Certified Paraeducator Course Schedule
Heartland AEA’s paraeducator certification course schedule is available. 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 encouraged that participants take Foundations (Course 1) before Courses 2 and 3.
Prerequisites
- Participants must be at least 18 years old.
- Participants must have a high school diploma or equivalent GED.
- Participants must have access to a computer/internet to take the courses.
- It is required that participants 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 them through the certification program.
BoEE 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/Summer
HL – Paraeducator Generalist Certification Program – Course I Introduction/Foundation
Choose one of the following sessions:
Session #51255
May 19, June 2 & 16, 2025
4:00-5:00 p.m.
Zoom + online coursework due June 29
OR
Session #51263
May 29, June 12 & 26, 2025
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Zoom + online coursework due July 6
HL – Paraeducator Generalist Certification Program – Course II Instructional Support
Choose one of the following sessions:
Session #51256
June 30 & July 28, 2025
4:00-5:00 p.m.
Zoom + online coursework due Aug. 3
OR
Session #51264
July 17 & Aug. 7, 2025
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Zoom + online coursework due Aug. 10
HL – Paraeducator Generalist Certification Program – Course III Behavioral Supports
Choose one of the following sessions:
Session #51257
Aug. 4 & 18, 2025
4:00-5:00 p.m.
Zoom + online coursework due Aug. 30
OR
Session #51266
Aug. 14 & 28, 2025
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Zoom + online coursework due Aug. 31
Login
When you arrive at the website, 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. This will bring up the course. 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 multiple 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 to register for the next course. Then follow these steps again to register for another course.
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.
You will receive a confirmation email after you register.
Questions?
Contact Professional Learning at (515) 473-6780 or profdev@heartlandaea.org.