Top 11 Teaching Assistant Certifications

Certifications for teaching assistants demonstrate to potential employers that the applicant has the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively support students in the classroom. They also show a commitment to professional development and provide evidence of competency in areas such as classroom management, instructional strategies, and effective communication with students. Certifications can help differentiate teaching assistants from other candidates in a competitive job market and can increase their chances of finding employment. In addition, certifications are often required by employers or states for teaching assistant positions, so having them can be essential for securing a job.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the most beneficial teaching assistant certifications and how they can help enhance a teaching assistant's career.

What are Teaching Assistant Certifications?

Teaching Assistant Certification is a type of certification program designed to equip aspiring teachers with the skills and knowledge needed to become successful teaching assistants. Teaching Assistants are an important part of any school’s staff, as they provide additional support for both students and teachers in the classroom. This certification can help individuals who are interested in becoming teaching assistants by providing them with the necessary training and qualifications they need to succeed in this role. The certification includes courses on topics such as classroom management, instructional strategies, student assessment and evaluation, lesson planning and development, communication skills, diversity awareness, and more. By earning this certification, teaching assistants will be better prepared to handle all of the tasks associated with their job. Additionally, having a teaching assistant certification may make applicants more attractive to employers when looking for jobs in the education field.

Pro Tip: When looking into becoming a teaching assistant, make sure to research the requirements for certification in your state or country. Different states and countries have varying requirements, so it is important to make sure you are meeting all necessary criteria before pursuing your certification.

Related: What does a Teaching Assistant do?

Top 11 Teaching Assistant Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Teaching Assistants today.

1. Certified Educational Assistant (CEA)

A Certified Educational Assistant (CEA) is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and expertise in the field of educational support. The CEA credential is designed to recognize those who have achieved a level of proficiency in their work as an educational assistant, such as working with students with special needs or providing instructional support to teachers.

The CEA credential is offered through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). To become certified, applicants must demonstrate knowledge and skills related to educational support services, including classroom management, assessment, instruction, and collaboration. Applicants must also complete a minimum of two years of experience in an educational setting.

The certification process typically takes about six months from start to finish. During this time, applicants will need to complete an application form and submit it along with supporting documents such as transcripts and letters of recommendation. Once the application has been approved by NBPTS, applicants will be required to take an online exam that tests their knowledge and skills related to educational support services.

The cost for the CEA certification varies depending on the applicant’s individual circumstances but typically ranges from $500-$800 USD. This cost includes the application fee, exam fee, and any additional fees associated with obtaining the certification.

2. Certified Instructional Assistant (CIA)

Certified Instructional Assistant (CIA) is a certification program offered by the National Institute for Certification in Education (NICE). It is designed to provide instructional assistants with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively support teachers and students in the classroom.

The CIA program consists of three courses: Foundations of Instructional Assistance, Classroom Management and Assessment, and Professionalism & Ethics. Each course takes approximately 10-12 hours to complete. Upon completion of all three courses, participants will receive a certificate of completion from NICE.

To get the CIA certification, you must first register for the program on the NICE website. The cost of registration is $149 per course or $447 for all three courses. After registering, you can take each course online at your own pace or attend an in-person training session if available. Once you have completed all three courses, you will be eligible to take the final exam which will certify you as a Certified Instructional Assistant (CIA).

3. National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS)

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is a non-profit organization that sets standards for the teaching profession. It was founded in 1987 and is based in Arlington, Virginia. The NBPTS provides certification to teachers who demonstrate a high level of knowledge, skills, and practices related to their field.

It takes approximately two years to complete the process of obtaining National Board Certification. The first step is to create an account on the NBPTS website and submit an application. Once your application has been approved, you will receive instructions on how to prepare for the assessment process. This includes completing online modules and submitting evidence of your teaching practice. After submitting all required materials, you will then take part in a portfolio review with a panel of trained assessors who will evaluate your work against the NBPTS standards.

The cost of applying for National Board Certification varies depending on where you live; however, it typically ranges from $2,000-$4,000 USD. You may also be eligible for financial assistance through grants or other programs offered by your state or school district. Additionally, some states offer incentives such as salary increases or bonuses for those who obtain National Board Certification.

4. International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Certification

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Certification is a professional certification program designed to recognize educators who demonstrate the highest levels of knowledge, skills, and performance in the use of technology to improve teaching and learning. The ISTE Certification is valid for three years and requires ongoing professional development to maintain it.

