Teacher Certification
The Office of Teacher Certification ensures that educators are properly credentialed and provides technical assistance to school districts, teachers, and college administrators regarding certification.
To check the status of your application, log into your OECS account via Single SignOn. There will be a notice informing you of what date we are currently processing. Then click on the option to view your credentials to see when your application was received.
IMPORTANT ANNOUCEMENT- Change in Walk-In policy
Beginning Monday, July 22nd: In an effort to deliver top-notch customer service, ALL visitors to the Teacher Certification Section must have a scheduled appointment.
- Those needing a fingerprint appointment, click here: HERE
- ***Appointments to speak with a certification specialist will only be accepted if the matter cannot be resolved via email or phone. This allows us to better serve you when processing certificate requests. To determine if your situation qualifies for an appointment, this form must be electronically submitted Certification Specialist Appointment Request
NOTICE: Praxis subject area exams are accepted in Oklahoma.
Click here to find the list of approved exams for Oklahoma certification. The corresponding Oklahoma certification area/s will be noted on the left-hand side.
What this means:
Hard copies of teaching certificates and most advisement letters will not automatically be mailed to people’s homes or school districts. Applicants will be able to view their digital certificates on a link via their dashboard (see the screenshot below) on the Oklahoma Educator Credentialing System (OECS). There will be no increase in the processing fee. You can view your advisement letters on the tab marked “letters” on the left side of your credential screen to see what additional requirements you may have to advance or renew your certificate. You will still be able to purchase a duplicate hard copy for an additional $25 online, as is the current process. However, Oklahoma schools districts will not need a hard copy for their records. They only need to reference the Single Sign-On system.
Additionally, all certification types will now be listed on the same digital certificate. For example, if you have a standard certificate but also have a provisional certificate via the career path for paraprofessionals, they will all be listed on one digital certificate. The different certificate types and expiration date of each certification area will be listed as well. So, be careful to not let individual areas lapse.
NOTE: Our phone line at (405) 521-3337 offers an automatic call-back feature. However, in order for that feature to work effectively, you must call from a phone that will dial you directly.
Why teach?
Here are some reasons why teachers say they choose this noblest of professions:
- Make a difference in the life of a child
- Ability to give endless possibilities for success
- Reap daily rewards of joy
- Opportunities to lead
- Build stronger communities
- Share a passion for learning
Take it from one of Oklahoma's best teachers:
"Teaching is one of the most challenging careers, yet it is one of the most important professions. Being a teacher is about making positive, lasting impressions and indelible marks. Creating the foundation for my students that will build the rest of their lives upon is an honor. Without teachers, there would be no other profession."
- Mara Richards
Durant Middle School
2014 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year finalist
Announcements
| Date | Announcement |
|---|---|
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July 1, 2023 |
As of August 1, 2023, walk-ins will not be accepted after 4:00pm. You may drop off correspondence at the front desk but no visitors will be allowed to go to the Teacher Certification offices. |
Recorded Trainings
New SPED Microcredential: https://youtu.be/tG5S4kwFWHM
New Alternative Early Childhood and Elementary (go live date 6/17/22): https://youtu.be/8aWCh9fuwG8
New Online Adjunct Application process (go live 7/27/22): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPTlhFC8kp0
Updated Online Emergency Application process (go live 8/15/22): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hUlINwtR24
Teacher Certification Quick Links
Learn how to
Learn how to
Learn how to receive a
Learn how to add a
Oklahoma Educator
Continue to serve with
Download Certification
Learn how to utilize
Background Checks & Fingerprinting
The Office of Teacher Certification is open during regular business hours Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:00 p.m. If you are arriving late in the day, please arrive by 3:45 p.m.
OSDE conducts live-scan fingerprinting Monday-Friday during regular business hours by appointment only. Appointments will be available in 10 minute increments Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-4:10 p.m.
Note: If printing for dual or employment, you MUST bring your National Criminal History Record Check form with you to SDE at the time if printing as we will not be providing this form to you. If you do not bring this form, you will need to contact your district to have one sent over.
