• Alternative Routes to Certification (ARTC)

  • Alternative Licensure & Certification Options

    Delaware currently has five alternative licensure and certification options:

    1. The Alternative Routes to Certification Program supports Delaware public and charter schools in certain secondary subject areas and K-12 Music and Art where there is a shortage of certified teachers (critical needs areas). Schools may hire individuals to teach a subject in which they already have an appropriate academic degree and then enroll them in ARTC to complete certification requirements (such as Student Teaching) while they are teaching.
    2. The Masters Plus Certification Program in Special Education is designed for individuals with non-education college degrees who are currently employed as paraeducators in a Delaware school who want to complete special education certification. The Masters program is currently only completed at the University of Delaware.
    3. The Teach For America Program (TFA) recruits recent college graduates of all majors and career interests and working professionals to commit two years to teach in low-income urban and rural public schools. TFA invests in training and professional development to ensure teachers' success in high-poverty communities. Corps members are placed in Delaware, and the program is completed through Relay Graduate School of Education.
    4. Relay/GSE offers a Master of Arts in Teaching in a variety of subjects including K-5, 6-8, 9-12 ELA, Math, Science and Social Studies. New teachers eligible for state certification may receive alternate route certification upon completion of year one of the M.A.T. program.
    5. Ninety-one Days in Lieu of Student Teaching is an option for individuals to use one year of substitute teaching experience in one assignment from a Delaware public or charter school as an alternative to completing a formal student teaching program.  Effective July 1, 2014, this is not a licensure option for individuals teaching elementary, English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, or special education.  Also, be aware there are no guarantees for licensure or certification using this route. If acceptable documentation is submitted from the Delaware district or charter school, and if the individual is hired within one year of the substitute teaching experience, an Emergency Certificate may be issued upon request by the hiring district or charter school.


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  • ARTC Documentation Requirements

    The following items must be sent:

    • Official Transcript(s).
      • Send official (unopened) transcripts for all degrees and coursework directly to Delaware Department of Education.
      • DOE can only accept transcripts from regionally accredited colleges or universities as detailed in Higher Education.
    • Test scores should be forwarded to the Delaware Department of Education electronically upon your request.
    • Letter of completion from the Delaware Alternate Routes Program.
    • Official transcript verifying successful completion of all Delaware Alternative Routes course requirements.
    • An original letter from the educator's district or charter school attesting to satisfactory teaching performance and recommendation for certification, and signed by the Personnel Director and Superintendent of your district or charter school.

    All documents, with the exception of copies of out-of-state and national certificates (if applicable), must be official, meaning that they must be sent directly from the appropriate third party (e.g., the college or university, testing organization, former employer, independent credentialing agency) to the Department, or forwarded unopened to the Department by the candidate.  Applicants submitting test scores should be sure to review the Delaware Test Requirements for test-specific submission procedures.


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  • Non-refundable Fee for First Delaware License

    Beginning January 15, 2016, a one-time non-refundable fee of $100 will be charged to educators applying for their first license in Delaware (Initial, Continuing, or Advanced). The applicant must also meet certification requirements prior to a license being issued. The fee will be retained by the State of Delaware whether or not the transaction results in the issuance of a license and certificate.  Refer to 14 Del.C. §122 (27) for details regarding the rules and regulations.

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  • ARTC Application Process Steps

    1. Create an account in DEEDS via the DEEDS registration page.
    2. Apply for the appropriate License and Certificate(s) for the content area you want to teach.
    3. Request to send all official documentation:
      • All official transcripts.
      • Test Scores, if applicable.
      • Scores on Performance Assessments (ETS, Pearson, ACTFL), if completed.
        • If you are applying with credentials from out of state or out of country, there may be additional requirements.
        • To ensure speedy processing, please ensure that you follow the documentation guidelines for submission.
    4. Notify your Human Resource office when application is completed in DEEDS.
    5. DDOE Staff will review application and documentation.
    6. DDOE staff updates your application status in DEEDS.  You will receive a notification email with instructions and requirements.


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  • Delaware Department of Education
    Licensure & Certification
    Collette Education Resource Center
    35 Commerce Way, Suite 1
    Dover, DE 19904

    Feel free to contact us:
    M-F 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
    302-857-3388
    deeds@doe.k12.de.us

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Last Modified on October 18, 2018