Top 10 Technology Teacher Certifications

Certifications are important for technology teachers in the job market because they demonstrate to employers that a teacher has the necessary knowledge and experience to teach technology effectively. By obtaining certifications, such as those from organizations like CompTIA or Microsoft, teachers can show their commitment to professional development and have a competitive edge over other job applicants. Additionally, certifications provide teachers with a way to keep up-to-date with the latest technological trends, giving them an advantage when teaching students about current technologies. Finally, certifications can help increase a teacher’s salary potential by making them more desirable for higher-paying positions or promotions.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the most beneficial certifications for Technology Teachers, and explain how they can help advance a technology teacher's career.

What are Technology Teacher Certifications?

Technology teacher certification is a professional credential that recognizes an individual's knowledge and skills in the fields of technology and teaching. The certification demonstrates to employers, school districts, parents, and students that the individual has a high level of expertise in both areas. This certification can help teachers to stay up-to-date with the latest trends in education technology and to be better equipped to teach students how to use technology effectively. Technology teacher certification can also help teachers gain access to grants and other funding opportunities related to technology education. In addition, this certification provides teachers with the opportunity to network with other certified professionals and receive feedback from experts in the field. Ultimately, technology teacher certification can help teachers become more effective educators by providing them with greater knowledge of current technologies as well as best practices for incorporating those technologies into their classrooms.

Pro Tip: When considering technology teacher certification, be sure to research the requirements and regulations in your state. Each state has its own set of guidelines for technology teacher certification, so it’s important to be aware of them before you pursue a certification program.

Related: What does a Technology Teacher do?

Top 10 Technology Teacher Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Technology Teachers today.

1. Certified Technology Education Teacher (CTET)

Certified Technology Education Teacher (CTET) is a certification program for technology educators. It is administered by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). The program is designed to recognize educators who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge, skills, and abilities in teaching technology-related subjects.

The CTET certification process consists of two parts: an online application and an assessment. The online application includes information about the applicant's education and experience, as well as a statement of purpose. The assessment consists of multiple-choice questions that test the applicant's knowledge of technology concepts and best practices in teaching these concepts.

It typically takes 3-6 months to complete the CTET certification process, depending on how quickly the applicant completes their application and assessment.

The cost to obtain the CTET certification varies depending on whether or not you are an ISTE member. For non-members, it costs $295 USD; for members, it costs $245 USD.

2. International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Certified Educator

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Certified Educator is a professional certification program that recognizes educators who demonstrate knowledge and skills related to the effective use of technology in education. The certification is designed to provide educators with the confidence and competence they need to integrate technology into their teaching practice.

The ISTE Certified Educator program consists of three levels: ISTE Certified Educator (Level 1), ISTE Master Teacher (Level 2), and ISTE Innovative Educator (Level 3). Each level requires different levels of experience, knowledge, and skill.

To become an ISTE Certified Educator, applicants must complete a series of online courses and assessments that cover topics such as digital citizenship, instructional design, educational technology resources, and assessment strategies. The program also requires applicants to complete a portfolio project demonstrating their mastery of the material. The entire process typically takes between six months and one year to complete.

The cost for the ISTE Certified Educator program varies depending on the level of certification sought. Level 1 certification costs $450 USD; Level 2 costs $750 USD; and Level 3 costs $1,200 USD.

3. Microsoft Certified Educator

Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) is a certification program designed to recognize educators who have the technical skills and knowledge required to effectively use Microsoft technologies in the classroom. The MCE certification is awarded by Microsoft after successful completion of an online assessment and evaluation process.

The MCE certification program consists of two levels: Level 1 and Level 2. To become certified, educators must demonstrate their proficiency in using Microsoft technologies by passing an online assessment at either level.

Level 1 assesses basic knowledge and skills related to using Microsoft Office products, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote. Level 2 assesses advanced knowledge and skills related to using Microsoft Office products, including SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive for Business, Yammer, Sway, Forms Pro, Power BI Pro, Flow/Power Automate, PowerApps/Model-driven apps/Canvas apps/Common Data Service (CDS), Project Online Professional/Project Server 2019/Project Online Premium Plan 2/Project Server 2016 with SharePoint Server 2016 Enterprise CALs.

