If you’re a school district/charter looking to fill an area of need with a candidate who doesn’t hold an appropriate certificate/endorsement, there are options available.
Reference the Application Crosswalk regarding when to use the types of alternate authorizations and review the alternate authorization provisional application submission schedule.
- Content Specialist
- New Certificate for Current Teacher
- New Endorsement for Current Teacher
- Emergency Provisional
- Secondary Public Charter School Educator
This alternative authorization allows a local education agency to request an instructional certificate for an individual who possesses distinct content knowledge and skills to teach in a content area.
- The candidate must include proof of content competency (e.g., a minimum of baccalaureate degree in endorsement-related area, passing PRAXIS score in endorsement area, or at least 100 points on the Uniform Standard for Evaluating Content Competency rubric) with their application.
- Additionally, candidates must demonstrate the route they will use to complete requirements to achieve their five-year renewable certificate at a later date.
Completed applications will be approved by IDCTE’s Director of Educator Certification. Atypical applications will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Commission (PSC) Authorizations Committee. Upon approval, the candidate will be issued a three-year, nonrenewable, Interim Certificate. During the three years, all applicable program and state specific requirements must be completed to qualify for a five-year CTE educator certificate.
This option is only available for candidates with a current Idaho certificate who don’t hold an endorsement for the needed area. The purpose of this alternative authorization is to allow Idaho school districts to request endorsement/certification when a professional position can’t be filled with someone with the correct endorsement/certification.
The district/charter and educator may only use Route Option I – College/University; this option requires the educator to complete an educator preparation program of study and obtain an Institutional Recommendation (IR). The district and educator will receive a three-year, non-renewable, Interim Certificate.
Once all requirements of the program of study have been completed and the IR has been issued, the educator applies for a revision of certificate to have the certificate and endorsement added to their renewable credential.
CTE Alternative Authorization – Teacher to New Application Packet (New/Renewal)
This certification option is only available for candidates with a current Idaho certificate who don’t hold the endorsement for the area of need. The purpose of this alternative authorization is to allow Idaho school districts to request endorsement/certification when a professional position cannot be filled with someone who has the correct endorsement/certification.
Teacher to New-Endorsement educators electing Route Option I – College/University will receive a one-year certificate that may be renewed for two additional years with evidence of satisfactory progress towards completion of state-approved preparation program. Otherwise, candidates will receive a one-year, nonrenewable certificate when using Route Option II – Master’s Degree or Route Option III – Content Competency/Mentoring.
Requirements during the authorization include the following.
Option I Candidates – College/University
- Complete an educator preparation program and obtain an Institutional Recommendation.
Option II Candidates – Master’s degree in the content area (one-year, nonrenewable certificate)
- Signed District/Charter and Mentor Recommendation for Alternative Authorization – Teacher to New Endorsement OPTION II and III Completers form confirming completion of a State Board-approved mentor program.
Option III Candidates – content area assessment plus mentoring (one-year, nonrenewable certificate)
- Pass the applicable Praxis II assessment(s) in the endorsement area; completed baccalaureate degree in the content area; or meet or exceed the required number of points using the Uniform Standard for Evaluating Content Competency.
- Complete a one-year, state board-approved mentoring program. Signed District/Charter and Mentor Recommendation for Alternative Authorization-Teacher to New Endorsement Option II and III Completers form confirming completion of a State Board Approved Mentor Program.
Once requirements are completed, the candidate applies for a revision of certificate.
CTE Alternative Authorization – Teacher to New Application Packet (New/Renewal)
The State Board of Education (SBOE) will review complete Emergency Provisional applications. The Emergency Provisional allows a school district or charter school to request a one-year certification/endorsement in an emergency situation for a candidate who does not hold the required Idaho certificate/endorsement to fill a position. The candidate must have completed 48 credits or hold an associate degree.
The applications for Emergency Provisionals are required to be submitted to the Department of Education at least six weeks before the State Board of Education meeting. Incomplete applications will not be placed on the State Board of Education agenda for consideration.
This application is for a public charter school board of directors to hire a public charter school-specific CTE teacher to serve as a charter school CTE teacher under the provisions of Idaho Code §33-5206(6).
Public Charter School-Specific CTE Teacher Certificate Application Packet
Have a candidate without an appropriate certificate or endorsement? Discover your options!
Need More Information?

Kristi Enger
Director
208.429.5528

Nathan Hobbs
Technical Records Specialist II
208.429.5513