Students from all 50 states have successfully completed TeacherStep courses. However, each school, district, and state has its own set of rules about licensure and re-certification, so please seek approval prior to registering for a course to verify acceptance. 

Recertification By State

Information presented here is updated as a helpful reference. Please check your State’s Department of Education website before enrolling.

Alabama 
Renewal Period: Five-year renewal certificate

Three full years of full-time professional educational work experience and 50 clock hours of allowable professional development. Professional development activities must be consistent with the Alabama Standards for Professional Development and based on the individual’s professional growth needs as identified through performance evaluations, if employed; or related to professional education.

Alaska
Renewal Period: Five-year renewal certificate

Six semester or nine quarter hours of credit earned from a regionally accredited university are required for renewal or reinstatement of a regular five-year certificate. Credits earned after the effective date of the certificate being renewed count toward recency credit(s). Three semester hours of credit may be continuing education units and/or with prior EED approval, non-academic credit. At least three semester hours must be upper division or graduate level credit.

Arizona
Renewal Period: Six-year renewal certificate

180 clock hours of professional development activities or 12 semester hours of education coursework posted on official transcripts or a combination of the two, completed during the valid period of the certificate.

Arkansas 
Renewal Period: Five-year renewal certificate

Beginning in the 2015–16 school year, educators are required to obtain a minimum of 36 hours of professional development for licensure renewal and contractual agreement. Required professional development for license renewal is based on the Rules Governing Professional Development and Standards for Professional Learning (LearningForward.org) as approved by the state Board of Education.

California 
Renewal Period: Five-year renewal certificate
To renew this credential, the holder needs to submit only an application and fee to the Commission prior to the expiration date. The renewal period is five years.

Colorado 
Renewal Period: Initial certificate for three years; professional certificate for five years.

To move from an initial special services provider licenses to professional: Complete a Colorado State Board of Education-approved induction program.
Renewal of professional licenses: Completion of six semester hours or 90 clock hours of renewal credit. 

Connecticut
Renewal Period: Initial certificate: three years, provisional certificate: eight years, professional certificate: five years

For each certification there are additional requirements. If you are renewing a certificate, you may submit an application within six months of the expiration of your current certificate. It is recommended that you apply at least four-six weeks prior to the expiration date to allow time for processing of the application. If you are advancing your certificate to a higher level, you may apply as soon as you meet the criteria for the higher certificate.

Delaware 
Renewal Period: Five-year renewal certificate

In accordance with 14 Del.C. §1212, the department shall renew a continuing license, valid for an additional five years, to an educator who has fulfilled the 90 clock hour requirement for professional development. At least one half of the required hours (45 hours every five years) for educators must be in activities that relate to the educator’s work with students or staff. Satisfactory evidence of such completion, as set forth in Section 5.1, shall be submitted to the department with the application for renewal. The 90 clock hours of professional development must have taken place during the term of the continuing license.

Florida 
Renewal Period: Five-year renewal certificate

Six semester hours of college credit to include at least one semester hour in teaching students with disabilities must be earned during each renewal period to renew your certificate. Renewal requirements must be completed during the last validity period of the professional certificate and prior to expiration of the professional certificate. It is the responsibility of each applicant to obtain current information regarding renewal requirements from the employing school district or Bureau of Educator Certification. • The application form and appropriate fee must be submitted during the last year of the validity period of the certificate and prior to the expiration of the professional certificate. However, a late renewal application may be submitted after expiration of the professional certificate if the following criteria are met: (1) Appropriate renewal requirements, including the requirement for credit in teaching students with disabilities, are completed prior to expiration of the professional certificate, and (2) renewal application form, application fee and additional $30 late fee are submitted to the Bureau of Educator Certification prior to July 1 of the year following expiration of the certificate. College level credits used for certificate renewal must be awarded by an accredited or approved institution or the American Council on Education and must be reflected on an official transcript. College level credit for CLEP, DANTES Subject Standardized Test, Excelsior, other examination, life experience or other method must be reflected on an official transcript from an accredited or approved institution or the American Council on Education. College remedial credit is not acceptable. A grade of at least “C” must be earned in each college course used for renewal. A grade of “pass” or “satisfactory” is an acceptable grade. In the event a subject is deleted from the certificate at the request of the certificate holder or due to noncompletion of renewal requirements, all requirements in effect when an application is submitted to add the subject to the certificate again must be completed.