It takes approximately 3-4 hours to complete the Level 1 assessment and 6-8 hours to complete the Level 2 assessment.

To get certified as a Microsoft Certified Educator you need to register for the exam on the Microsoft Learning website. Once registered you will be able to access the course materials and assessments that are required for certification. The cost of taking the exam varies depending on your country or region but typically ranges from $50-$150 USD per exam.

4. Apple Teacher Certification

Apple Teacher Certification is an online professional development program designed to help educators learn how to use Apple products in the classroom. It is a free, self-paced program that consists of eight courses, each taking about two hours to complete. The courses cover topics such as using iPad and Mac in the classroom, creating interactive lessons with Keynote and Pages, and exploring creative ways to use apps like GarageBand and Clips.

Once all eight courses are completed, educators can take a final assessment to earn their Apple Teacher certification. This certification recognizes their proficiency in using Apple products for teaching and learning. It also provides access to additional resources such as exclusive webinars and discounts on Apple products.

The entire process takes approximately 16 hours to complete but can be done at your own pace over several weeks or months if needed.

The Apple Teacher Certification program is completely free of charge.

5. Adobe Certified Associate

Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) is a certification program that validates the technical skills of individuals using Adobe digital media software. The ACA certification is designed to help students, educators, and professionals demonstrate proficiency in Adobe digital media tools.

The ACA certification requires passing one or more exams that measure knowledge of specific Adobe products. Exams are available for Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Animate, Dreamweaver, Premiere Pro, and After Effects. Each exam typically takes about 90 minutes to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions that test knowledge of the product’s features and capabilities.

To get an ACA certification, you must first register for an exam at the Adobe Certification website. The cost of each exam varies depending on your location but generally ranges from $95 to $180 USD. Once you have registered for the exam, you can schedule it at a Pearson VUE testing center near you.

Once you have taken and passed the exam, your results will be sent to Adobe within 24 hours. You will then receive an email with instructions on how to access your official Adobe Certified Associate certificate online.

6. Google Certified Educator Level 1 & 2

Google Certified Educator Level 1 & 2 are certifications that demonstrate an individual’s ability to use Google tools in the classroom. The certification is designed to help educators become more proficient and confident in their use of Google tools, such as Google Classroom, G Suite for Education, and Chrome OS.

The Level 1 certification is designed to provide foundational knowledge and skills necessary to effectively integrate Google tools into the classroom. It focuses on topics such as creating classes in Google Classroom, setting up student accounts, using Drive for collaboration, and using Chrome OS devices. The Level 1 exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and takes about two hours to complete.

The Level 2 certification builds upon the knowledge gained from the Level 1 certification by focusing on more advanced topics such as creating collaborative documents with Docs, Sheets, and Slides; managing Chromebooks; and using advanced features of Classroom. The Level 2 exam consists of 80 multiple-choice questions and takes about three hours to complete.

To get certified at either level, individuals must pass a proctored online exam administered by Certiport. The cost for the exams varies depending on location but typically ranges from $50-$100 USD per exam.

7. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ is an industry-leading certification for IT professionals. It is designed to validate the knowledge and skills of entry-level computer service technicians. CompTIA A+ certification covers a wide range of hardware, software, operating systems, networking, security, and troubleshooting topics.

How long does it take to get it?

It typically takes around six months to a year to study and prepare for the CompTIA A+ exam. The time frame can vary depending on your existing experience and skill level.

How to get it?

To obtain the CompTIA A+ certification you must pass two exams: 220-901 and 220-902. Both exams are 90 minutes long and consist of multiple choice questions. You must pass both exams with a score of 700 or higher in order to be certified.

How much does it cost?

The cost of the two exams is usually around $400 USD in total, though this can vary depending on where you take them. Additionally, some employers may cover the cost of the exam as part of their training program or as part of an employee benefit package.

8. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is a certification offered by Cisco Systems to demonstrate an individual's competency in networking. It is the entry-level certification for individuals who want to pursue a career in networking and IT.

The CCNA certification validates an individual’s ability to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot medium-sized routed and switched networks. It also covers topics such as IP addressing, subnetting, network security, routing protocols, and WAN technologies.

