North Dakota Initial Certification
Gain the credentials you need

Earn Your Initial Certification in North Dakota:

• North Dakota Initial Teaching Certification


The Initial North Dakota Teacher Certification is valid for 2-years and may be renewed once if the requirements for the 5-year professional license are not met.


• 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:
  
  
  Pass teacher competency examinations:
  • Earn passing scores on the Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST) for Reading, Writing and Mathematics.
  • Find more information regarding test locations and passing scores on the ETS Website.


• Step 3:
  
  
  You must have an accumulated Grade Point Average of 2.50 for all college and post-graduate coursework


• Step 4:
  
  
  You must provide 3 positive recommendations preferably from employers who can verify your ability to become a successful North Dakota Educator.


• Step 5:
  
  
  You will need to provide a $70 application fee that will be indicated on the instructions for your Initial North Dakota Application Packet. Download application packet here.


• Step 6:
  
  
  You will need to submit fingerprint cards to the North Dakota Education and Standards Board for screening.
  
  You will either need to request fingerprint cards from the North Dakota Education and Standards Board, or from a college official (where you are receiving your teacher education from).
  • You must have your fingerprinting completed by an authorized law enforcement agency.
  • You are also responsible for all fees associated with fingerprinting and fingerprint processing.


• Step 7:
  
  
  You will need to request an Initial application packet in writing. You will need to provide your name, address, social security number and a $30 initial application packet fee.
  
  The mailing address for application requests and the address where you will send your completed application packet is as follows:


Send materials to this address:
North Dakota Education and Standards Board
2718 Gateway Avenue
Suite 303
Bismarck, North Dakota 58503-0585


Or request more information by contacting a representative at the North Dakota Department of Education at (701) 328-9641.


• Step 8:
  Sit back and relax!

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

Request information from schools by clicking on the links or school logos below.