Georgia 
Renewal Period: Five-year renewal certificate

To renew a certificate, applicants must: (1) Have the employing Georgia LUA request the renewal if the applicant has less than one year of acceptable educator experience in a Georgia LUA. (2) Fulfill one of the following: (a) complete renewal requirements outlined in GaPSC Rule 505-2-.36 RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS, (b) hold a valid National Certified School Counselor (NCSC) credential issued by the National Board of Certified Counselors or (3) hold a valid state of Georgia professional counselor’s license issued by the Professional Licensing Boards Division of the Office of the Secretary of State.

Hawaii
Renewal Period: Five-year renewal certificate

All options selected must relate to licensure goals and standards contained in your approved Professional Growth Plan and meet the criteria listed below. You must submit verification and/or documentation for each option completed. You must have a minimum of 60 total points to be eligible for license renewal. NBPTS Certification: Completion of process = 60 points; achieving certification = 60 points; Curriculum Development: 15 points for individual course; 25 points for school-wide program; 35 for statewide curriculum Professional Programs/Committees; Five points for individual class impact; 10 points for school impact; 15 points for statewide impact per assignment; College Credit: one semester hour=Five points.

Idaho
Renewal Period: Five-year renewal certificate

Total of at least six semester (nine quarter) credits completed during the five year validity period of one’s credential. Classes in any subject area, taken at freshman level (100 level) or above from a properly accredited institution for semester or quarter credit hours will be accepted. To be properly accredited, an institution must be accredited by an agency recognized by the American Council on Education. Up to three of the six credits may be earned through professional development activities that do not earn university credit. The professional development activities must be approved on an inservice form signed by an Idaho school administrator. Idaho Technology Competency – An original certificate of completion, a notarized copy of the certificate, or an official letter of completion from a State Board of Education-approved provider of an Idaho technology competency assessment. The Idaho technology competency is required for renewal only if the applicant is working in an Idaho K-12 school at renewal time.

Illinois
Renewal Period: Five-year renewal certificate, 10-year renewal master certificate

Educators may use one of the following or a combination of college coursework and CEUs/CPDUs to qualify for renewal of their certificates:

  • Complete an advanced degree or meet Illinois criteria for becoming highly qualified in another teaching area or complete National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification process, or
  • Earn eight semester hours of college coursework in education-related program, or
  • Earn subsequent Illinois certificate or endorsement or complete four semester hours of graduate coursework in Assessment of Teaching Performance or NBPTS preparation or earn CEUs/CPDUs. For Educators who choose to use the CEU/CPDU option, the law states that the requirement for continuing professional development may be met by Earning 24 continuing education units (CEUs) or earning 120 continuing professional development units (CPDUs) or completing any combination of CEUs and CPDUs equivalent to 120 CPDUs. Regular education teachers using CPDUs/CEUs for all or part of their professional development must have 20 percent pertaining to serving students in the least restrictive environment.

Indiana 
Renewal Period: Two-, five- or 10-year renewal certificate

Initial Practitioner License: Two-year license. To convert to a five-year license, the applicant must have two years of school counseling experience and can complete the Indiana Mentor and Assessment Program or complete a professional growth plan, earning 40 points in the two-year period. More info.

Five-Year License: A school services professional must have a minimum of 90 total professional growth plan points to be eligible for the five-year license renewal. Points can be earned through coursework and/or professional development experiences.

10-Year License: To obtain a 10-year renewal, one must have proof of the following: master’s degree or higher that substantially applies as determined by the department to the content area or evidence of National Board Certification; two years of experience as a school counselor in an accredited school and must have held a proficient practitioner license for five years. More info.

Iowa 

Two years of experience but no continuing education credits are required to change an initial license to a standard license; Six credits every five years are required to renew the educational or standard license; four credits every five years are required to renew the masters license. To convert a standard license to a masters license one needs to earn six renewal credits, have a master’s degree, and have five years of experience. Credits can be earned in the following ways:

  • Credit(s) completed which may not lead to a degree but which add greater depth/breadth to present endorsement held;
  • Credit(s) completed which leads toward the completion of a planned master’s, specialist’s, or doctor’s degree program in an endorsement area;
  • Credit(s) completed which may not leads to a degree but which leads to completion of requirements for an endorsement not currently held;
  • Credit(s) completed through Iowa staff development courses or activities approved through guidelines established by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners, in other words, AEA staff development or approved LEA staff development courses; four credits may be earned for achievement of National Board Certification. Please send a copy of the certificate to the Board of Educational Examiners.

