Nebraska Initial Teaching Certification

Steps to becoming a teacher in Nebraska:

• Route 1: Nebraska Initial Teaching Certification


The Initial Nebraska Teaching Certification is valid for a period of 5 years. The following steps are subject to change and meant only as a helpful guide. You should verify whether you have everything in order with the Teacher Certification Office by calling (402) 471-0739.


• Step 1:
  You must have completed a teacher preparation program from an accredited institution. Teacher Preparation Programs.


• University of Phoenix
• Walden University
• Capella University
• Ashford University


• Step 2:
  The following are requirements that must be filled prior to submitting your application.
  • In the Nebraska Certification Manual, you will find an Institutional Verification Form. This form will need to be completed and signed by the certification officer from the institution where you received your teacher education.
  • If you have not been a resident of Nebraska for the last 5 years, you will need to complete two fingerprint cards that will be sent to you from the Nebraska Department of Education. The fingerprint cards will need to be sent along with the application and an extra $40 fee back to the Nebraska Department of Education.
  • You will need to verify completion of Basic Skills Competency. This can be done through the Educational Testing Series, the Praxis Series I - PPST (pre-professional skills test). www.ets.org/praxis.
  • You must satisfy the Special Education Requirements. If you're teacher education is not in the field of special education, you will need to take at least one course at an approved teacher education institution that addresses the exceptional child in the classroom.
  • You will need to prove recency. Your Institutional Verification Form should show that you have completed your teacher education program within the last 5 years.


• Step 3:
  The following are the materials you will need to submit to the Nebraska Department of Education to begin the processing of your application.
  • Download the Nebraska Certification Manual.
  • Complete the application form for the Initial Teacher Certification.
  • Follow and complete application checklist to make sure you have everything in order.
  • Attach all fees (if you need to attach fingerprint cards, this is an additional $40). Make checks or money orders payable to the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE).
  • Forward official transcripts from your teacher education institution and all other institutions of higher education that you have attended.
  • Have the Institutional Verification Form completed and attached.
  • Have an official score report from your Basic Skill Competency Tests sent to the Nebraska Department of Education.


Send materials to this address:
Teacher Certification
Nebraska Department of Education
P.O. Box 94987
Lincoln, Nebraska 68509
Or call for more information at (402) 471-0739


• Step 4:
  Sit Back and Relax!

• Route 2: Nebraska Alternative Teacher Certification


Presently, Nebraska does not offer an alternative certification that allows one to enter the classroom as a teacher prior to any teacher education training.



1-Year Provisional Certification:
• Step 1
This certification allows for the applicant to enter the classroom only after at least 50% of a teacher education program has been completed.
• You must have 50% of a teacher education program completed.
• Download the Nebraska Certification Manual
• You must be employed by the Nebraska School System.
• The Agreement Statement must be completed from within the Nebraska Certification Manual.
• An Institutional Verification Form must be completed by the certification officer from the institution where you are receiving your teacher education.
• The courses required to complete the teacher education program must also be submitted by the certification officer.
• Follow the checklist provided in the manual to complete the remainder of the application.


Send to this address:
Teacher Certification
Nebraska Department of Education
P.O. Box 94987
Lincoln, Nebraska 68509
Or call for more information at (402) 471-0739


• Step 2:
  Sit Back and Relax!




Back to Nebraska Teacher Certification/Credentialing
Or, Steps to become a teacher in Nebraska

Learn about the requirements of another state by clicking on one of the state certification links to your left.

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