State Licensing Requirements for Teachers

University Approved Courses

Our courses are approved by regionally accredited universities and colleges. These partners provide official transcripts, letter grades, and continuing education graduate credit  for successfully completed Learners Edge courses. 

Renew Your License

Colorado educators now are required to renew their professional license every seven years instead of every five. To do so, you can take six (6) semester hours of college or university coursework within the preceding seven years. Achieve this by taking two 3-credit courses from Learners Edge.

Teachers who hold a professional license with an elementary, English, math, science, social studies, or any middle-level endorsement are required to document 45 clock hours of applicable professional development in culturally and linguistically diverse education training. Learners Edge has a number of courses in this category, all worth 3 credits - 45 clock hours.

Teachers holding professional licenses are required to complete a minimum of 10 contact hours of professional learning as follows:

A minimum of one (1) contact hour related to behavioral health that is culturally responsive and trauma- and evidence-informed; and
A minimum of one (1) contact hour related to increasing awareness of laws and practices pertaining to educating students with disabilities in the classroom, including but not limited to Child Find and inclusive learning environments.

Learners Edge has a number of courses about behavior, special populations, culturally responsive teaching, and trauma informed practices. Select from 1, 2, or 3-credit courses to meet your needs.

For more information about license renewal, visit the Colorado Department of Education website.

We have helped many Maine teachers renew their certificates, increase their salaries, and advance their careers.

Renew Your Certificate

Professional Teacher Certificate:
Maine teachers with a professional teacher certificate may renew for a five (5) year term unless the teacher has attained certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, in which case the renewal period is for a ten (10) year term.

To renew, you must complete six (6) semester hours (credits) of approved study or 90 hours of in-service training and obtain verification from the School Administrative Unit (SAU) that the professional teacher certificate may be renewed.

If you are not employed by an SAU, you must provide documentation of the successful completion of six (6) semester hours (credits) of approved study or 90 hours of in-service training.
If you are not employed in Maine under a professional certificate, you must submit six (6) credits of approved study taken within the last five years. See examples below.

Learners Edge has helped more than 5,000 Maryland educators renew their license, increase their salary, and advance their career within the last 5 years.

Renew Your Certificate

Maryland teachers are responsible for initiating the renewal of their certificates. If you are under contract in a Maryland local school system, a non-public school providing services to special education students, or a State institution, your renewal request will be processed by your employer.

Requirements 

A cover letter requesting a renewal of your certificate, including full name, email address, last four digits of social security number and telephone number, and
Six semester hours of acceptable credit* on varying topics.

Listed below are a few examples of course selections to satisfy six (6) semester hours of acceptable credit on varying topics:

Select from our 1, 2 and 3 credit courses to meet your Maryland certificate renewal needs.

*Acceptable credit is credit that is:

Earned or taught at a regionally accredited college/university.
All Learners Edge University Partners meet this requirement through their regional accreditation. Our University Partners provide versatile and effective continuing education graduate credit courses and are accredited by various agencies including: CAEP/TEAC/NCATE, HLC, NECHE, NWCCU, WSCUC.
Related to a school assignment;
Earned within 5 years immediately preceding the date the certificate is issued;
Earned in required reading course work if not already completed (teaching areas only).

Teachers not currently employed in a local school system, non-public school providing services to special education students, or a state institution must submit the requirements within 90 days of certificate expiration. For more renewal information, visit the Education Certification page of the Maryland Department of Education.

Learners Edge has helped more than 10,000 Massachusetts educators renew their license, increase their salary, and advance their career within the last 5 years.

Renew Your License

Individuals with a Massachusetts professional license must earn at least 150 professional development points (PDPs) every five years to renew their license. Educators and supervisors will work together to create an Individual Professional Development Plan, which must include:

At least 15 PDPs in content (subject matter knowledge)
At least 15 PDPs in pedagogy (professional skills and knowledge)
At least 15 PDPs related to Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) or English as a Second Language (ESL)
- For this requirement, consider these courses:
  - 5068: Going Above and Beyond Academics for English Learners (3 credits=67.5 PDPs)
  -  5025: Making Content Accessible for Your English Language Learners (3 credits=67.5 PDPs)
At least 15 PDPs related to training in strategies for effective schooling for students with disabilities and the instruction of students with diverse learning styles
- For this requirement, consider these courses:
  -  776: Across The Spectrum: Teaching Students with Autism (3 credits=67.5 PDPs)
  - 5027: ADHD: Focusing, Learning, Teaching (3 credits=67.5 PDPs)
  - 717: Differentiated Learning: How to Teach to Varying Ability Levels (3 credits=67.5 PDPs)
The remaining required 90 PDPs may be earned through either “elective” activities that address other educational issues and topics that improve student learning, or additional content, and/or pedagogy. View our course catalog.

Meet several of your requirements by taking our newest course designed for Massachusetts educators:5151: Maximizing Learning for All through Differentiation (3 credits=67.5 PDPs)

Educators may earn credits from out-of-state, accredited colleges or universities that will then convert to PDPs at the same rate as they would for in-state institutes of higher education. Learners Edge partners with highly respected colleges and universities to provide versatile and effective continuing education graduate credit courses. Learners Edge University Partners are accredited by various agencies including: CAEP/TEAC/NCATE, HLC, NECHE, NWCCU, WSCUC.

Select from our 1, 2 and 3 credit courses to meet your Massachusetts license renewal needs.

For more renewal information, visit the Massachusetts Department Education educator licensure website.

We have helped thousands of teachers, many from Missouri, renew their certificates, increase their salaries, and advance their careers.