Kansas
Renewal Period: Five-year renewal certificate

Six semester hours of additional recent college credit from a regionally accredited college or university within the six-year period prior to application for renewal or completion of 120 additional Kansas inservice/professional development points or its equivalent in hours and points or verification of three years of accredited experience during the validity of the most recent five-year Kansas certificate and within the six-year period prior to the application for renewal. This type of experience renewal may be used only twice in the applicant’s career and is only available for advanced degrees earned prior to July 1, 2003.

Kentucky
Renewal Period: Five-year renewal certificate

Provisional : An official transcript showing at least nine semester hours of additional graduate credit in the areas of counseling or guidance counseling.

Standard:
Completion of 12 Effective Instructional Leadership Act (EILA) hours as specified by the Kentucky Department of Education in KRS 156.101. (It is the responsibility to provide documentation of this training to the district superintendent, who recommends renewal on the TC-2.)

Louisiana
Renewal Period: Five-year renewal certificate

Teachers must complete 150 clock hours of professional development over a five-year time period in order to have a Level 2 or Level 3 Professional License renewed. No professional development is needed for Level 1 license but this can only be renewed once for three years.

Maine
Renewal Period: Five-year renewal certificate

For a five-year professional certificate it is 6]six credits of approved study related to your certification area(s) or another certification area taken during the lifetime of your certificate and not used for the prior renewal. These can be CEUs issued by the professional development center’s of a college, can be from a regular four-year college or a community college, or can be clock hours of professional development training (workshops/conferences, etc). The professional development may not be adult ed. courses. One renewal credit = one semester hour = 1.5 CEUs = 15 clock hours of professional development training If the person is employed in a Maine school unit with an approved certification support system, they must renew through that support system and have prior approval for all renewal credits.

Maryland 
Renewal Period: Five-year renewal certificate

Official transcripts for six semester hours of acceptable credit and renewed only at the request of a local school superintendent for an applicant whose service was interrupted during the validity period of the certificate preventing the applicant from meeting the experience requirement.

Massachusetts
Renewal Period: Five-year renewal certificate

Educators must align their individual professional development plans with school and/or district improvement goals and obtain supervisor approval indicating that 80 percent of the professional development points are consistent with the educational goals of the school and/or district. Earn a minimum of 10 hours in a topic and seek their supervisor’s endorsement of their completed professional development plan prior to applying for recertification. 150 professional development points are required to renew with a minimum of 15 professional development points in ESL, sheltered English Immersion or bilingual education and 15 professional development points in special education or diverse learning styles.

Michigan 
When you receive your Provisional Teaching Certificate in Michigan, it is valid for six years. During that time, you are expected to complete the following requirements to become qualified for your Professional Education Certificate:

  • Complete the New Teacher Induction/Teacher Mentoring program, which is a cooperative between your school district and the Michigan Department of Education
  • Complete 18 semester hours at a Michigan college/university teacher preparation program beyond the highest degree you have (i.e., if you have a bachelor’s degree, beyond the bachelor’s level; if you have a master’s degree, beyond the master’s level)
    • If you complete these credits at a school outside of Michigan, it must be at the master’s level at a regionally accredited school that offers teacher preparation programs
  • Have at least three years of teaching experience under your Provisional Teaching Certificate
  • Meet the state’s reading requirements
    • If you are certified in elementary education: 6 semester hours of teaching reading or reading methods
    • If you are certified in secondary education: 3 semester hours of teaching reading or reading methods
  • Complete three semester hours of reading diagnostics and remediation, including a field experience
    • If you complete this course out-of-state, you must have a Reading Diagnostics Course Certification form signed by that college/university

Apply for your Professional Education Certificate via the Michigan Online Education Certification System (MOECS). Once you receive the Professional Education Certificate, it is valid for five years. To renew this certificate, you must fulfill the following qualifications:

(Credits must have been completed within the five years preceding renewal)

You may apply for renewal of your Professional Education Certificate anytime within the calendar year that your certificate expires using the Michigan Online Education Certification System (MOECS).

