Micro-Credentials

Want support through your micro-credential journey?

Vermont-NEA is offering support to educators who would like to receive feedback on assignments prior to submission (the initial pass rate is around 50%, but people may resubmit assignments until meets the competency.) Contact Juliette Longchamp or schedule a meeting with her here if you would like some support during your micro-credential work. 

Process & Tips for Success

Select a skill you have developed or would like to develop, and download or view the micro-credential on nea.certificationbank.com. Read the micro-credential carefully to familiarize yourself with the resources, submission guidelines, and evaluation criteria. If you choose to print the micro-credential you may also want to view it digitally in order to access the clickable links in the research and resource sections.

Collect the required evidence demonstrating your competence in the selected area. For most micro-credentials, you will be required to collect evidence from real experiences in your classroom or worksite. Each micro-credential requires different kinds of work to demonstrate your mastery. For example you may need to write a lesson plan, videotape a meeting, or collect data to analyze. It typically takes about 10-15 hours to complete the requirements to earn a micro-credential.

Submit by uploading your evidence on nea.certificationbank.com. Once you click Start, you will see a place to upload each piece of evidence you have collected. It will take approximately two weeks for you to hear back from the reviewers.

You have six months from the time you click Start to complete your micro-credential. If your time runs out, you will need to click Start again and re-upload anything you already completed.

Share your achievement with others! After you have successfully earned the micro-credential, share it with your evaluator, post on social media and add to your resume. In some states, micro-credentials even count as continuing education units. You will need to check with your district or state to see if NEA micro-credentials are accepted. You can view all of your micro-credential badges on the My Showcase page.

Tips for success

Follow these tips to avoid the need for resubmission: 

• Choose your micro-credential wisely. 
• Study guidelines and scoring rubrics carefully. 
• Answer all prompts; provide required evidence. 
• Take advantage of your support system. 

If you don’t pass the first time, you can address the feedback you receive from the reviewers and resubmit as often as you need to. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much does it cost to apply for a micro-credential?

A: Micro-credentials are free to members. Non-members must pay a $75 fee to apply for a micro-credential. Stay tuned if you would like to receive college credit for a micro-credential. Vermont-NEA is working with Southern New Hampshire University and will add information when it is available. There will be a small credit fee for each MC, which can be used for salary advancement. 

Q: I’d like to study with a group. How can I find out if my local affiliate is actively organizing a learning community?

A: Contact Juliette Longchamp at [email protected], who will help coordinate a group. 

Q: What happens if I have a question about my micro-credential?

A: Click the Contact Us link in the footer of NEA Certification Bank. You will be able to submit a question, and it will be directed to either Technical Assistance or Content Support. You can also contact Juliette Longchamp at Vermont-NEA at [email protected].

Q: Will earning a micro-credential make me eligible for a promotion and/or raise?

A: In Vermont, you need to earn college credit in order to advance on the salary schedule, so you will need to apply for credit.  However, your micro-credentials will earn 15 PD hours for relicensure.  Send verification of completion to Juliette Longchamp at [email protected] to receive a certificate to upload on the online licensing site.  

Q: What happens if I can’t finish a micro-credential in the allowed amount of time?

A: After six months, your application will be reset. You will need to start over when you are ready to finish uploading your evidence. It is important that you save your work on your own computer or in an online storage space in case this happens.

Q: What happens if I don’t pass the micro-credential? Do I have to start over?

A: You will receive feedback from your peer reviewer and be invited to address the feedback and resubmit. You may submit as many times as you need in order to pass. The national first-time pass rate is about 50 percent, so you shouldn’t feel bad if you don’t pass the first time. It is a process and the feedback is meant to help you improve your practice.

Still have questions? Drop us a line at [email protected]