Each state in the United States, as well as each country, has its own set of requirements, as well as specific courses and tests that must be completed in order to obtain a library certification. A teaching certification in any subject is required in most US states, and it must be obtained through courses accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Another option is to get a bachelor’s degree in any subject and then enroll in an American Library Association (ALA)-approved master’s program. The requirements in the United Kingdom and Australia, for example, are similar: a bachelor’s degree in library science and an internship, or a bachelor’s degree in any subject plus a master’s degree in library science or a related field plus an internship.
Some states accept applications for librarian certification at this time, while others require additional requirements, such as teaching experience, before approval. In countries like the United Kingdom and Ireland, a certain number of years as an apprentice or intern is required. This is especially true if the candidate is applying for a school librarian position. Australia and Canada, for example, both require librarian membership. Prospective librarians in Australia must join the Australian Library and Information Association, while those in Canada must join the Canadian Library Association.
The American Library Association (ALA) created a new method of obtaining a librarian certification in 2006 for those with three or more years of librarian experience but no certification. The Certified Public Library Administrator is the title given to this position (CPLA). In some countries, completing a certain number of years as an apprentice qualifies a person for librarian certification.
Not all states require all members of staff to be certified librarians. Some states, such as Massachusetts, only require library directors to be certified, while others, such as Iowa, require a certain number of librarians to be certified in order to receive government funding. Most schools, on the other hand, prefer librarians who are certified and have taught before.
Given all of the differences, anyone interested in becoming a certified librarian in the United States should contact their state board of education or visit the ALA for state-by-state requirements. To become a librarian, a candidate must typically hold a teaching certificate in any subject and complete an ALA-accredited course. A test in library media is usually followed by this.