Certification Overview
The purpose of ACSI Certification is to strengthen Christian schools by credentialing educators who meet established professional and biblical requirements. ACSI Certification promotes continued professional learning and increased effectiveness. Establishing and maintaining the certification of staff and administration is an essential step toward professional credibility and growth. Education is a process. Just as we encourage our students to grow and become life–long learners, we want to set the same example as their teachers and leaders.
ACSI certification establishes a framework for professional growth to occur over time, just like continuous school improvement.
- Certification Documents and Requirements
(find CPoE, certification charts, and the application here) - Contact the Certification Department
- Contact the CEU Coordinator with Questions regarding the CEU Provider Program
Commonly Asked Questions - Initial Certification
(You have not been previously certified by ACSI)Submit the following:
- Application - mark the area(s) of certification that you are applying for
- Application fee of $75 per area of certification requested
- Current First Aid/CPR card
- Official transcripts* from your college verifying your degree from an accredited** college/university. A minimum of an associate degree is required for an EE teacher and a minimum of a bachelor's degree is required for an EE Director.
(Early Education certification with ACSI is not a requirement for accreditation)
Submit the following:
Application - mark the area(s) of certification that you are applying for
- Application fee of $75 per area of certification requested
- Official transcripts* from your college verifying at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited** college/university OR a current, valid state teaching certificate (temporary, emergency, non-tax, or substitute teacher certificates will not fulfill this requirement).
* If you are using the online application you may open your official transcripts and scan and upload them to the application.
** Accreditation must be granted by a CHEA or US Department of Education recognized agency.
Commonly Asked Questions - Renewal Certification
(You are holding or have previously held a certification with ACSI)If your certificate has been expired for less than 3 years you will need to submit the following:
- Application* - mark the area(s) of certification that you are renewing
- Application fee of $75 per area of certification renewing
- Current First Aid/CPR Card
- Verification of your renewal requirements as listed on the bottom portion of your certificate. If you do not have a copy of your requirements, please contact certification@acsi.org.
If your certificate has been expired for less than 3 years you will need to submit the following:
- Application* - mark the area(s) of certification that you are renewing
- Application fee of $75 per area of certification renewing
- Verification of your renewal requirements as listed on the bottom portion of your certificate. If you do not have a copy of your requirements contact certification@acsi.org.
If your certificate has been expired for more than 3 years you may choose one of the following options:
- You may start over as an initial applicant. You may lose credit for any additional documents that are in your expired file, such as CEUs or a completed philosophy checklist, unless you are able to produce copies.
- You may renew your certificate and it will require the additional 3 Year Expiration Fee which is $25. You will need to submit the application, fees (application fee and 3 Year Expiration Fee), and verification of your renewal requirements as listed on the bottom portion of your certificate. If you do not have a copy of your requirements, contact certification@acsi.org.
If you hold a Temporary level certificate:
A teacher may change areas of certification once without completing any semester hours in education (from Elementary teacher to Secondary teacher, or from teacher to administrator). Administrators may change from an administrator certification to a teacher certification once without completing any semester hours in education. Administrators may not change from one area of administration to another area of administration without completing the required hours in education to renew. Individuals will be required to submit the application, fee, any Bible CEUs, and their completed Christian Philosophy of Education checklist if these were listed as requirements for renewal.
If you hold a Standard or Professional level certificate:
If a teacher/administrator holding a Standard or Professional Level certificate desires to switch to a new certification area, and the new certificate would be issued as a Temporary certificate, that teacher/administrator can simply switch with the application and fee.
If a teacher/administrator holding a Standard or Professional Level certificate desires to switch to a new certification area, and the new certificate would be issued as another Standard or Professional, the teacher/administrator can have the new certificate issued with the same days as their current certificate by simply submitting the application and fee. If they would like a new 5-year term on their new certificate, the applicant will need to complete the renewal requirements listed on their current certificate.
Please note: Even if an applicant currently holds the Standard, Professional, or Lifetime certificate in a given area, they will be subject to the requirements of the new certification area if the applicant decides to switch. This may result in the issuance of a certificate at a lower level (Temporary, Standard, etc.) than the applicant currently holds.
Please contact certification@acsi.org with any questions.
Mailing address:
ACSI Attn: Certification
PO Box 62249
Colorado Springs, CO 80962
(This requires a separate login from the your.acsi.org login and will open in a new browser window. Contact certification@acsi.org for assistance.)
Individuals—use Certification Review to access, view, and print your ACSI certificate and review your certification renewal/upgrade requirements online.
Administrators—use Certification Review access, view, and print your own ACSI certificate/requirements as well as a report of certification status and renewal requirements for your school's teachers