Professional Learning

Unlock access to hundreds of self-paced courses and renewal credit opportunities with AEA Learning Online. Many of the trainings are free to Iowa AEA employees and participating school districts. Non-district users or those in non-participating school districts pay $25 per training. Licensure renewal and graduate credit courses are options to anyone at the standard course fee.

AEA Learning Online

Click the HELP! icon in the top left corner for the FAQ and support contacts.

Training Requirements

Unsure which trainings you need to complete? Reference the list of Commonly Required Trainings. Please note that requirements may vary by district so please contact your district to confirm their specific requirements. You can also view the Reference Guide for Educator and District Staff Training and Professional Development, provided by the Iowa Department of Education.

District Verification Code

A district verification code is required when registering with a district or when transferring to a new district. You can obtain this code from your district system administrator. If you are already registered but have forgotten your login information, contact your principal or district system administrator for assistance.

Account Registration

You will need an identAEA account in order to complete mandatory and non-mandatory trainings, and register for courses in AEA Learning Online and the AEA Professional Learning Registration System. If you are unsure whether you have a previous account, do not create a new one, as this can cause the loss of training records and issues logging in. Try resetting your password or contact the Professional Learning Department at professionallearning@gwaea.org or 319-399-6767. 

Don’t have an account in identAEA? Follow the steps in this guide.

Visit the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (BoEE) to learn more information about this license, including renewal requirements and application process.

The Substitute Authorization course addresses the four components that the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (BoEE) requires: Classroom Management, Strategies for Learning, Diversity and Ethics. 

Requirements

A Substitute Authorization may be issued to an individual who:

• Has successfully completed all of the requirements of the approved Substitute Authorization course
• Has achieved at least one of the following:
  • Holds an associate’s degree or has completed 60 semester hours through an accredited institution
  • Holds a Paraeducator Certificate from the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (BoEE)
• Has successfully completed an Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and national criminal history background check

Authority

Receiving a Substitute Authorization will allow an individual to substitute teach in any subject for grades PK-12 and up to ten consecutive days within a 30-day period in the same assignment.

Paraeducators who hold a paraeducator certificate with the limited substitute authorization may serve as a substitute only in their own special education classroom. If the paraeducator holds a full substitute authorization, they may serve as a substitute teacher in any classroom except Driver’s Ed.

Term

A Substitute Authorization is valid for five years.

Step 1: Complete the Substitute Authorization Course

• Statewide virtual Substitute Authorization Courses, offered by AEAs across the state.
• Iowa Substitute Teaching Authorization Self-Paced Course, offered by AEA Learning Online

Step 2: Submit an Application to the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners

The application instructions and assistance will be provided during the Substitute Authorization course. The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners’ application system is entirely online on its website.

Background Check and Fingerprinting

All new applicants for Iowa licensure must undergo a background check and fingerprinting as part of the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners’ application process. The application fee is currently $85, and the background check fee is $35 (+ a $3 convenience fee), payable to the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners. Applicants will complete their background screenings through Iowa Fieldprint and pay a fee of $34.35.

All fees are subject to change.

Employment

Once you have obtained your Substitute Authorization, you can apply to your preferred school district(s) or apply with SubCentral at Grant Wood AEA, which processes substitutes for teachers at 16 participating school districts: 

1. Alburnett
2. Anamosa
3. Cedar Rapids
4. Central City
5. Center Point-Urbana
6. College Community
7. Grant Wood
8. Marion
9. Lisbon
10. Linn-Mar
11. Monticello
12. Mount Vernon
13. Iowa City Regina Catholic
14. Springville
15. Summit
16. Xavier Catholic Schools

Substitute Authorization vs. Substitute License

A Substitute Authorization is not the same as a Substitute License. To obtain a Substitute License, you must have completed a full state of Iowa-approved teacher preparation program and have held an Iowa teaching license.

Visit the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (BoEE) to learn more information about this license, including renewal requirements and application process.

A paraeducator is an employee who works under the supervision of teachers or other licensed personnel by providing assistance within the classroom and to a variety of students, including those with and without disabilities. They work in a range of educational settings, such as general education classrooms, school buses, playgrounds, and school media centers.

Prerequisites for Obtaining Certification

• Minimum of 18 years of age.
• Verification of high school completion or equivalence.
• Participants must have access to a computer/internet to take the courses.
• It is required that participants be employed by an accredited Iowa school district as a practicing paraeducator, work as a substitute paraeducator in an accredited Iowa school district or have a teacher and administrator who are willing to mentor you through the certification program.

Authority

Student assistance - not leading any direct instruction.

Term

A Paraeducator Certification is valid for five years.

