Iowa State Requirements

Initial: 

1. The Initial License may be renewed only twice, for a total of three terms
2. Child and dependent adult abuse mandatory reporter training is required if teaching in Iowa

Convert from Initial to Standard:

1. At least 2 years' experience verification
2. Master’s Degree transcripts 
   (Master Educator License ONLY – 5 years of experience and a Master’s Degree required)

Standard:

1. Six credits, completed during the term of the license (after the issue date and before the expiration date, and no more than five years old if the license is expired), are required to renew the Standard License. 
2. In addition to the six credits, you must also submit a certificate verifying the completion of the child and dependent adult abuse mandatory reporter training.

Acceptable renewal credits include any combination of the following list, but have to be taken within the term of the license (or be no more than five years old if the license has expired):

1. Credit(s) completed from a regionally accredited institution, which may not lead to a degree but which add greater depth/breadth to present endorsement held. View Our Partners

2. Credit(s) completed from a regionally accredited institution, which lead toward the completion of a planned master’s, specialist’s, or doctor’s degree program in an endorsement area. View Our Partners
3. Credit(s) completed from a regionally accredited institution, which may not lead to a degree but which lead to completion of requirements for an endorsement not currently held. View Our Partners
4. Credit(s) completed through Iowa licensure renewal courses or activities approved through guidelines established by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners, such as licensure renewal credits through an approved Iowa provider.
5. Four credits may be earned for achievement of or the renewal of National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification. Please include a copy of the NBCT certificate or NBCT renewal.
6. Two credits may be earned through serving as a cooperating teacher. Colleges will issue official reports which must be included. (1) Mentoring a full-semester student teacher (14 or more weeks) is worth one credit. (2) Mentoring a half-semester student teacher (less than 14 weeks) is ½ credit. (3) Mentoring a practicum student or practicum students (early field experience) equivalent to 90 contact hours (hours may be accrued over several semesters) is worth ½ credit, or 180 hours or more is worth one credit.
7. One credit may be earned through verification of the successful completion of an individualized professional development plan as verified by the supervising licensed evaluator.

Convert from Standard to Master Educator License:

1. at least 5 years signed by an administrator, and
2. Official transcripts showing the completion of a Master’s Degree in an education field or endorsement area
3. Official transcripts showing six renewal or college credits. CEU credits are not accepted. *(only required if you do not have at least six Master’s Degree credits that are less than five years old)

Master Educator:

1. Four credits, completed during the term of the license (after the issue date and before the expiration date, and no more than five years old if the license is expired), are required to renew the Master Educator License.

2. In addition to the four credits, you must also submit a certificate verifying the completion of the child and dependent adult abuse mandatory reporter training. Acceptable renewal credits include any combination of the following list, but have to be taken within the term of the license (or be no more than five years old if the license has expired):

3. Credit(s) completed from a regionally accredited institution, which may not lead to a degree but which add greater depth/breadth to present endorsement held. View Our Partners

4. Credit(s) completed from a regionally accredited institution, which lead toward the completion of a planned master’s, specialist’s, or doctor’s degree program in an endorsement area. View Our Partners

5. Credit(s) completed from a regionally accredited institution, which may not lead to a degree but which lead to completion of requirements for an endorsement not currently held. View Our Partners

6. Credit(s) completed through Iowa licensure renewal courses or activities approved through guidelines established by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners, such as licensure renewal credits through an approved Iowa provider.

7. Four credits may be earned for achievement of or the renewal of National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification. Please include a copy of the NBCT certificate or NBCT renewal.

8. Two credits may be earned through serving as a cooperating teacher. Colleges will issue official reports which must be included. (1) Mentoring a full-semester student teacher (14 or more weeks) is worth one credit. (2) Mentoring a half-semester student teacher (less than 14 weeks) is ½ credit. (3) Mentoring a practicum student or practicum students (early field experience) equivalent to 90 contact hours (hours may be accrued over several semesters) is worth ½ credit, or 180 hours or more is worth one credit.

9. One credit may be earned through verification of the successful completion of an individualized professional development plan as verified by the supervising licensed evaluator.

See the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners website for complete IA Teacher License Renewal information.

We always recommend that you follow any pre-approval requirements in your district before you register for courses. However, teachers have been successful using our courses to advance on their district’s salary scale—and have typically been able to use any of our university/college partners.

See the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners website for complete IA Teacher License Renewal information.

Learners Edge continuing education courses are approved by our regionally accredited universities and colleges from throughout the United States. These partners provide official transcripts, letter grades and graduate credit for successfully completed Learners Edge courses.

When selecting your course, choose any of our CAEP and/or regionally accredited graduate credit university partners to gain the semester hours of credit.

Learners Edge graduate continuing education courses to help meet your requirements.