To get the CCNA certification, you must pass two exams: ICND1 (Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices Part 1) and ICND2 (Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices Part 2). The total time required to complete both exams is about 10 hours.

You can register for the CCNA exams at Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers. The cost of each exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $125-$200 USD per exam.

In addition to passing the two exams, you must also have a valid Cisco ID before you can be certified as a CCNA. To obtain a Cisco ID you will need to create an account with Cisco Learning Network (CLN). This process is free of charge.

9. Oracle Database Administrator Certification (OCA)

Oracle Database Administrator Certification (OCA) is a professional certification program that validates the skills and knowledge of database administrators. It is designed to demonstrate expertise in the use of Oracle Database products and technologies.

The OCA certification requires candidates to pass two exams: 1Z0-071: Oracle Database 12c SQL, and 1Z0-062: Oracle Database 12c: Installation and Administration. Both exams are available online or at Pearson VUE testing centers.

It typically takes between 6 to 12 months to prepare for the OCA certification, depending on your level of experience with Oracle databases. You can prepare for the exams by taking courses offered by Oracle University or other third-party training providers, studying self-study materials, or attending boot camps.

The cost of the OCA certification varies depending on where you take the exam, but it typically ranges from $245-$395 USD per exam.

10. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is an internationally recognized professional certification for project managers. It is offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). The PMP certification demonstrates a professional’s experience and expertise in leading and directing projects, as well as their knowledge of the principles of project management.

In order to become certified, individuals must meet certain educational and professional requirements, pass an exam, and agree to adhere to a code of ethics. The PMP exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within four hours. To qualify for the exam, applicants must have either a secondary degree (high school diploma or equivalent) with at least five years of project management experience, or a four-year degree with at least three years of project management experience.

The cost to take the PMP exam varies depending on your country and region. In the United States, it typically costs around $555 for PMI members and $405 for non-members. Additionally, there are fees associated with applying for the certification which can range from $100-$500 depending on your country/region.

Overall, it usually takes between two to six months to prepare for the PMP exam depending on how much time you dedicate to studying each week. After passing the exam and meeting all other requirements, you will receive your official certification within four weeks or less.

Do You Really Need a Technology Teacher Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on a variety of factors. For some people, having a technology teacher certificate is an important part of their career path and can be essential for advancement in the field. For others, it may not be necessary or even desirable.

For those who are considering a career in technology education, having a technology teacher certificate can be beneficial. It shows that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to teach technology-related topics and can help you stand out when applying for positions. Additionally, many schools require teachers to have a certification in order to teach certain courses or grade levels. Having this certification can open up more opportunities for prospective teachers.

On the other hand, there are some circumstances where obtaining a technology teacher certificate may not be necessary. For example, if you are already teaching at an elementary school and only need basic computer skills, then getting certified may not be worth the time or expense. Additionally, if you plan to teach outside of the classroom (such as through online coursework) then having a certification may not be required either.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a technology teacher certificate will come down to your individual goals and situation. If you want to pursue a career in teaching technology-related topics or need to obtain certification for employment purposes then getting certified is likely worth it. However, if your current job does not require certification or if you don’t plan on pursuing teaching in the near future then it may not make sense for you to invest time and money into obtaining one.

Related: Technology Teacher Resume Examples

FAQs About Technology Teacher Certifications

1. What are technology teacher certifications?

Answer: Technology teacher certifications are qualifications that demonstrate a professional level of knowledge and proficiency in using educational technology to teach learners.

2. What is the process for obtaining a technology teacher certification?

Answer: The process for obtaining a technology teacher certification varies depending on the provider, but generally includes completing coursework or workshops, passing an exam, and/or demonstrating experience in teaching with educational technology.

3. How long does a technology teacher certification last?

Answer: The duration of a technology teacher certification depends on the provider and the type of certification. Generally, certifications range from one to three years before needing to be renewed or updated.

4. Are there any prerequisites for getting a technology teacher certification?

Answer: Most providers require applicants to have at least some prior experience with educational technology and/or teaching experience before they can obtain a certification.

5. Is there an age requirement for getting a technology teacher certification?

Answer: Generally speaking, no specific age requirement exists for obtaining a technology teacher certification; however, most providers do require applicants to be at least 18 years old when applying for the credential.