Step 1: Complete Paraeducator Certification Courses I, II, & III

To obtain a Paraeducator Generalist Certification, you must successfully complete the following three courses. It is strongly encouraged that participants take Foundations (Course 1) before Courses 2 and 3.

1. Course I - Introduction/Foundation
2. Course II - Instructional Support
3. Course III - Behavioral Supports

Each of the three Paraeducator Generalist Certification courses involves virtual meetings and the completion of online units. Participants need to have access to a computer and the internet to complete these courses.

Fee for each course: $120 (Total $360)

To view a list of courses offered across the AEAs, visit our statewide Paraeducator Generalist Certification courses.

Step 2: Monitoring Process

Participants must have a certified mentor to support them with course activities, oversee a clinical experience, and complete observation.

An AEA certifying official must provide an applicant with a signed Paraeducator Certification Recommendation form to obtain a Paraeducator Generalist Certification or add an Area of Concentration to a license.

Find your local AEA Certifying Official

Step 3: Submit an Application to the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (BoEE)

The application directions and assistance will be provided during Course III. The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners’ (BoEE) application system is entirely online at the BoEE website. 

Verification of High School Completion

As part of the online application process, you will need to upload verification of high school completion. This may be a scanned or electronic copy of a diploma, transcripts, letter from the school district on school letterhead, or verification of GED completion. 

Accepted forms of verification include:

• High school diploma
• High school transcripts with graduation date
• Certificate of GED completion
• Letter on school letterhead from school district individual graduated from with year graduated listed
• Letter from program GED was completed from including year completed
• Letter from the State Department of Education verifying graduation or GED completion

Note: If you completed high school outside of the United States, you will still need to verify your completion. This can be a diploma, a letter from a state agency or a letter from the school. Proof of any education completed above and beyond high school would also be accepted. If you completed a college degree or even several courses from a college or university, that verification would be accepted. If you can have your verification translated into English, that would be helpful. If you are unable to, still submit it to the BoEE, and they will see what they can do. They just need verification that high school was completed.

Background Check and Fingerprinting

The application fee is currently $40, and the background check fee is $35 (+ a $3 convenience fee) payable to the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (fees subject to change by BoEE). Applicants will complete their background screenings through Fieldprint® Iowa and pay a fee of $34.35 to them.

All fees are subject to change

Prerequisites for Obtaining Certification

Visit the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (BoEE) to learn more information about this license, including renewal requirements and application process.

All Level II courses are open to paraeducators desiring professional growth and/or additional certification. For those seeking certification, participants must have completed the generalist certification with the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (BoEE) before adding Level II certificates.

Paraeducator Area of Concentration Courses

Area of Concentration courses are three credits each. Any of these courses can be used to receive a Level II certification (area of concentration), and you can use the three credits to renew your Paraeducator Generalist Certificate.

To view a list of courses offered across the AEAs, visit our statewide Areas of Concentration courses.

Classroom Strategies for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Participants will better understand the characteristics and needs of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and how to use teaching strategies that capitalize on learning strengths. An emphasis is placed on structured teaching principles to teach children in the areas of academics, communication, independence, social leisure and relaxation.

Early Childhood

Participants will gain knowledge, skills and strategies to assist, support and maintain the positive social, emotional and behavioral development of early childhood students and students with special needs (birth to grade 3, with an emphasis on ages 3-5).

English as a Second Language

Participants will learn skills and strategies to assist and support English Learners.

Library, Media & Technology

Participants will gain knowledge, skills and strategies in library, media and technology to support the K-12 school teacher-librarian in the operation of the school library.

Special Needs

Participants will understand the nature of serving students with special needs.

Substitute Authorization

Paraeducators who hold a Paraeducator Generalist Certificate with the limited Substitute Authorization may serve as a substitute only in their own special education classroom. If the paraeducator holds a full Substitute Authorization, they may serve as a substitute teacher in any classroom except Driver’s Ed.

The Substitute Authorization course addresses the four components that the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (BoEE) requires: Classroom Management, Strategies for Learning, Diversity and Ethics. 

Visit the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (BoEE) to learn more information about educator licenses and authorizations, including how to apply for, renew, or reinstate a license. It offers guidance on required documentation, continuing education, and professional development, as well as tools to verify or search for licensed educators.

If applicable, have your folder number ready before contacting the BoEE office.

Educational Examiners Staff Directory

Renewal Credits

Courses offering licensure renewal can be found on our Professional Learning Registration System. 

• Login with your identAEA credentials
• Enter "LR" in the search bar on the home page
• Click Search
• Click on the 6-digit Session ID number to read more about the course and complete the registration process

Additional license renewal opportunities can be found on AEA Learning Online.

How can I become a substitute teacher?

If you have at least 60 semester hours, you will complete a Substitute Authorization course, then apply for a substitute authorization.

