Should I pursue a Credential or a Certificate?
A prospective driver education techer who currently holds or is working towards a degree (BS/BA, MA, etc.) would work towards a National Credential. A prospective driver education teacher with no degree would work towards a National Certificate. The requirements for either are the same. Once a person has completed all three required courses sponsored by ADTSEA and demonstrated one year of verifiable driver education teaching experience, a credential/certificate would be issued.
What are the requirements for the Credential/Certificate?
A prospective driver education teacher may enter the system in one of two tracks:
Track 1
Make application and pay a fee of $100.00
Become or maintain a professional membership in ADTSEA
Complete the required ADTSEA courses (tracked by ADTSEA)
Complete certificate issued from ADTSEA at the end of each course
Complete one year of verifiable teaching experience and submit documentation
National Credential/Certificate is issued by ADTSEA
Maintain the National Credential/Certificate on a 3-year basis by accruing points
Track 2
Make application and pay a fee of $50.00
Become or maintain a professional membership in ADTSEA
Complete the required ADTSEA courses
Submit transcripts of those courses and pay a fee of $100.00
Completion certificate issued from ADTSEA at the end of each approved course
Complete one year of verifiable teaching experience and submit documentation
National Credential/Certificate issued by ADTSEA
Maintain National Credential/Certificate on a 3-year basis by accruing points
How do I maintain the National Credential/Certificate?
The National Credential/Certificate will expire each successive third year after initial issuance. To maintain this Credential/Certificate, points must be accrued in each 3-year time frame. During this time frame, a teacher must accumulate a minimum of 25 points to continue his/her National Credential/Certificate. Points must be earned in the following ways:
Membership in ADTSEA or other national and/or state professional traffice safety associations - 2 points/year
Registration and participation in state and national professional organization conferences - 2 points/conference.
Successful completion of professional development workshops or courses (30 contact hours or 3 credits minimum) - 3 points/course or workshop.
Teaching driver education students - 1 point/30 hours of instruction completed in any phase (classroom, laboratory or on-street insturction) to a maximum of 12 points/3 years. Must teach at least a total of 30 hours in one or more phases in the 3-year period to maintain Credential/Certificate.
Teaching state or nationally approved driver improvement courses - 1 point/30 hours of instruction.
Publication of articles in professional journals - 2 points/article authored or co-authored.
Elected officer in state or national, professional traffic safety organization - 1 point/year.
Other professional development activities as approved on an individual basis by the ADTSEA office - 1 point/approval
Who manages the Credentialing/Certification System?
The National Driver Education Teaching Credential/Certificate System is managed by the American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association.
