What is the CETL® Certification Program?
CETL® stands for Certified Education Technology Leader and represents the highest standards of excellence in the education technology industry. The CETL® certification eligibility requirements, exam topics, and recertification requirements are based on The Framework of Essential Skills of the K-12 CTO—representing the competencies critical to today’s education technology leaders. The Framework, which was created and is kept up-to-date by two volunteer panels of education technology leaders, is divided into three primary areas:
- Leadership and Vision
- Understanding the Educational Environment
- Managing Technology and Support Resources
Is the Program Accredited?
The CETL is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
Who are CETL® candidates?
K-12 education technology leaders who are or aspire to become key members of their organizations’ leadership teams.
What are the skills and experiences of CETL® candidates?
Our candidates reflect the evolving role of CTOs in K-12 education; the responsibilities of the CIO or CTO have moved from being largely technical to being largely strategic, and CTOs must demonstrate skills in leadership and management, fiscal management, organization and culture, and business.
Education technology leaders come from diverse backgrounds, including instructional, technical, and the business sector. While each path fosters strengths, experience, and expertise to the role, it is rare that a CTO possesses the full range of knowledge and skills needed, as identified in the Framework, to help the district succeed and realize its mission and goals.
