Louisiana Provisional Teacher Certificate

When Standard Certification Is Not in Place Yet

Louisiana issues several types of provisional and temporary teaching permits for candidates who do not yet hold a standard credential and are sponsored by a school district. These permits allow uncertified or partially certified individuals to serve as the teacher of record while working toward standard certification.

The critical thing to understand: you cannot request these permits yourself. They must be initiated by an employing school district. The district's HR department submits a signed affidavit to the LDOE verifying that a shortage exists and no regularly certified teacher is available for the position.

Temporary Authority to Teach (TAT)

The TAT is a one-year temporary certificate designed for candidates who hold a bachelor's degree but have not completed a teacher preparation program or passed the required Praxis exams.

Eligibility:

• Bachelor's degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.20
• If GPA falls below 2.20, the candidate may qualify by passing a formal interview conducted by the employing school system's leadership team
• Cannot have previously held a standard certificate or a TEP

Duration and Renewals: Valid for one year, renewable up to two times (maximum three years total). For each renewal, you must submit evidence of taking the required Praxis exams at least twice since the last issuance. This is a documentation requirement — you do not have to pass, but you must show you attempted.

Key restriction: A TAT is a last resort. Districts must document that no certified teacher is available before LDOE will issue one. Once you have held a standard certificate or TEP, you are no longer eligible for a TAT.

Temporary Employment Permit (TEP)

The TEP covers several specific scenarios where a candidate has completed some but not all certification requirements. BESE Bulletin 746 authorizes four TEP options:

Option 1 (Program Completer): You completed all coursework and clinical residency but have not passed the required Praxis exams. Your scores must fall within 10% of the passing score.

Option 2 (Content Graduate Degree): You hold a graduate degree in the subject you are hired to teach but have not completed a teacher preparation program. Pre-service training is required before you can serve as teacher of record.

Option 3 (Content Bachelor's Degree): You hold a content-specific bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.50 GPA but have not completed a preparation program.

Option 4 (GPA Shortfall): You completed an approved program but did not achieve the mandatory 2.50 exit GPA.

Duration and Renewals: Valid for one school year, renewable up to four times (maximum five years total). TEP holders must receive school-based mentoring from a certified mentor and earn satisfactory annual evaluations.

Federal restriction: TEPs cannot be issued for Special Education (SPED) certification areas. This is a compliance requirement under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Associate Teacher Program

Established by Act 99 of the 2023 Louisiana legislative session, this program allows school systems to hire individuals who do not hold a bachelor's degree as the teacher of record.

Eligibility:

• At least 25 years old
• Associate degree from an accredited institution
• Continuously enrolled in an undergraduate educator preparation program

Duration: Maximum five years. The permit is restricted to the content area aligned with the associate degree.

Restrictions: Associate teachers cannot teach students with identified exceptionalities (unless gifted/talented). They must be assigned a mentor teacher, participate in weekly teacher collaborations, and receive annual evaluations. Their salary is capped at 75% of the employing district's average classroom teacher salary.

The goal is a bridge — you work toward your bachelor's degree while teaching, and upon graduation you transition to a standard Level 1 certificate through the traditional pathway.

How These Differ from Practitioner Licenses

Practitioner Licenses (PL1, PL2, PL3) are issued to candidates who are actively enrolled in a BESE-approved alternative certification program. They are preparation-pathway credentials, not shortage-based emergency permits.

TATs and TEPs are employment-based permits requiring district sponsorship. The distinction matters because:

• Practitioner Licenses lead directly to Level 1 certification upon program completion
• TATs and TEPs are time-limited permits that require the holder to eventually complete a full certification pathway
• TEP holders can renew for up to five years, but the clock is ticking — after five years, the permit expires with no further extensions

The Real-World Sequence

If a school district wants to hire you and you do not yet have your Praxis scores or program enrollment:

1. The district HR department contacts LDOE to request a TAT or TEP on your behalf
2. HR submits the shortage affidavit and your supporting documentation through the LEC portal
3. LDOE issues the temporary permit (processing takes 10-20 business days)
4. You begin teaching as the teacher of record
5. You work toward standard certification (passing Praxis, enrolling in a program) while employed

The district cannot shortcut this process, and you cannot initiate it as an individual. If you are offered a teaching position contingent on getting a permit, make sure the district's HR team understands they must drive the LEC portal submission.

The Louisiana Teacher Certification Guide maps each permit type to specific candidate profiles so you can identify which credential applies to your situation before talking to district HR.

See more Louisiana guides →