LDOE reports faster certification processing, credits credentialing team for avoiding backlog

Dr. Jay opened the session and reported improvements in the Department of Education’s teacher certification operations: in April the office processed nearly 3,000 applications with an average processing time of about nine business days, answered 3,353 questions (typically in less than one business day), and the credentialing team cleared 1,343 educators within two business days.

Dr. Jay credited the credentialing team, singling out Paula Bell for what he described as careful work that kept certification flowing after a recently implemented legislative mandate requiring credentials before certification. “Because of the diligence and just the efficiency of Ms. Bell and her team, we have not seen any backup,” Dr. Jay said.

Paula Bell, a member of the Department’s credentialing team, framed the improvements as the result of sustained staff effort during the year’s peak season and urged HR offices and preparation providers to use available portal tools and support resources to avoid avoidable delays.

Why it matters: shorter processing times and rapid credential clearance reduce hiring friction for school systems and ease the on-ramp for educators entering or returning to classrooms during a busy staffing season. The department stressed that some delays still occur when certification requests depend on evaluations that have not yet been finalized.

What’s next: staff said they will continue to monitor processing times and encouraged attendees to route questions through the meeting’s Q&A channel to ensure consistent answers. The office also flagged upcoming calls with extended mentoring content that may help providers with placement and waiver timelines.