CUSTOMER SERVICE GUIDELINES

• Applications and general information may be obtained during office hours.
• Individuals may deliver applications and/or supporting documentation to the office during working hours.
• All applications for certification are processed in the order in which they are received to ensure equity to all individuals applying for certification.
• Response time to most applications, once all required documentation had been received, is generally 4-6 weeks, but may be double this during the peak months of May through September.
• All applications delivered by hand are treated in the same manner as those received by mail: each document received is first date stamped, entered into the computer system and scanned into a file prior to review by a certification consultant.
• Certification consultants are not available for individual consultations, nor are they able to immediately evaluate hand delivered documents.
• Due to accounting requirements, the Bureau of Educator Standards and Certification cannot provide a printed certificate on the same day in which materials are hand delivered. Since all credentials must be reviewed by a certification consultant, the receptionist is unable to provide applicants with verification of certification status.

• On-line: www.ct.gov/sde/cert
  Applicants may obtain up to the minute information on application and certification status on-line once they have created an account on the Connecticut Educator Certification System (CECS);
• Interactive 24-hour automated phone system: 860-713-6969;
• Public information line for general questions: 860-713-6969;
  Available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (excluding holidays) noon to 4pm;
• Fax: (860) 713-7017; or
• E-mail: teacher.cert@ct.gov.
  
  NOTE: Response to e-mail or fax may take up to two weeks, depending on the volume of requests received.