typewriting 09
Educ. Handicapped 84
Coop. Home Economics 57
Emot. Handicapped 73
Coop. Voc. Agriculture 59
Gifted 65
Coor. Dist. Educ. or D.O. 10 Resource 66
Driver Education 12
Hearing Impaired 33
English ( 7-12 ) 13
Learn. Disabilities 74
Foreign Language Mentally Retarded 34
French 14
Physical Handicapped 36
German 15
Speech Correction 37
Latin 16
Speech-Lang. Clinic 49
Russian 17
Visually Impaired 35
Spansih 18
Guidance Counselor 38
Chinese 67
Health & P.E. 39
Italian 68
Librarian 40
Home Economics 19
Elem. Librarian 70
Home Econ. ( NonVoc ) 20
Media Librarian 71
Industrial Arts 21
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Appendix A:
(Continued)
ENDORSEMENT CODE
Music Applied 41
Music Instrumental 42
Music Education 43
Psychometrist 51
Remedial Reading 50
School Psychologist 48
ADMINISTRATION
Administrator 62
Asst. Administrator 92
Elementary Administrator 44
Asst. Elementary Administrator 93
Secondary Administrator 45
Asst. Secondary Administrator 94
Vocational Director 82
Curriculum/Instruction 80
SUPERVISOR
Elementary Supervisor 95
Secondary Supervisor 96
Special Sub. Supervisor 46
UNENDORSED 47
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APPENDIX B:
PRAXIS EXAMINATION (NTE) SCORES
Candidates for initial teacher licensure shall have Praxis Examination scores
according to the schedule below. Candidates shall be expected to have a minimum
score for Principles of Learning and Teaching and the appropriate area
examination score. Praxis test numbers in bold print.
AREA EXAMINATION/TEST CODE SCALED SCORES
Administration/Supervision (SLLA) 154
Art Education (0133) 139
Audiology (0340) 610
Biology (0235) 150
Business Educations (0100) 560
Chemistry (0245) 151
Early Childhood Education (Child Development Pre-K and K only) (0020) 550
Elementary Education (K-8 and K-4) (0016) 135
Elementary Education (4-8) (0014) Alternate Route Only 153
Emotionally Disturbed (0370) 610
English Language and Literature (0041) 157
French (0171) 161
German (0182) 160
Guidance and Counseling (0420) 580
Home Economics (0120) 560
Technology Education (0050) 560
Marketing (0560) 590
Mathematics (0061) 123
Media Specialist (0310) 590
Music Education (0113) 139
Physical Education (0091) 150
Physics (0265) 139
School Leaders Licensure Assessment ( This test is required after July 1, 1997) 154
School Psychologist (0400) 590
Social Studies (0081) 143
Spanish (0192) 155
Special Education (0350) 550
Speech Communication (0220) 510
Speech Pathology (0330) 600
CORE BATTERY
Communication Skills 651
General Knowledge 646
Professional Knowledge 649
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Appendix C:
Praxis I & Praxis II PLT Scores
PRAXIS I REQUIREMENTS FOR TEACHER LICENSURE
PRE-PROFESSIONAL SKILLS TEST (PPST) PASSING SCORE
Reading (0170) 170
Writing (0720) 172
Mathematics (0730) 169
COMPUTER BASED ASSESSMENT (CBT) PASSING SCORE
Reading (0711) 316
Writing (0721) 318
Mathematics (0731) 314
PRAXIS II PRINCIPLES OF LEARNING AND TEACHING (PLT)
PASSING SCORE
Grade Level K – 6 (0522) 152
Grade Level 5 – 9 (0523) 152
Grade Level 7 – 12 (0524) 152
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