To get ISTE Certification, you must first complete an application form and pay a one-time fee of $125. You will then need to complete the ISTE Standards for Educators course, which consists of four modules that focus on digital age learning environments, instructional design, digital citizenship, and assessment. This course can take up to six hours to complete and is offered online or through face-to-face workshops. Once you have completed the course, you will be required to pass an online exam with a score of 80% or higher in order to receive your certification.

In addition to completing the coursework and passing the exam, applicants must also submit evidence of their professional development activities as part of their application process. This includes activities such as attending conferences or workshops related to technology integration in education; participating in online courses; creating technology-based projects; or developing technology-related materials for use in classrooms.

Once your application has been approved by ISTE staff, you will receive your official ISTE Certification badge that can be used on resumes and other professional documents.

5. Microsoft Office Specialist Certification

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification is a globally recognized certification that validates an individual’s skills in the Microsoft Office suite of applications. The MOS certification program tests an individual’s knowledge and proficiency in using various Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, and SharePoint.

The certification process consists of two parts: taking the exam and receiving a passing score. To take the exam, you must first register with Certiport, a testing center for MOS exams. Once registered, you can then purchase vouchers for the exam from Certiport or from Microsoft directly. Once you have purchased your voucher, you can then schedule your exam at a local testing center.

The length of time it takes to get certified depends on how quickly you are able to study and prepare for the exam. Generally speaking, it should take about 2-3 months to complete the entire process if studying diligently.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on where you purchase your voucher from and which version of Microsoft Office you are being tested on. Generally speaking, vouchers range from $50-$150 USD depending on where they are purchased from and which version of Microsoft Office is being tested on.

Overall, obtaining a MOS certification is an excellent way to validate your skills in using Microsoft Office applications and demonstrate your knowledge to potential employers or clients.

6. Google Certified Educator Level 1 & 2

Google Certified Educator Level 1 & 2 are certifications offered by Google to educators who want to demonstrate their expertise in using Google tools in the classroom.

Level 1 is designed for educators who have a basic understanding of Google tools and can use them to support teaching and learning. It includes topics such as creating documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and forms; managing files; and collaborating with others. To become certified at Level 1, you must pass an online exam that consists of 50 multiple-choice questions. The exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and costs $10 USD.

Level 2 is designed for educators who have a deeper understanding of Google tools and can use them to create innovative learning experiences. It includes topics such as using advanced features of Google tools, integrating third-party applications into G Suite for Education, designing effective assessments, and leveraging Chrome extensions and add-ons. To become certified at Level 2, you must pass an online exam that consists of 60 multiple-choice questions. The exam takes approximately 120 minutes to complete and costs $25 USD.

7. Apple Teacher Certification

Apple Teacher Certification is an online professional development program designed to help educators become proficient in the use of Apple products and services in the classroom. The program consists of a series of courses that cover topics such as using iPads, creating interactive lessons, and integrating technology into the classroom. It takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete the certification program.

To get Apple Teacher Certification, educators must first register for an Apple ID with their school email address. Once registered, they can access the Apple Teacher Learning Center where they will find a selection of courses tailored to their needs. After completing all of the required courses and assessments, they can submit their certificate application to receive their official Apple Teacher Certification badge.

The cost for Apple Teacher Certification varies depending on the type of course and other factors such as location and discounts offered by schools or districts. Generally speaking, however, most courses cost between $50-$100 USD per person.

8. Adobe Certified Associate (ACA)

Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates proficiency in Adobe digital communication tools. It certifies individuals’ ability to use the latest version of Adobe Creative Cloud products, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver and more.

The certification is designed for students and professionals who want to demonstrate their skills in Adobe products. It also provides employers with a way to identify qualified candidates for job openings.

It typically takes 1-2 months to complete the certification process. To get certified, you must first register with the ACA website and complete a series of online exams. The exams cover topics such as design principles, typography and color theory, as well as how to use specific Adobe software applications. Once you have passed all of the required exams, you will receive your official ACA certificate.

The cost of becoming an ACA varies depending on which exams you take and where you take them. Generally speaking, it costs between $50-$150 per exam.

9. BrainPOP Educator Certification

BrainPOP Educator Certification is a professional development program designed to help teachers become more effective users of BrainPOP and its related products. The program consists of an online course, which takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete, and a final assessment. After completing the course and passing the assessment, participants receive a certificate of completion from BrainPOP.

The cost for the BrainPOP Educator Certification is $99.00 USD per person. This fee covers the course materials, access to the online course, and the final assessment.

