Certified Paraeducator Course Schedule
Heartland AEA’s paraeducator certification course schedule is available below. There are three courses you must register for and complete to be able to apply for the Paraeducator Generalist Certificate through the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners. Each course is $120 for a total of $360. It is strongly recommended that participants complete Foundations (Course I) before taking Courses II and III. Each course has required Zoom sessions plus additional online coursework.
Prerequisites
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must have a high school diploma or equivalent GED
- Must have access to a computer/internet to take the courses
- Must be employed by an accredited Iowa school district as a practicing paraeducator, or work as a substitute paraeducator in an accredited Iowa school district or have a teacher and administrator who are willing to mentor you through the certification program.
Application Fees
The application and background check process through the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE) is online and will be started in Course III.
The application fee is currently $40, and the background check fee is $35 (+ a $3 convenience fee) payable to the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (fees subject to change by BOEE). Applicants will complete their background screenings through Iowa Fieldprint and pay a fee of $34.35 to them.
Courses
Spring Cohort
HL – Paraeducator Generalist Certification Program – Course II Instructional Support
Session #: 53860
Feb. 17 & March 10, 2026
4:00-5:00 p.m.
Zoom sessions + online coursework due March 24
HL – Paraeducator Generalist Certification Program – Course III Behavioral Supports
Session #: 53861
March 31 & April 14, 2026
4:00-5:00 p.m.
Zoom + online coursework due April 28
Summer Cohorts
HL – Paraeducator Generalist Certification Program – Course I Introduction/Foundation
Choose one of the following sessions:
Session #: 55852 will meet May 19, 26 & June 16, 2026, from 4:00-5:00 p.m. via Zoom + online coursework due June 23
OR
Session #: 55853 will meet June 2, 23 & 30, 2026, from 4:00-5:00 p.m. via Zoom + online coursework due July 7
HL – Paraeducator Generalist Certification Program – Course II Instructional Support
Choose one of the following sessions:
Session #: 55856 will meet June 30 & July 14, 2026, from 4:00-5:00 p.m. via Zoom + online coursework due July 28
OR
Session #: 55858 will meet July 7 & 28, 2026, from 4:00-5:00 p.m. via Zoom + online coursework due August 4
HL – Paraeducator Generalist Certification Program – Course III Behavioral Supports
Choose one of the following sessions:
Session #: 55854 will meet August 4 & 18, 2026, from 4:00-5:00 p.m. via Zoom + online coursework due September 1
OR
Session #: 55855 will meet August 11 & September 1, 2026, from 4:00-5:00 p.m. via Zoom + online coursework due September 8
Login
When you arrive at the website, please check to see if your name is listed under the Quick Links heading in the left column. If it is, you are already logged in. If not, click on the yellow Sign In button. Your AEA Login is the same email and password you use to log into the AEA Learning System (e.g., Mandatory Reporter, Bloodborne Pathogens). If you don’t have an account in the Learning System, you will need to click on the yellow Sign In button under the Quick Links heading in the left column and then click on “Need a profile? Sign Up” at the bottom of the login screen.
Registration
Once you have logged in and are on the Home screen, in the text box under Ready to Learn? You may search by topic, subject area, presenter name, etc., type the session number you want to register for and click Search. Scroll to the bottom and select Licensure Renewal (2 credit/30 instructor-led hours) – $120.00. At the top of the page, click the Register button. This will add the course to your Registration Cart.
If you want to register for all three courses at once, click the Home link on the left to take you back to the Home screen and type the next session number in the search field and follow the steps above. Once you have the desired courses in your Registration Cart, click Checkout at the bottom. Review the Cancellation and Refund Policy and select your payment method (credit card or purchase order issued by an Iowa school district). Complete the necessary payment information and select Complete Checkout.
Questions?
Contact Professional Learning at (515) 473-6780 or profdev@heartlandaea.org.