Teacher Certification Procedures

Procedure for Obtaining Initial 5-Year Certificate:

1. Complete bachelor’s degree and/or certificate program and have degree posted to official transcript.
2. Complete Novice Foreign Language Proficiency.
3. Pass required certification exams (Oklahoma Subject Area Test(s) OR Praxis Subject Assessments AND the PPAT).
4. Complete fingerprinting process during teacher candidacy semester.
5. Complete the online Recommendation Request for Teacher Certification.  The Certification officer will complete SWOSU’s recommendation once steps #1-3 are completed. 
6. Create account for the Single Sign On Oklahoma Educator Credentialing System.
   1. If you are a new user, click on “Are you a New User?  Click here to create an account.”  Save the user name and password you create for future access and renewal.
7. After account log in, click “Apply for Your College Recommendation Here.” Complete the 7-step wizard.  You will need a credit card to pay the processing fee.
8. Once your application is complete, OSDE will mail your certificate to the address listed on your account in about 5 business days.

Procedure for Obtaining Additional Teaching Areas:

1. Obtain initial certification in major field.
2. Pass OSAT(s) for additional area. (This does not apply to Elementary, Early Childhood or Special Education.)
3. Log into your Single Sign On System account. Click on “Log in or create account” and follow the directions. Processing fee payable with credit card to add area to existing license/certificate.
4. If this option is not available via the online system, call OSDE Teacher Certification at 405-521-3337 or use the OSDE form.  Complete the form, including demographics, Part I, Part III, signature and date, and mail it and processing fee to OSDE.  A university recommendation is NOT required for adding areas only by testing.

Procedure for Obtaining Certification in Master's Level Areas:

1. Complete master’s degree and/or certificate program, such as Educational Administration, Reading Specialist, School Counseling, or Psychometry degree.
2. Pass all required certification (CEOE) exams.
3. Meet all other requirements if applicable (such as teaching experience or current teaching certificate).
4. Complete the online Recommendation Request for Teacher Certification.  The Certification officer will complete SWOSU’s recommendation once steps #1-3 are completed. 
5. Log into your Single Sign On System account. Click the link “Apply for Your College Recommendation Here” and complete application. You will need a credit card to pay the fee to add area/renew existing license/certificate.
6. OSDE will issue and mail your new 5-year certificate to the address listed on your account in about 3-5 business days.