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
Fall Cohort
HL – Paraeducator Generalist Certification Program – Course I Introduction/Foundation
Session #: 53856
Sept. 30, Oct. 7 & 21, 2025
4:00-5:00 p.m.
Zoom + online coursework due Oct. 28
HL – Paraeducator Generalist Certification Program – Course II Instructional Support
Session #: 53858
Nov. 4 & 18, 2025
4:00-5:00 p.m.
Zoom + online coursework due Nov. 30
HL – Paraeducator Generalist Certification Program – Course III Behavioral Supports
Session #: 53859
December 2 & 16, 2025
4:00-5:00 p.m.
Zoom + online coursework due Jan. 2, 2026
Spring Cohort
HL – Paraeducator Generalist Certification Program – Course I Introduction/Foundation
Session #: 53857
Jan. 6, 13 & 27, 2026
4:00-5:00 p.m.
Zoom + online coursework due Feb. 10
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
There will be two cohorts scheduled for Summer 2026. Registration will open later.
Cohort 1: May 19 – Sept. 1, 2026
Cohort 2: May 26 – Sept. 8, 2026
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.