Minnesota 
Renewal Period: Five-year renewal certificate

MN Rule 8710.7200 defines the specific clock hour requirements for the renewal of all professional licenses. In summary, 125 approved clock hours are required for the renewal of a teaching license. (Additionally, statute requires specific content to be included, see below.) Clock hours must be earned in the five-year period preceding the renewal application and be from two or more of the categories identified in the rule. See subpart 3 of the following rule for specific categories. Professional development activities count toward clock hour requirements at the rate of one clock hour per one hour of actual participation in planned professional development activity. College course work counts toward clock hours. One quarter credit equals 16 clock hours and one semester credit equals 24 clock hour credits. Exception for National Board Certification: See subpart 5 of rule, which will explain how National Board Certification can apply to this clock hour requirement.

Mississippi
Five-year renewal certificate

Three semester hours in content or job/skill related area or five continuing education units in content or job/skill related area or completion of the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) process for National Certified School Counselor (NCSC).

Missouri 
Renewal Period: Initial certification is valid for four years from the date of issuance. Career student services certificate is valid for 99 years.

Initial Certification:  During the four years that you hold this classification, you need to complete the following requirements before you can upgrade to a career student services certificate: (1) Complete four years of Department of Elementary and Secondary Education-approved student services experience, (2) participate in a district-provided mentoring program for two years, (3) successfully complete 40 contact hours of professional development., which may include college credits (one semester hour equals 15 contact hours of professional development), (4) successfully participate in your employing school’s annual performance-based student services evaluation process.

Montana
Renewal Period: Five-year renewal certificate

60 OPI renewal units or any combination of OPI renewal units and graduate level credits equaling 60 OPI renewal units. One semester credit = 15 OPI renewal units; one quarter credit = 10 OPI renewal units; one hour of attendance at a workshop = one OPI renewal unit

Nebraska
Click here for more info.

Nevada
Renewal Period: Five year renewal certificate

To renew standard or professional educator license, submit evidence of completion of six continuing education or professional development credits. Credits may be earned from any accredited postsecondary institution or from any approved continuing education provider. These credits must have been earned after the date your most recent license was issued and before its expiration date. Pursuant to NAC 391.075

New Hampshire
Renewal Period: Three-year renewal certificate
An accumulation of a minimum of 75 continuing education units documenting job-embedded or formal professional development addressing school or district improvement goal(s) and content areas or a combination of less than 75 continuing education units and evidence that together document job-embedded or formal professional development addressing the school or district improvement goal(s) and content areas. A minimum of 30 hours of the total hours required shall be devoted to approved professional development activity in each subject area and/or field of specialization, which shall include the knowledge requirements of Ed 512.02(g)(1) for which re-certification is sought

New Jersey 
20 clock hours of state-approved professional development required each year.

New Mexico
Renewal Period: Five-year renewal certificate; no information available

New York
Renewal Period: Five-year renewal provisional certificate, lifetime permanent certificate

Provisional: All applicants for certification must complete two clock hours of coursework or training in the identification and reporting of suspected child abuse and maltreatment, as required by Sections 3003(4) and 3004 of the Education Law. This training is available only from a provider approved by the New York State Education Department. Upon completion of the workshop, the provider will give you a Certification of Completion. This document should be attached to your application. (Photocopies are acceptable). All applicants for a certificate on or after Feb. 2, 2001, must complete two clock hours of coursework or training in school violence prevention and intervention, as required by section 3004 of the Education Law. Training in school violence prevention and intervention is available through registered teacher education programs at New York State colleges and universities, eight Coordinated School Health Network Centers (via certain BOCES), and other service providers approved by the State Education Department. Permanent: No continuing education requirement.

North Carolina 
Renewal Period: Five-year renewal provisional certificate

License holders must renew their licenses at the end of each five-year period. School counselors must complete 80 hours (8.0 credits) during each five-year renewal cycle that meet the following requirements: a) three renewal credits that align with the expectations of the North Carolina professional standards for school counseling, b) two renewal credits addressing the Digital Learning Competencies, c) three general credits (not to include years of experience) at the discretion of the employing local education agency (LEA). LEAs reserve the right to assign literacy requirements for any educator. A unit of credit shall be equal to one quarter hour or two-thirds of a semester hour of Institutes of Higher Education credit or 10 clock hours of professional development.

