Paraprofessional Certificates

Paraprofessionals providing instructional support to individuals with disabilities must demonstrate completion of twenty contact hours of inservice training conducted within one calendar year of employment in which the paraeducator assumes assigned duties. 

Paraprofessional Certificate of Completion (Administrative Rule 67-11-14)

If you want a copy of the Paraeducator Training Modules, please contact our office at (701) 328-2277. 

Students taking courses through the Educator Pathway Program can combine specific courses to earn a Special Education Paraprofessional certification. This opportunity provides a solid foundation in educational pedagogy and enables students to contribute actively to their communities. It signifies students' early dedication to the field of education and prepares them for a fulfilling career focused on teaching and nurturing students' development.

Students can choose from three universities and take the listed courses to earn the special education certificate:

Valley City

EDUC 250 Introduction to Education (with embedded field experience) AND EDUC 240 Educating Exceptional Students

OR

EDUC 251 Introduction to the Teaching Profession AND EDUC 252 Introductory Field Experience AND EDUC 240 Educating Exceptional Students

Minot State University

SPED 110 Introduction to Exceptional Children AND SPED 299 Special Education Field Experience

Mayville State University

SPED 289 Foundations of Special Education AND SPED 289A Foundations of Special Education Practicum

This opportunity differs from the requirements needed to receive Title I Paraprofessional Certification. For more information, please visit the Title I Paraprofessional Certificate of Completion or contact Lauri Nord at lnord@nd.gov. 

The NDDPI has transitioned the paraprofessional application to NDTeach for the following paraprofessional certificate applications:

• Title I
• Special Education
• Special Education Technician
• Speech-Language Pathology

Step-by-step instructions: Paraprofessional Application in NDTeach

If you have questions regarding the Special Education paraprofessional certifications, please contact Michelle Souther.

Individuals providing special education technician services in school settings from early childhood through grade twelve must hold the North Dakota certificate of completion for special education.    

• Special Education Technician Frequently Asked Questions
• Special Education Technician Requirements (Administrative Rule 67-11-23)

The NDDPI has transitioned the paraprofessional application to NDTeach for the following paraprofessional certificate applications:

• Title I
• Special Education
• Special Education Technician
• Speech-Language Pathology

Step-by-step instructions: Paraprofessional Application in NDTeach

If you have questions regarding the Special Education Technician paraprofessional certifications, please contact Michelle Souther.

Individuals providing speech-language pathology paraprofessional services in school settings from early childhood through grade twelve must hold the North Dakota certificate of completion for speech-language pathology.

• Best Practices - Speech-Language Pathology Paraprofessional
• Certificate of Completion for Speech-Language Pathology Paraprofessionals (Administrative Rule 67-11-20)

The NDDPI has transitioned the paraprofessional application to NDTeach for the following paraprofessional certificate applications:

• Title I
• Special Education
• Special Education Technician
• Speech-Language Pathology

Step-by-step instructions: Paraprofessional Application in NDTeach

If you have questions regarding the Speech-Language Pathology paraprofessional certifications, please contact Michelle Souther.

Visit Title I Paraprofessional Certificate of Completion for additional information.

An aide/paraprofessional is one who assists teachers and students under the direction of a professional teacher to provide instructional support by reinforcing a teacher’s instruction in the classroom.
 
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires Title I paraprofessionals to have a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent and meet one of the following three requirements to be employed in a Title I program:

1. Obtained a working knowledge in reading, mathematics, and writing by completing two years of study (48 semester hours) at an accredited institution of higher education; or
2. Obtained an associate’s (or higher) degree; or
3. Met a rigorous and objective standard of quality, which includes a North Dakota-approved assessment of skills in reading, mathematics, and writing.

Individuals holding a North Dakota educator’s professional license meet the requirements under ESSA and the teaching license number could be used in lieu of the paraprofessional certificate of completion number.

The NDDPI has transitioned the paraprofessional application to NDTeach for the following paraprofessional certificate applications:

• Title I
• Special Education
• Special Education Technician
• Speech-Language Pathology

Step-by-step instructions: Paraprofessional Application in NDTeach

If you have questions regarding Title I paraprofessional certification, please contact Lauri Nord.

Starting in the fall of 2024, high school students will have the opportunity to embark on a career path in education by pursuing a K-12 General Paraprofessional Certificate. This certificate provides a solid foundation in educational pedagogy and enables students to contribute to their communities actively. It signifies students' early dedication to the field of education and prepares them for a fulfilling career focused on teaching and nurturing students' development.

Students can earn the certificate in three ways:

1. Students can take two of the three CTE courses related to teaching: Teaching Professional 09041, Educational Methodology 09042, and Cooperative Work Experience 09299.
2. Students can take two of the three General Education courses: Teaching Professional 20084, Educational Methodology 20085, Educational Workplace Experience 20086.
3. A combination of the six courses above equaling two or more courses.

The NDDPI has made the application process simple through the ND Teach portal. 

Find guidance on how to apply for the certificate here.

If you have any questions, please contact the office of School Approval & Opportunity at (701) 328-2755.