Certification Process
As of September 1, 2018, ACSI will requires official transcripts for all initial applicants and any newly submitted coursework for individuals renewing.
ACSI Certificates are now issued digitally! Applicants will receive an e-mail once their certificate is issued with information concerning how to login and access the digital copy of the certificate.
Initial Certification
You have not been previously certified by ACSI
Q: How do I apply for an Early Education (Birth–PreK) Teacher or Director certification?
- Please note: Early Education certification with ACSI is not a requirement for accreditation
A: 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
Q: How do I apply for a K–12 Teacher or Administrator certification?
A: 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 certificate (temporary, emergency, non-tax, or substitute teacher certificates would not fulfill this requirement). Initial applicants may find the following document helpful: Documents for Initial Certification.
* 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.
Renewal Certification
You are holding or have previously held a certification with ACSI
Q: How do I renew my Early Education (Birth–PreK) Teacher or Director certification?
A: 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.
Q: How do I renew my K–12 Teacher or Administrator certification?
A: 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 you are using the online application all of your documents may be uploaded to the application. If you have CEUs on your VPP (Virtual Professional Portfolio) in ACSI PD you do not have to print these out. Please make note of the CEUs on your application.
Q: My certificate has been expired for more than 3 years, can I still renew?
A: 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.
Q: I have an ACSI certificate but need to change areas, what do I do
A: A teacher holding a temporary certificate 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.
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.