North Dakota
Renewal Period: Five-year renewal certificate

All school counselor credentials are renewed by submitting a copy of official transcripts documenting the completion of four semester hours of graduate coursework in education, of which two semester hours must be in the area of counseling. These two semester hours of required counseling coursework may be replaced by 30 clock hours of continuing education in counseling with a signed verification of attendance or participation by the conference or workshop sponsor, the employer or a school district business manager. The number of semester hours needed for renewal will be calculated on a one semester hour per year basis.

Ohio
Renewal Period: Two- or five-year renewal certificates

Holders of eight-year certificates issued before Sept. 1, 1998, who wish to transition to a five-year license must complete six semester hours of coursework or the equivalent as approved by the LPDC. Holders of a two-year provisional license who have not met the requirements for transition to the five-year professional license must complete three semester hours of coursework to renew that license. Holders of a five-year license must complete the equivalent of six semester hours of coursework for renewal. Each educator is responsible for the design of an individual professional development plan (IPDP) based on the needs of the educator, the students, the school and the school district, subject to approval of the LPDC. In accordance with the approved plan, the educator must complete six semester hours of coursework related to classroom teaching and/or the area of licensure; or 18 continuing education units (CEUs) (180 contact hours) or other equivalent activities related to classroom teaching ad/or the area of licensure as approved by the LPDC of the employing school, district or agency since the issuance of the license to be renewed. Coursework, CEUs or other equivalent activities may be combined.

Oklahoma 
New updates. Click here for info.

Oregon 
Renewal Period: Three- and five-year renewal certificates

Educators will choose a continuing professional development option in which at least one domain of professional competency is addressed. A completed five-year plan for renewal of a standard or continuing license consists of at least 125 professional development units. A completed three-year plan for renewal of a basic license consists of a minimum of 75 professional development units. A plan may be segmented into a series of one-year plans to permit the educator and the district to annually review and update the plan. Once the plan is developed, it may be amended to reflect changes in an educator’s assignments or goals. It will be the educator’s responsibility to provide documentation to the supervisor or continuing professional development advisor that the plan is completed and that the educator has analyzed the results and applied what has been done to enhance student learning.

Pennsylvania
Renewal Period: Five-year renewal certificate

Act 48-1999 requires all education professionals to acquire 6 credits/180 hours/a combination of professional development hours/credits equivalent to 180 hours every 5 years to maintain an active certificate.

Rhode Island 
Renewal Period: Three years for the initial educator certificate, five years for the professional certificate and seven years for the advanced educator certificate

Initial Educator Certificate: (1) If the applicant was employed for three years, received three ratings on the state-approved local educator evaluation system and demonstrated successful practice by providing evidence of three ratings of “effective” or higher on the state-approved local educator evaluation system, the initial educator certificate will be renewed as a five-year professional educator certificate. (2) If the applicant demonstrated successful practice by providing evidence of at least one rating of “developing” or higher on the state-approved local educator evaluation system, the initial educator certificate will be renewed as a five-year professional educator certificate with the submission of proof of completion of specified professional development based on their evaluation results for each “developing” or “ineffective” rating received on the state-approved local educator evaluation system. (3) If the applicant was employed for at least one year but not three years, one year certification extensions will be granted until the applicant can provide three ratings from the state-approved local evaluation system. (4) If the applicant was not employed in a publicly funded educational setting that uses a state-approved local educator evaluation system during the three years the certificate will be renewed as a three-year initial educator certificate.

Professional Educator Certificate: (1) If the applicant was employed for five years, received five ratings on the state-approved local educator evaluation system and demonstrated successful practice by providing evidence of five ratings of “effective” or higher on the state-approved local educator evaluation system, the professional educator certificate will be renewed for five years. (2) If the applicant was employed for five years, received five ratings on the state-approved local educator and demonstrated highly effective practice by providing evidence of at least four ratings of “highly effective” on the state-approved local educator evaluation with no rating below “effective,” the certificate will be renewed as a seven-year advanced educator certificate. (3) If the applicant was employed for five years, received five ratings on the state-approved local educator evaluation system and demonstrated successful practice by providing evidence of at least one rating of “developing” or higher on the state-approved local educator evaluation system, the certificate will be renewed as a five-year professional educator certificate with the submission of specified professional development based on their evaluation results for each “developing” or “ineffective” rating received on the state approved local educator evaluation system. (4) If the applicant was employed for at least one year but not five years, one-year certification extensions will be granted until the applicant can provide five ratings from the state-approved local evaluation system. (5) If the applicant was not employed in a publicly funded educational setting that uses a state-approved local educator evaluation system during the five years, the certificate will be renewed as a five-year professional educator certificate.

