• Traditional Path

• Alternative Placement Program (not for early childhood, elementary, or Special Education)

• Traditional Path

• Alternative Placement Program (for early childhood or elementary)

• Career Development Program for Paraprofessionals

• Traditional Path

• Career Development Program - for Paraprofessionals (Para to Teacher)

• Non-traditional Route to Special Education Certification (Boot Camp)

• Alternative Placement Program - must be completed in a core area then test to gain a special education certificate.

• Earn Master's Degree in Special Education

• Special Education Micro-credential Pathway (adding Severe-Profound Multiple Disabilities to a Mild-Moderate Disabilities certificate)

• OSAT Registration  

• SPED OSAT Resources 

• OEA Test Prep Sessions     

• NSU Test Prep Sessions    

• OSDE Certification Test Info 

• Praxis Registration  

• OSDE Certification Test Info 

• Sample PPAT YPS Timeline 

• Meets all other requirements as established by the Oklahoma State Board of Education;

• Successfully passed the two required competency examinations

• Renewal is required every 5 years

• Must hold a bachelor's degree;

• Only valid for 1 school year

• Must attempt either certification testing or OSDE-required college coursework to be eligible for renewal

• Temporary placeholder until full Standard Certificate is attainable.

• Initial request is to be made by school district of employment

• Emergency Certifications are only valid for district in which the request was made. OSDE has made strict rules on transferring to another district and how many years an employee is eligible for an extension.

• Valid 1-3 years (OSDE Determination)

• Employee must complete requirements set by OSDE to be eligible for Standard Certificate before expiration date. Requirements will be issued via letter from OSDE. Letter can be found in the OSDE Single Sign-on.

• Only valid for 1 school year

• Not a valid option for Special Education, Early Childhood, or Kindergarten

• Certified employee adjuncting to teach outside of their area of certification

• Person who does not hold a valid certification and serving as an adjunct teacher

• Must be board-approved

• Valid for a lifetime

• 2 Tiers: 

  1. Tier 1 for non-special education paraprofessionals or classroom aides and bilingual assistants

  2. Tier 2 for special education paraprofessionals or paraeducators

• High school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) diploma

• Must hold an associate's degree or 48+ credit college hours, or pass the Praxis ParaProfessional/ WorkKeys Assessment Test

TIER 2 Additional requirements:

• Complete Paraprofessional Training

• Complete and maintain CPR and First Aid

• Complete and maintain Bloodborne Pathogens Training