To get started with BrainPOP Educator Certification, you must first create an account on BrainPOP's website. Once your account has been created and activated, you will be able to access the online certification course. The course consists of four modules: Introduction to BrainPOP; Creating Engaging Lessons; Teaching Strategies; and Assessment & Evaluation. Each module includes videos, activities, quizzes, and other resources that will help you understand how to use BrainPOP in your classroom effectively. After completing all four modules and passing the final assessment, you will receive your certificate of completion from BrainPOP!

10. Common Sense Education Digital Citizenship Certification

Common Sense Education Digital Citizenship Certification is an online course designed to help educators and students learn how to use technology responsibly. The certification program consists of four self-paced modules, each focusing on specific topics related to digital citizenship. The modules cover topics such as cyberbullying, privacy, security, and media balance.

The course takes approximately two hours to complete and includes a final assessment that must be passed in order to receive the certification. After completing the course, participants will receive a certificate of completion from Common Sense Education.

In order to get the certification, you must first register for the course at Common Sense Education's website. Registration is free and once completed you can access the four modules which are available in both English and Spanish. After completing all four modules and passing the final assessment, you will receive your certificate of completion via email.

The Common Sense Education Digital Citizenship Certification is free of charge.

11. American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Endorsement

The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Endorsement is a program that recognizes school librarians who have demonstrated excellence in the field. It is an endorsement that is given to those who have achieved a high level of professional accomplishment and service to their school library programs.

To receive the AASL Endorsement, applicants must meet certain criteria including having at least five years of experience as a school librarian, having completed at least 30 hours of continuing education within the last five years, and having served in leadership roles within the profession. Applicants must also submit a portfolio of evidence demonstrating their accomplishments and service.

The application process for the AASL Endorsement typically takes about six months from start to finish. Once all requirements are met, applicants will receive notification from AASL regarding their status as an endorsed school librarian.

The cost for applying for the AASL Endorsement is $50 for members and $100 for non-members. This fee covers all costs associated with processing the application and issuing the endorsement certificate.

Do You Really Need a Teaching Assistant Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual and their career goals. For some, a teaching assistant certificate may not be necessary in order to achieve their desired career path. Those who hope to become teachers, however, should strongly consider earning a teaching assistant certificate as it can open up many opportunities and provide them with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the classroom.

A teaching assistant certificate is often required for those hoping to work as a teacher’s aide or assistant in a school setting. Having such a certificate can demonstrate that an individual has the required qualifications for the job and can prove invaluable when applying for positions. With increased competition for teaching positions, having a teaching assistant certificate can give applicants an edge over those without one.

In addition to being beneficial for those seeking employment, earning a teaching assistant certificate can also provide individuals with valuable skills and knowledge that can help them in any classroom setting. Teaching assistants are responsible for providing support to teachers by helping with tasks such as grading papers, managing student behavior, preparing materials for lessons and assisting students with their learning needs. A certificate program will teach individuals how to effectively carry out these responsibilities as well as other important skills such as classroom management techniques and effective communication strategies.

Overall, whether or not an individual needs a teaching assistant certificate depends on their specific career goals. Those who plan on becoming teachers should definitely consider obtaining one while others may find it unnecessary depending on the position they are looking for. Regardless of the situation, earning a teaching assistant certificate can be incredibly beneficial and provide individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in any educational setting.

Related: Teaching Assistant Resume Examples

FAQs About Teaching Assistant Certifications

1. What is a Teaching Assistant Certification?

A Teaching Assistant Certification is an official recognition that allows individuals to work as a teaching assistant in a school setting. This certification typically requires education courses, experience working with students, and passing an exam.

2. How do I become certified as a Teaching Assistant?

In order to become certified as a Teaching Assistant, you must complete the necessary educational requirements and pass an exam. Depending on your state or country, these requirements may vary, so it’s best to check with your local education authorities for specific information about what you need to do in order to be certified.

3. What are the benefits of having a Teaching Assistant Certification?

Having a Teaching Assistant Certification can help you secure higher-paying positions, demonstrate your commitment to teaching and learning, and provide you with greater job security in the field of education. It can also open doors for further educational opportunities such as becoming an administrator or teacher leader.

4. How long does it take to get certified as a Teaching Assistant?

The amount of time it takes to obtain Teaching Assistant Certification varies depending on the individual's educational background and experience level. Generally speaking, certification can range from several months up to two years or more depending on the program requirements and other factors.

5. Are there any online programs available for obtaining a Teaching Assistant Certification?

Yes! There are many online programs available that offer certification in teaching assistantship, such as those offered by colleges or universities or through professional organizations like the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). These programs usually require completion of coursework and/or exams before certification can be granted.