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Teacher Certification

Undergraduate and graduate teacher candidates who have completed all requirements for Connecticut teacher certification may request a certification recommendation from Eastern.

Alumni can email Ms. Digby at digbyma@easternct.edu to begin the process or follow the Eastern Steps instructions located at the bottom of the page.

Current students and recent graduates, please follow the steps below. This PowerPoint presentation also includes all of the information, including links to instructional videos and certification websites.

The following information and videos will help guide you through the teacher certification application process. Please follow them carefully and contact us directly if you have any questions about the process or have issues accessing your Tk20 portfolio.

You will have to submit two applications to be considered for certification.

Note: The final review process will occur after grades for your final semester have been entered. It is important that you complete both applications to receive your certificate and that you carefully follow the instructions in the videos which outline the application procedure:

  1. Eastern’s application: (only “saved”- do NOT “submit” until all clock hours are completed) in Tk20
    • Video instructions available here: 
    • Upon confirming that the candidate has met all requirements, Eastern provides the State Department of Education with a formal recommendation for certification. In order for the state to grant your certification, please follow step 2 below. You can begin this process at the same time you are working on Eastern's application.
  2. State Department of Education (CSDE) application: submitted to the state via their CECS system.
    • The state of Connecticut does the actual issuing of certificates. Video instructions are available. The state will require that your official final transcripts be sent to them directly from Eastern (and any other institutions you may have completed required coursework) once your degree is awarded.
    • You can make a request to have transcripts sent at that future date using these instructions: How To Send Official Transcripts.
      Effective October 1, 2025, there is no longer a fee/cost for someone to apply for a ten-year initial educator certificate. If someone submitted an application and the required $50 review fee noted on the application—PRIOR TO OCTOBER 1, 2025—they no longer have to pay the additional $150 payment towards the total cost of $200 for issuance of a ten-year initial educator certificate. Exception:  if the educator is working in a public school, and they wish to obtain an effective date prior to October 1, 2025, then they are still required to submit the additional cost.
    • Additional fees may apply for extra endorsements.

Once you complete BOTH applications and your degree posts, Eastern will contact you regarding your recommendation to the state and next steps.

Again, for specific questions on your materials, please contact Ms. Marissa Digby, Certification Auditor (digbyma@easternct.edu). For Tk20 questions, email tk20@easternct.edu.

For general information about Eastern’s teacher certification programs, please contact the Education Department at (860) 465-4530, or visit the Committee for Admission and Retention in Education (CARE) website.

If you have questions about Eastern’s certification recommendation process, please contact Certification Officer, Associate Dean Colwell at (860) 465-4556.

Information about state requirements for certification, timelines, forms, etc. can be found online at the Connecticut State Department of Education’s Bureau of Certification.

Former process for those without Tk20 accounts

    1. Complete Eastern’s Fillable Request for Teacher Certification Recommendation in its entirety.
      • Complete the fillable PDF, or print the form and write legibly using black or blue ink.
    2. Complete page 1 of the ED 170A Short Form Application for Connecticut Initial Educator Certificate.
      • Complete page 1 only.
      • Use blue ink and write legibly in all uppercase letters.
    3. Submit all of the following forms/documents to the Office of the Dean, School of Education/Professional Studies, Webb Hall 160:
      • Eastern’s Request for Teacher Certification Recommendation Form
      • ED 170A Short Form Application for Connecticut Educator Certificate
      • Submission of edTPA scores (effective fall 2018)
      • Evidence of completed dyslexia module (effective fall 2018)
      • Official Praxis Core, SAT, GRE or ACT scores
      • Official Praxis II Score Report (Early Childhood Test score report for ECE)
        • Note: If you listed Eastern as your school of attendance when completing Praxis testing, we will have access to your scores
      • Official CT Foundations of Reading Test score report (Elementary & ECE applicants only)
        • Note: If you listed Eastern as your school of attendance when completing Praxis testing, we will have access to your scores
      • Official transcript(s) from any non-Eastern institution that you attended
      • First Aid card (Physical Education applicants only)
      • Student Teaching Clock Hours Form and, if applicable, the Student Teaching Clock Hours Summary Form

    Do not send money with the recommendation request. Only requests with all required information and supporting documents will be processed.