Connecticut has a three-tiered certification continuum that recognizes the progression of a teacher’s professional career and issues three certificates: the initial educator, the provisional educator, and the professional educator.

TYPE OF CERT.	VALID FOR	REQUIREMENTS  FOR
Initial Educator	3 years, may be reissued 5 times (upon application)	* complete CT assessment requirements             AND ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: * graduate from an approved CT teacher  preparation program;      or * meet certification requirements through evaluation of a transcript and have 20 months successful teaching experience in the area for which certification is sought;     or * meet NASDTEC Interstate Contract  requirements;     or * graduate from an approved teacher preparation program in another state and meet certification requirements through transcript evaluation
Provisional Educator	8 years	* meets requirements for Initial Educator Certificate          AND ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: * has succesfully completed the BEST program (if available in endorsed area) and has 10 months successful teaching experience under the Initial Certificate;     or * has 30 months of successful teaching experience (within the past 10 years) at a public or approved non-public school out of the state of CT, in the area in which certification is sought
Professional Educator	5 years, and is continued upon completion of 9 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) - 90 hours of professional development experience - every 5 years	* 30 months of appropriate, successful  experience in CT teaching under a provisional certificate,      AND * accumulates additional credits required by certification regulations

 There are several avenues through which teachers may obtain information regarding certification:

            1.  Applicants may check on the status of their applications at any time through an interactive voice response (IVR) telephone service by calling (860) 713-6969.

            2.  State Department of Education staff members are available by telephone for general technical support between noon and 4 pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, at the telephone number listed above.

            3.  Applicants may put their specific questions in writing and mail or fax them to the Bureau of Certification and Professional Development.  The fax number is (860) 713-7017.  The address is: CT State Department of Education, Bureau of Educator Preparation, Certification, Support, & Assessment, PO Box 150471, Room 243, Hartford, CT  06115-0471.

            4.  Teachers can email the State Department certification bureau at teacher.cert@po.state.ct.us .

            5.  Teachers may call the Connecticut Education Association office for assistance at (860) 525-5641.