Classroom Teachers Certification Flowchart

Classroom Teachers Certification

 

Basic I

 

Valid for Two (2) Years — Renewable

  • Signed and Completed Certification Application Form
  • One (1) Passport Size Photo (For First-time Applicant Only)
  • Fingerprint Submission (valid for one (1) year)**
  • Police Clearance (valid for one (1) year)
  • Payment receipt of $40 (processing fee per certification)
  • Official College Transcript
  • Bachelor's degree or higher
  • Proof of Passing Praxis II
  • Current recommendation letter from a Supervisor/ Principal (For Renewal Only) 
  • Proof of completion of one hundred twenty (120) hours of seminars, workshops, or in-service training as sanctioned by PSS/BOE and or equivalent university or college courses (For Renewal Only) 
**The CNMI Certification and Licensure Office requires fingerprint processing for the following: 
  1. First-time applicants applying for certification; 
  2. Applicants who have left and are returning to the CNMI Public School System (PSS) after two (2) years; 
  3. Off-island applicants

 

Basic II

 

Valid for Three (3) Years — Renewable

  • Met Basic I Requirements
  • Signed and Completed Certification Application Form
  • Background Check:
    • Fingerprint Submission (if re-entering the system after two (2) years)
    • Police Clearance (valid for one (1) year)
  • Payment receipt of $60.00 (processing fee per certification)
  • Current Recommendation Letter from a Supervisor/Principal
  • Official Transcript or Certificate of Completion of specific Basic II courses:
    • Multicultural Education/Teaching Linguistically Diverse Students
    • Teaching Reading
    • Inclusive Practice for Students with Learning Disability
    • Instructional Strategies/Classroom Management
    • Internship or Mentoring Program
    • Computer Technology
  • Professional Development:
    • For Initial: Proof of completion of one hundred twenty (120) hours of seminars, workshops, or in-service training as sanctioned by PSS/BOE and or equivalent university or college courses
    • For Renewal: Proof of completion of one hundred eighty (180) hours of seminars, workshops, or in-service training as sanctioned by PSS/BOE and or equivalent university or college courses

 

Standard

 

Valid for Five (5) Years — Renewable

  • Met Basic II Requirements
  • Signed and Completed Certification Application Form
  • Background Check:
    • Fingerprint Submission (if re-entering the system after two (2) years)
    • Police Clearance (valid for one (1) year)
  • Payment receipt of $100.00 (processing fee per certification)
  • Current Recommendation Letter from a Supervisor/Principal
  • Official Transcript or Certification of Completion of specific Standard courses:

    Elementary Education Endorsement

    • Instructional Technology
    • NMI History/Pacific Institute
    • Reading Diagnostic
    • Tests &Measurements
    • Language Arts Methods
    • Math Methods
    • Science Methods
    • Social Studies Methods
    • Curriculum in Early Childhood Education

     

    Special Education Endorsement 

    • Instructional Technology
    • NMI History/Pacific Institute
    • Reading Diagnostic
    • Tests and Measurements
    • Student Evaluation for Special Education
    • Behavioral Modification in the Classroom
    • Modification and Adaptation of Curriculum for Special Education Students
    • Medical Implication of Special Education Students in the Classroom
    • Current Issues in Special Education

     

    Early Childhood Special Education Endorsement 

    • Instructional Technology
    • NMI History/Pacific Institute
    • Reading Diagnostic
    • Philosophical, Historical and Legal Foundations of Early Childhood
    • Intervention and Special Education
    • Health, Safety and Medical Aspects of Children with Special Needs
    • Fundamentals Child Growth and Development; Partnerships and Families
    • Evaluation and Assessment
    • Program Implementation in Natural Environments

     

    Early Childhood Education Endorsement

    • Technology
    • NMI History/Pacific Institute
    • Reading Diagnostic
    • Curriculum in Early Childhood Education
    • Guiding and Nurturing Young Children
    • Education for Parenthood
    • Safety, Health and First Aid for Young Children
    • Administration in Early Childhood Education
    • Introduction to Exceptional Individual

     

    Secondary Education Endorsement (for Junior and Senior High School Teachers)

    • Instructional Technology
    • NMI History/Pacific Institute
    • Reading Diagnostic
    • Tests and Measurements
    • Methods in Content Area
    • Three (3) Courses in Content Area (9 credits) 

     

    Chamorro/Carolinian Language & Heritage Studies Endorsement

    • Instructional Technology
    • NMI History/Pacific Institute
    • Reading Diagnostic
    • Evaluation and Assessment in Bilingual
    • Historical and Philosophical Foundation of Bilingual
    • First and Second Language Acquisition
    • Chamorro and Carolinian Orthography 

      *Important Note for Bilingual Teachers:

      Any teacher who had obtained and completed the course requirements of the Specialized Certificate in Bilingual will only need to take the following courses or equivalent: 

      • Instructional Technology 
      • NMI History/Pacific Institute (NMI)
      • Reading Diagnostic 

     

    Special Education Related Service Provider Endorsement 

    • Instructional Technology
    • NMI History/Pacific Institute
    • Multicultural Education/Teaching Linguistically Diverse Students

     

  • Professional Development:
    • For Initial: Proof of completion of one hundred eighty (180) hours of seminars, workshops, or in-service training as sanctioned by PSS/BOE and or equivalent university or college courses
    • For Renewal: Proof of completion of three hundred (300) hours of seminars, workshops, or in-service training as sanctioned by PSS/BOE and or equivalent university or college courses

 

Professional

 

Valid for Ten (10) Years — Renewable

  • Met Standard Requirements
  • Signed and Completed Certification Application Form
  • Background Check:
    • Fingerprint Submission (if re-entering the system after two (2) years)
    • Police Clearance (valid for one (1) year)
  • Payment receipt of $200.00 (processing fee per certification) 
  • Current Recommendation Letter from a Supervisor/ Principal 
  • Master’s degree or higher in the following fields:
    • Secondary Education Masters in Specialized content area
    • Special Education
    • Early Childhood Education
    • Counseling
    • Education: Administration and Supervision
    • Other specialized area in Education 
  • Current membership of Professional Education Association
  • Employment Verification of ten (10) cumulative years of instructional experience 
  • Professional Development:
    • For Initial: Proof of completion of three hundred (300) hours of seminars, workshops, or in-service training as sanctioned by PSS/BOE and or equivalent university or college courses
    • For Renewal: Proof of completion of six hundred (600) hours of seminars, workshops, or in-service training as sanctioned by PSS/BOE and or equivalent university or college courses