Certification based on teaching experience in a private or non-public school
If you have two years of full-time teaching experience in an approved non-public school and a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, you may be eligible to become a certified teacher.
To obtain Connecticut teacher certification based on approved non-public school teaching experience, educators must meet the following requirements:
- Document no fewer than 20 school months of successful, appropriate full-time teaching experience in the same approved non-public school in Connecticut OR an approved school in another state or country under a valid certificate.
- Pass subject-specific tests for endorsements where a test is required. See the Guide to Assessments for Educator Certification in Connecticut.
- Successfully complete all required general academic and professional education course work for the endorsement areas sought. All course work must result in credit shown on official transcripts from regionally accredited colleges or universities.
Certification in all areas except occupational subjects requires a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
All candidates applying for a Connecticut educator certificate requiring a bachelor’s degree must submit an official transcript verifying award of the degree, regardless of the basis of their certification.
Educator Preparation Programs
- Educators who have completed the equivalent of two school years of full-time teaching in the grade level and subject appropriate to the endorsement requested may waive the educator preparation program requirement. However, all course work, degree, testing, and classroom experience requirements must still be met.
- Educators who have not completed an educator preparation program and do not have the experience to waive the planned program requirement should seek academic advisement from regionally accredited colleges or universities with state-approved programs in the area they would like to teach. For a list of Connecticut institutions that offer approved educator preparation programs, please see the Guide to Approved Educator Preparation Programs in Connecticut.