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 in content area
• 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
  • Tests &Measurements
  • 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

• • Instructional 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