Advanced Educator Certificate: (1) If the applicant was employed for seven years, received seven ratings on the state-approved local educator evaluation system and demonstrated highly effective practice by providing evidence of at least five ratings of “highly effective” with no rating of “ineffective” and no more than one rating of “developing” on the state-approved local educator evaluation system, the certificate will be renewed as a seven-year advanced educator certificate. (2) If the applicant was employed for seven years, received seven ratings on the state-approved local educator evaluation system and demonstrated successful practice by providing evidence of at least seven ratings of “effective” or higher on the state-approved local educator evaluation system, the certificate will be renewed as a five-year professional educator certificate. (3) If the applicant was employed for seven years, received seven ratings on the state-approved local educator evaluation system and demonstrated successful practice by providing evidence of at least one rating of “developing” or higher on the state-approved local educator evaluation system, the certificate will be renewed as a five-year professional educator certificate with the submission of specified professional development based on their evaluation results for each “developing” or “ineffective” rating received on the state approved local educator evaluation system. (4) If the applicant was employed for at least one year but not seven years, one-year certification extensions will be granted until the applicant can provide seven ratings from the state-approved local evaluation system. (2) If the applicant was not employed in a publicly funded educational setting that uses a state-approved local educator evaluation system during the seven years the certificate will be renewed as a five-year professional educator certificate.

South Carolina 
Renewal Period: Five-year renewal certificate

A South Carolina educator’s professional certificate is valid for five years and expires on June 30 of the expiration year. To be eligible for certificate renewal, the educator must earn a minimum of 120 renewal credits, as described in the renewal credit matrix, during the five-year validity period of the certificate.

South Dakota 
Renewal Period: Five-year renewal certificate

Minimum of one clock hour of suicide awareness and prevention training; adhere to the South Dakota Code of Professional Ethics for Teachers and either: (1) complete National Board of School Counselors or recertification during the previous five years, or (2) any combination of six education-related transcripted credits, specialized learning experience hours or continuing education contact hours (15 contact hours is the equivalent to one credit; 90 contact hours is the equivalent to six credits).

Tennessee
Renewal Period: 10-year renewal certificate

The Professional School Service Personnel License is issued for a 10-year period and may be renewed by meeting the requirements for a Professional Teacher License. A Professional Teacher License must be renewed every 10 years. All educators holding a Professional Teacher License based on a bachelors degree must earn 90 renewal points. All educators holding a Professional Teacher License based on a masters degree or higher who have not accrued five years of acceptable experience during the 10-year validity period of the license are also required to earn 90 renewal points. However, if the holder of a Professional Teacher License has a masters degree or higher and has accrued five years of acceptable experience during the 10-year validity period of the license, no renewal points will be required, only verification of that experience. Renewal points may be earned in a variety of ways. For example: An educator may choose to earn coursework (one semester hou r= 15 points ), CEUs (one CEU = 10 points), or participate in pre-approved professional development activities (Participant: one hour = one point or leader/rresenter: one hour = 3 points, if new presentation). Activities cannot be part of the state funded inservice days and cannot be conducted during days and/or hours for which educators are already being paid by local education agencies.

Texas
Five-year renewal certificate

Holders of the Standard School Counselor Certificate must complete 200 clock hours of continuing professional education every five years. Counselors are encouraged to complete a minimum of 40 clock hours of CPE each year of the renewal period. One semester hour of credit earned at an accredited institution of higher education is equivalent to 15 CPE clock hours. Note: Only those professional education activities from approved registered providers will be accepted for renewal purposes. Types of acceptable Continuing Professional Education (CPE) activities include: Participation in institutes, workshops, seminars, conferences, inservice or staff development that are related to or enhance the professional knowledge and skills of the educator; completion of undergraduate courses in the content area knowledge and skills related to the certificate being renewed; graduate courses or training programs taken through an accredited institution of higher education; participation in interactive distance learning, video conferencing or online activities or conferences; independent study, not to exceed 20 percent of the required clock hours, which may include self-study of relevant professional materials (books, journals, periodicals, video/audio tapes, computer software and online information) or authoring a published work; development of curriculum or CPE training materials; serving as an assessor (does not include the required annual evaluation of the principal) for the principal assessment process [TAC 241.35], not to exceed 10 percent of the required clock hours; teaching or presenting a CPE activity, not to exceed 10 percent of the required clock hours; and/or providing professional guidance as a mentor educator, not to exceed 30 percent of the required clock hours.