If you hold a paraeducator certificate and you do not have at least 60 semester hours, you can complete the substitute authorization course available through the AEA, and you will instead apply to add an area of concentration to your paraeducator certificate, allowing you to substitute in your own assigned classroom only.

If you hold a current teaching license in Iowa, you do not need to obtain an additional substitute license. Contact the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (BoEE) for more information and specific guidance.

Is certification required to work as a paraeducator in Iowa?

Not in all cases. The state of Iowa does not require all paraeducators to be certified; however, individual districts may have different policies. Contact the specific school district to confirm their requirements.

My license is expired; what do I do? 

You cannot provide instruction if your license has expired, even if your application has been submitted. You will likely need to apply for an extension, as renewal applications can take 4-6 weeks to process. Contact the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (BoEE) for more information and specific guidance. 

My required trainings are not displaying; where are they?

You may have multiple accounts that you created throughout your professional journey. Contact the support team at support@aealearningonline.org and they can assist you further.

AEA Learning Online Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I locate my transcripts and certificates?

Transcripts for credit-bearing Professional Learning opportunities through the AEAs can be found on our Professional Learning Registration System. 

• Log in to the Professional Learning Registration System
• Select Transcripts from the left-hand menu under User Account Information
• Select Year of Record > Select Go
• Your transcript will automatically download

Certificates for non-credit-bearing courses can be found on our Professional Learning Registration System.

• Log in to the Professional Learning Registration System
• Select Registration History/Certificates on the left-hand menu under User Account Information
• Select the Past Sessions tab
• Select Certificate under the session
• Your certificate will automatically download

Please reference this guide document to help you navigate these steps.

Certificates for mandatory trainings and transcripts for credit-bearing courses completed through AEA Learning Online can be found on the AEA Learning Online training site. 

• Log in to AEA Learning Online
• Click on the House icon on the top left corner of your screen
• Scroll down to Training history
• Click on the Certificate or Transcript button to the right of the training title
  • If there is no Certificate button, the training has expired
• The certificate or transcript will either download automatically or open a new browser tab

Interested in becoming an instructor with Grant Wood AEA? We require our instructors to hold a Master’s degree, or have expertise or training in your field, which qualifies you to lead professional development. 

Instructor Requirements

Step 1: Apply to Teach

Enter your credentials (vita) into the statewide registration system. They will be reviewed by your AEA and if approved, you will be given instructor rights in the system and can proceed to the next step. 

Step 2: Request a Room Reservation

If you plan to hold the course at a GWAEA facility, please use this form to request a room reservation through the Professional Learning office.

*If the course will not be held at a GWAEA facility, skip to Step 3.

Please note: It is preferred that Professional Learning courses open to non-AEA staff be held at our Sixth Street location whenever possible as the building is fully staffed to provide support.

Step 3: Propose a Course

Propose a course or workshop using this proposal template. Due to shifts to service for a fee, we need to release courses sooner for advertising. Catalog courses must be submitted at least 6 weeks in advance of the course start date.

Step 4: Enter a Course or Add a Session

Enter the course proposal into the Professional Learning Registration System. 

If the course has been approved previously, add a session that will include the date(s), time(s), and location you plan to offer the course.

Step 5: Approval Process

Courses will go through an approval process at your AEA, and if modifications are needed, the proposal will be denied and you will be notified via email; you will need to make the modifications and . Once a course/workshop is approved, it will be set up and available for participants to register. You will receive an email from the Professional Learning office with course details and a link to the course registration.

Step 6: Submit a Flyer Request

Instructors will request a promotional flyer using this form and work collaboratively with Creative Services to create the final product.

Note: Please allow for up to 2-3 weeks for flyer creation.

Step 7: Finalize Your Course

When your course is over, complete the Attendance, Registration Status, and Grading portions of the Instructor tab. Once completed, participants will receive a survey (if applicable) and a transcript will be generated that participants can access and download from their account in the system.

If you would like to review the survey results for your course, please contact the Professional Learning office. 

*Please note: To best support your role, the Professional Learning office will be added to the list of Instructors for your course.

All registrants are responsible for registering for their own courses and training. This ensures accurate records, participant agreement to the course requirements and payment terms, and streamlined communication between the instructor and participants.

Reference the below guide documents to assist you to:

• Register for a course/session
• Change credit type
• Withdraw or cancel registration
• Download your transcript

2025-26 Professional Development Fee Structure

We are grateful to partner with the following universities to provide graduate credit opportunities for select courses.

• Buena Vista University
• Grand View University
• Morningside University
• University of Northern Iowa

Courses have different requirements based on the credit type selected. All types of credit will require 15 contact hours per credit. Graduate credit will require an additional 30 hours of out-of-class work per credit. There will be extended learning opportunities provided outside of class meeting times.