Probationary Teacher or Principal Certification

 Probationary Certificates for Teachers

Only current students may request a probationary certificate. Once a candidate receives a job offer for the purpose of internship, the candidate is responsible for obtaining the Probationary Certificate Request paperwork and submitting it to the employing school. Consult your program requirements related to internship placements. Student teachers do not need to request a probationary certificate.

Teacher Candidates must be very careful to guard the usage of the three years that TEA allows for the placement of non-certified individuals. Emergency permits, local extensions and probationary certificates count toward the three-year limit. In accordance with TEA rules, probationary certificates are not available for those individuals who have already used their three years on a permit, probationary certificate, or combination of the two.

According to TEA requirements, when you receive a Probationary certificate, you are required to be enrolled in an Internship course and be supervised by a University Supervisor. There are no exceptions to this.

Contact the Certification Office at BeckyBirdsong@letu.edu for additional details.

Probationary Certificates for Principals

Students seeking principal credentials are not required to obtain a probationary certificate when enrolled in the practicum coursework. A probationary certificate would only be required if the candidate receives a formal principal job offer prior to completion of Principal certification and the employing district requests a probationary certificate.

According to TEA requirements, when you receive a Probationary certificate, you are required to be enrolled in a Practicum course and be supervised by a University Supervisor. There are no exceptions to this.

Contact the Certification Office at BeckyBirdsong@letu.edu for additional details.
 

How to Obtain a Probationary Certificate

Teachers and Principals

In order to be recommended for a probationary certificate by the LeTourneau University Certification Officer, the teacher or principal candidate must ensure that the following four steps are performed:

Download the Probationary Certificate/Internship Eligibility form

Step 1: Candidate Applies Online

• Go to www.tea.state.tx.us  > If necessary, create an account with TEA > Log in to TEA Web site > Choose APPLICATIONS > Choose PROBATIONARY CERTIFICATION > Follow the prompts. 
  
   NOTE: Candidate must apply online before Step 2

Step 2: Candidate Submits Paperwork to the Employing District 

• LeTourneau University Request for Probationary Certificate/Internship Eligibility Form

Step 3: Employing School District Verifies Internship Assignment 

• An authorized school district representative must verify assignment. An authorized representative may include human resources, a principal or an assistant principal.
• VERY IMPORTANT: This completed form must be received by the LETU certification office no later than 45 days after employment in order to avoid compliance issues for the employing school district.

Step 4: School District Faxes Completed Form to the LETU Certification Office at 903.233.3852 in c/o Becky Birdsong.

Important: Probationary Certificates are valid for 12 months and must be renewed by following the process outline above.