Practitioner Teacher Alternate Certification Program

• Streamlined certification path that combines intensive coursework with full-time teaching
• Offered by approved providers, both private entities and higher education institutions.
• Offers certification in Grades PK-3, 1-5, 4-8, 6-12, All-level K-12 (art, dance, foreign language, health and physical education, music) and special education mild-moderate.
• Candidates are issued a Practitioner License 1 (PL1) upon entering a state-approved program and a Level 1 Professional License after successful completion of all program requirements.
• The PL1 is valid for one school year and may be renewed annually up to three years. The candidate must remain enrolled in the Practitioner Teacher Program and fulfill a minimum of six (6) semester hours of coursework or equivalent contact hours per year (to the extent that required semester hours remain in the program to be completed), teaching assignments, and prescribed activities identified by the program provider.
• Total hours in program— Grades 1-5, 4-8, 6-12, All-Level K-12 and Mild/Moderate Special Education 27 to 33 credit hours (or equivalent 315-450 contact hours); Grades PK-3 24-33 credit hours (or equivalent 360-495 contact hours).

• Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university 
• Earned undergraduate degree with 2.5 GPA on 4.0 scale (as per LA R.S. 17:7.1 A.3) –or- if admitted into program on or after December 21, 2019 with an undergraduate GPA of less than 2.50 the candidate must have successfully completed an interview with the program’s admissions officer (as per LA R.S. 17:7.1 A.3) 
• Earned passing scores on Praxis core academics skills for educators (Praxis I); candidates possessing one of the following will be exempt from Praxis I: a graduate degree will be exempt from the Praxis I requirement when enrolling in a LA state-approved teacher preparation program, an ACT composite score of 22, or an SAT combined verbal/critical reading
• Pass Praxis II content specific examination.