Merry Gunnett
All prices, renwal requirements, etc. are subject to change. Please see the certification area for the most up-to-date information.
The purpose of renewal requirements is to assure that educators continue to complete formal professional and spiritual growth activities. Our desire is not to make educators lives more complicated, but to see that we hold them and us accountable to higher standards. Standards that not only make us better teachers, but are honoring to the Lord.
Education is a continual process, just as we encourage our students to continue to grow and learn—we are to set that same example.
If you have been issued an ACSI certificate and need to renew it, the following should help clarify the process.
Each ACSI certificate is mailed with a “Credit Evaluation and Recommendation” form. This form lists the renewal and/or upgrade requirements, which must be completed before another ACSI certificate can be issued.
General Renewal Requirements:
All renewals/upgrades require an application and the fee as requested on the application. Instead of sending items piecemeal, please send only completed packets of renewal/upgrade materials.
Interim:
No renewal is possible. The applicant must do all work on his/her individual “Credit Evaluation and Recommendation” form to move to the temporary (Basic) or standard certificate.
Temporary (Basic):
Temporary renewal requirements vary from person to person. Therefore, it is necessary for each person to refer to the “Credit Evaluation and Recommendation” form issued with the certificate. Common renewal requirements would be as follows:
- If deficient in educational studies: 3 semester hours from an accredited college/university at the appropriate grade level. (CEUs in educational studies are not accepted until you have reached the standard certificate.)
- If deficient in biblical studies: 1 semester hour or 3 CEUs in biblical studies.
- If not previously completed, the ACSI philosophy of Christian school education requirement must be fulfilled upon first renewal.
If the credit evaluation form has been lost, it can be replaced by sending a letter and $5 fee to the certification office. Be sure to include your name and social security or your ACSI registration number.
Standard/Professional: Renewal requirements must be completed after the issue date of certificate to be renewed/upgraded.
- Two semester hours or 5 CEUs (or combination) in biblical studies (unless you have a Bible waiver as explained below)
—AND—
- Two-semester hours or 5 CEUs (or combination) in educational studies.
If an applicant chooses to complete credit hours from a college/university, the college/university must be accredited.
If you are unable to find the necessary course work at a local college or university, or if your schedule keeps you from attending courses, you may wish to look at our website for a list of correspondence institutions.
For a brief list of ministries that are ACSI-approved CEU providers, check out our international CEU providers also on our website.
It is possible to receive a lifetime waiver of the requirements in biblical studies if you have completed a minimum of 30 semester hours in biblical studies from an accredited/ACSI-accepted evangelical Christian college.
For a list of accredited colleges/universities, refer to the book Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education (Washington, DC: American Council on Education), which may be available in your local library.
Application Fees Reminder
Please remember that as of July 1, 2001 the certification application fee has changed. The teacher and administrator application fee (Interim through Professional) will be $45.00, US funds and $55.00, Canadian. When an individual has met all of his/her requirements for a Lifetime certificate the fee is $55.00. A $10.00 non-refundable processing fee will be assessed from these totals. As a result of the higher fee, we will be able to provide you with better service, most importantly lower turnaround times!
Why Does ACSI Require Renewal Requirements? 5.2