Making an Appointment
All applicants must now pre-register on the IndentoGO website prior to being fingerprinted regardless if the printing is done at the Oklahoma State Dept. of Education or a satellite site. No unscheduled walk-ins will be allowed.
When registering on IndentoGO, applicants will be prompted to enter a service code on the Service Code Entry screen. Find the correct service code for your needs below.
| Role | Service Code |
|---|---|
| Teacher Certification | 2B7KS5 |
| School District Employment | 2B7KRR |
| Dual Processing (only available at OSDE) | 2B7KTN |
Note: If you are scheduled under the incorrect service code, we will reschedule your appointment and try to fingerprint you the same day, if time allows.
After registering on IndentoGO, the site will provide a registration ID number. All applicants must provide this registration ID number in order to get fingerprinted.
Payment
Please note that cash payments are NOT accepted.
Effective September1, 2022 the $57.25 fee for the certification and employment background checks increased to $58.25. Please continue to make checks payable to Idemia.
Note: OSDE no longer processes physical fingerprint cards for the $58.25 payment option at our site for any purposes. All cards completed with the $58.25 payment option should be sent directly to IdentoGO by the applicant. Instructions on how to do so are provided on the IdentoGO website. OSDE still offers the $45 OSBI employment background check option. Please continue to send those to the OSDE.
Arriving Late
If you arrive late for your appointment, we will fingerprint you when the next 10 minute block becomes available. If there are no other openings before 3:30 p.m., you may come back BEFORE 3:50 p.m. or reschedule.
Dual Processing
Senate Bill 29 (effective July 1, 2017) alleviates the fingerprinting process for new school district employees that meet the following criteria...; "provided that a board of education shall not be required to obtain a new criminal history record check for an individual who has obtained certification from the State Department of Education within the previous twelve (12) months."
What this means:
A school district that hires a new employee who has been certified for the first time in Oklahoma within 12 months of their hire date does not have to conduct a new background check on the employee.
Furthermore, OSDE will no longer be allowed to disseminate the results of certification background checks to public school districts (commonly referred to as dual results) except for the following conditions; if the applicant wishes to be fingerprinted for both certification and employment, this must be made known at the time they are fingerprinted.
The applicant must provide a completed Application for National Criminal History Record Check along with their fingerprints. This process can only be completed by visiting OSDE in person or by mailing in fingerprint cards with the completed National Criminal History Record Check form from the district.
Questions?
Contact (405) 521-3337 and ask to be transferred to fingerprinting office.
Guidance
- Emergency Certification Guidance
- Regular Education Guidance
- Special Education Guidance
- Alternative Certification Guidance
Important News & Updates
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Paraprofessional Credentials in OECS Paraprofessional credentials have been added to OECS. District superintendents and human resources staff will now be able to recommend paraprofessional candidates for Tier 1 and Tier 2 Paraprofessional credentials. Districts can begin the recommendation process by clicking on the "Manage Your Paraprofessional Recommendations" within OECS. Once the educator is recommended, the educator will be able to apply online using their recommendation tile. |
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House Bill 3398 House Bill 3398 is in effect. This bill requires that any teacher who does not have a background check on file with OSDE to obtain one before qualifying to renew their certificate. It also mandates that any school district employee hired prior to July 1, 2020, who does not have a background check on file with OSDE must obtain one by June 30, 2022. School administrators and human resource staff now have a tab on their OECS dashboard that allows them to view all certified and support staff within their districts who do not have a background check on file with the OSDE. |
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Expired Certificates If a standard certificate has been expired for one year or more, the applicant must undergo a new criminal history record check. The applicant is responsible for any fees associated with the criminal history record check. |
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Senate Bill 711 Senate Bill 711 (effective July 1, 2015) requires that school districts communicate with the Oklahoma State Board of Education when a teacher is terminated or resigns due to allegations of sexual misconduct. View Senate Bill 711 guidance. |
Additional Resources
- Highly Qualified Teacher (HOUSSE) - Resources regarding the requirements for teachers who teach a core academic subject.
- National Board Certification (NBPTS) - Learn how to become NBPTS certified.
- Miscellaneous Certification Resources - View a variety of resources on how teachers and administrators can become or remain certified.
