CERTIFICATION FEE INCREASE – Effective August 1, 2023
Applications and forms are being updated to reflect this change.
The application fee will increase to $38.00 effective August 1, 2023. The fee must be paid by cashier’s check or money order made payable to the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) or through the ALSDE Educator Certification Online Payment System
, with a major credit card (a transaction fee will be applied). The cashier’s check, money order, or copy of the receipt verifying the confirmation number for the online payment must accompany the application packet. Neither Personal checks nor cash will be accepted.
Background Clearance Based on Fingerprint Review
- Applicants may verify whether their Alabama State Bureau of Investigation (ASBI) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) criminal history background checks have been completed and whether they are suitable and fit to teach under state law at TCERT Portal.
- Applicants for initial certification, additional certification, and certificate renewal who the ASBI and FBI have not cleared through the Educator Certification Section of the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) must be fingerprinted for a criminal history background check through the ASBI and FBI.
- Fieldprint is the authorized contractor and will facilitate scheduling, payment, and fingerprint collection on behalf of the ALSDE.
Applicants (both in and out of state) requiring a criminal history background check are to register for a background check by visiting AIMs
- Applicants will be required to create an AIM account prior to registering for fingerprint submission. Once the AIM account is established, applicants can move forward with registration, payment, and appointment scheduling.
- You will be provided with the location of the authorized fingerprint sites nearest you during registration.
- Applicants (both in and out of state) who are unable to visit a designated fingerprint location can request fingerprint cards during the scheduling process with Fieldprint.
- Once fingerprint cards are received, the applicant must contact a local law enforcement agency to be fingerprinted on the cards. After being fingerprinted, the applicant must send one completed fingerprint card made payable to Fieldprint, Inc. based on their instructions.
- The applicant should keep the second completed fingerprint card in case a reprint notice is received.
- Applicants living in a country other than the United States should wait until present in the United States to complete the fingerprint process.
- For additional information related to our criminal history background check process, please contact us at 334-694-4557.
- Please allow 5 business days upon receipt of your criminal results at the ALSDE before making an inquiry.
Teacher Certification Help
Teacher Certification is responsible for ensuring that academic requirements for certification approaches are met, background clearance requirements for professional and support staff are satisfied, and that all test requirements are met for issuance of certificates. For certification questions please go to Certification help, in our knowledgebase.
