Paraeducators play a vital role in supporting student learning by providing individualized attention and helping create an inclusive, positive classroom environment. Their work ensures that all students have the resources and guidance they need to succeed academically and socially.
Interested in a rewarding and meaningful career? Find out more about becoming a Paraeducator:
Paraeducator Generalist Certification
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.
- Course I - Introduction/Foundation
- Course II - Instructional Support
- 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
Paraeducator Areas of Concentration
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.