Delaware Emergency Certificate vs Certificate of Eligibility
What Is a Delaware Emergency Certificate?
An Emergency Certificate is a one-year temporary credential that a school district requests on behalf of an educator who has obtained employment or an offer of employment and holds a valid Delaware Initial, Continuing, or Advanced License, but lacks the necessary skills and knowledge to immediately meet certification requirements in a specific content area.
The district initiates the Emergency Certificate through DEEDS, not the individual teacher. This happens most often during staffing shortages when a middle school math teacher, for example, is asked to cover a science class. The certificate is valid for one school year and can be renewed if progress toward certification is being made.
What Is a Certificate of Eligibility?
A Certificate of Eligibility (COE) serves an entirely different population. It is issued to an educator who is participating in a state-approved alternative route to licensure and certification program for teachers of students with disabilities and holds a valid Delaware Initial, Continuing, or Advanced License. The employing district or charter school requests the COE.
COE programs support educators pursuing special education certification through an alternative route. Participants may serve as teachers of record while completing the program's coursework, assessments, and mentoring requirements. The DDOE allows up to three school years to complete COE program requirements; no extension may be granted beyond three school years.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Emergency Certificate | Certificate of Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Who initiates it | School district / employing authority | Employing district or charter school |
| Prerequisite | Valid Delaware license + employment or offer + gap in specific content requirements | Valid Delaware Initial, Continuing, or Advanced License + approved alternative route for teachers of students with disabilities |
| Purpose | Complete certification in a specific content area | Complete an approved alternative route toward a special education Standard Certificate |
| Duration | One school year | Up to three school years |
| Renewals | May be renewed if progress toward certification is being made | No extension beyond three school years |
| Fee | See current DDOE fee schedule | See current DDOE fee schedule |
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Which One Applies to You?
If you are already a licensed Delaware teacher and your principal asks you to teach a class outside your certified area, the Emergency Certificate is what your district will request through DEEDS on your behalf. Follow the district's instructions for the application and the requirements for full certification in that subject.
If you are pursuing an approved alternative route for special education and hold a valid Delaware license, ask your employing district or charter school about requesting a COE through DEEDS.
Both credentials are temporary by design. Neither should be confused with a substitute teaching permit, which is a separate category under HB 97's permitting rules. For a complete walkthrough of every credential type and the steps to reach a permanent Delaware teaching license, the Delaware Teacher Certification Guide maps each pathway from start to finish.
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