Utah
Renewal Period: Level 1 licenses: three years, Level 2 licenses: five years or Level 3 licenses: seven years

Active educators must create a professional growth plan as part of their educator evaluation with their administrative supervisor. The professional learning plan is a component of this overall professional growth plan. For most educators, the administrative supervisor will be the principal or vice principal responsible for the annual evaluation of the educator. Active educators are required to review and revise the plan with their administrative supervisor annually. Active educators are required to have their current administrative supervisor sign their professional learning plan and the final license renewal form. Requirements are:

  1. Earn professional learning points based on license level. Level 1 requires at least 100 points, Level 2/3 requires at least 200 points.
  2. Complete two hours of youth suicide prevention training within the license cycle through an educator’s employing local education agency.
  3. Have a cleared USBE background fingerprint check and ethics review.
  4. Complete an appropriate renewal form based on license level
  5. Meet with a licensed administrator for signatures and approval of the renewal form 6. Renew license. Level 1 must mail a completed renewal form to USBE at the address as formatted on the application. Level 2/3 must renew online at Educator Licensing Online. Choose the appropriate option depending on if your license is current or expired. Step by step instructions.

Vermont
Renewal Period: Five- and seven-year renewal certificates

To renew a Level I license, you are required to document three professional development credits/endorsement. All three credits must apply directly to the performance and knowledge standards of your endorsement. To renew a level II license, you are required to submit an individual professional development plan and document nine professional development credits/endorsement. Three of those credits need to apply directly to the performance and knowledge standards of your endorsement. The remaining six must fall within the Five Standards for Vermont Educators.

Virginia
Renewal Period: Five-year renewal certificate

Each license holder is required to document the accrual of 180 professional development points during a five-year validity period. Points for renewal will be based upon activities drawn from the following 10 options: College credits (180 maximum), professional conference (45), peer observation (45), educational travel (45), curriculum development (90), publication of article (90), publication of books (90), mentorship/supervision (90), education project (90), professional development (180)

Washington
New information available. More info.

West Virginia
Renewal Period: Three years, then five years, then a permanent certificate may be obtained after set requirements are met.

The initial certificate is issued for three years, and after two years of verified experience with a minimum of one year full-time in a West Virginia district, an individual can apply for a five-year student support certificate with the requirements of six hours of coursework (or e-learning), a master’s degree +30 or age of 60. After five years of verified experience, with a minimum of one year full-time under contract in a West Virginia district, you may apply for a permanent student support certificate.

Wisconsin
School counselors are required to obtain continuing education credits as required by other pupil services professionals, school teachers and administrators. Renewal of a regular five-year license is contingent upon the completion of a continuing professional growth requirement of six semester credits, 180 equivalency clock hours or a combination of the two. Undergraduate or graduate level courses taken at accredited baccalaureate- or graduate-degree-granting colleges or universities are acceptable for the renewal of the five-year license. Wisconsin Technical College System Schools are not baccalaureate-degree-granting institutions; therefore, credits taken through courses offered at these institutions are not acceptable for license renewal under the semester credit option but may be used as equivalency clock hours.

Initial applicants for a school counseling license, who have met licensure criteria, will be issued a three-year provisional license. Following the completion of six semesters of successful experience in a school district, there is a process for advancement to a lifetime license. There is no limit on how many times a three-year provisional license may be renewed. To maintain a lifetime license, school counselors must complete a background check every 5 years.

Wyoming
Renewal Period: Five-year renewal certificate

In Wyoming school counselors are required to complete five hours in five years. There is currently no stipulation as to where or what hours are needed. The hours must be from an accredited college or university or state-approved workshops.

*The above information is provided to help you meet the needs for relicensing in individual states and to aid in assisting how these courses may help salary advancement and re-certification. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the course or courses that they complete meet the educational requirements of their corresponding state. For complete and official information, including forms and contact information, please visit your state’s Department of Education website.

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