Upgrade Your Certificate

The classification, Initial Professional Certificate (IPC) or Initial Career Education Certificate (ICEC), is valid for four years from the date of issuance.  To upgrade to a Career Continuous Professional Certificate (CCPC) or Continuous Career Education Certificate (CCEC), (both valid for 99 years) you must do the following:

Complete four years of Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) approved teaching experience.
Participate in a district-provided mentoring program for two years.
Successfully complete 30 contact hours of professional development for an IPC upgrade; successfully complete 90 contact hours of professional development for an ICEC upgrade. This may include college credits.
- There are multiple ways you can achieve this through Learners Edge:
  - Example course options for IPC upgrade:
    5018: Incorporating Mindfulness: Strategies to Encourage Student Focus and Awareness (30 PD contact hours)
    OR
    5058: Building Strong Relationships in the Classroom: Care to Connect (30 PD contact hours)
  - Example course combinations options for ICEC upgrade:
    - Example 1: SEL Focus
      5203: Social and Emotional Learning Starts with You (45 PD contact hours)
      5102: Anxiety Awareness: Empowering Students with Help and Hope (45 PD contact hours)
    - Example 2: Reading Focus
      5030: Focus on Phonics for Effective Reading, Writing, and Spelling Instruction (45 PD contact hours)
      5040: Increasing Comprehension with Close Reading in Your Classroom (45 contact hours)
Participate in a beginning teacher assistance program offered by a Missouri college or university, Regional Professional Development Center (RPDC), or professional teacher organization such as MNEA or MSTA
Successfully participate in your employing school's annual Performance Based Teacher Evaluation process.
Develop and implement a professional development plan that is on file with the district. Reach out to a Learners Edge advisor to assist with planning.

Select 1, 2, or 3-credit courses to meet your needs.

If you wish to upgrade your certificate to a Career Continuous Professional Certificate (CCPC), you must complete 15 hours of professional development each year and maintain a professional development plan. You become exempt from reporting professional development to the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education if you meet one of the following qualifications:

Have ten years of experience as a certified teacher
Earn the next highest college degree beyond your current
Become nationally certified to teach

If you have questions about teacher professional development requirements for your specific situation, please review Required Professional Development Hours.

If you are not currently teaching and your certificate has expired or will expire soon, review the requirement to Reactivate your Certificate.

Learners Edge partners with highly respected colleges and universities to provide versatile and effective continuing education graduate credit courses for educators. Learners Edge University Partners are accredited by various agencies including: CAEP/TEAC/NCATE, HLC, NECHE, NWCCU, WSCUC.

Learners Edge has helped more than 2,500 Nebraska educators renew their license, increase their salary, and advance their career within the last 5 years.

Renew Your Certificate

Nebraska teachers must have recent teaching experience or college credits to renew their teaching certificate. Listed below are three options to meet the requirement:

Submit the Verification of Experience Form indicating teaching for one (1) year within the immediate past five (5) years half time (50%) or more in a legally operated school system while holding or qualifying to hold a regular teaching certificate.
or

Have completed six (6) graduate semester hours in education or your content area, within the immediate past five (5) years while holding or qualified to hold a teaching certificate that has not expired or has expired for less than five (5) years.
- Complete six graduate semester hours by choosing two 3-credit graduate-level, continuing education courses at Learners Edge.
or
If your teaching certificate has been expired more than five (5) years, fifteen (15) specific graduate semester hours in education are required within the immediate past five (5) years. The hours must be recommended for issuance of the teaching certificate by the certification officer of your approved teacher education institution. The courses shall include:
- A course in instructional techniques.
- A practicum consisting of one hundred or more clock hours of contact with students in the classroom setting, fifty percent of which shall consist of performing instructional duties under the supervision of a cooperating teacher.
- A course or courses which address current issues in education, including but not limited to, special education, gifted education, reading and writing in the content area, and school law.
- The remaining coursework that is directly related to the applicant's area of endorsement on his or her expired certificate.

Select from our 1, 2, and 3-credit courses to meet your certificate renewal and salary advancement needs.

For more information, visit the Nebraska Department of Education website.

Learners Edge partners with highly respected colleges and universities to provide versatile and effective continuing education graduate credit courses for educators. Learners Edge University Partners are accredited by various agencies including: CAEP/TEAC/NCATE, HLC, NECHE, NWCCU, WSCUC.

We have helped thousands of New Hampshire teachers renew their certificates, increase their salaries, and advance their career.

Renew Your Certificate

Educators under the Professional Development Master Plan applying for renewal of their credential must have the approval of the local superintendent, district administrator or nonpublic school administrator for the successful completion of the educator’s individual professional development plan. Renewal payments may be made online and superintendent recommendations for teacher renewal are also to be submitted online. The superintendent recommendation verifies that you have completed adequate professional development during the term of your certificate for renewal. Contact the Professional Development Committee in your school district for information on the renewal process.

New Hampshire teachers employed in a non-public or charter school without a Professional Development Master Plan must complete a minimum of 75 continuing education hours: 30 hours for each specific endorsement area held and 45 hours aligned with the Professional Education Requirements (Ed 505.07) within the three-year period prior to the renewal application date.

Take a look at these examples to see how you can earn your continuing education hours:

Learners Edge has helped more than 2,500 New Jersey educators renew their license, increase their salary, and advance their career within the last 5 years.

Standard Certificate Professional Development Requirements

The Standard Certificate is permanent. Each teacher must complete at least 20 hours of professional development each school year (replacing previous requirement of 100 hours over 5 years).

You can obtain 20 hours of professional development annually through Learners Edge. We’ve provided some examples below outlining how you might accomplish this.

Example 1: One graduate-level, continuing education course

Choose from all courses based on the goals outlined in your individualized PDP in consultation with your supervisor to meet requirements and advance along the salary schedule. A few of our favorites include:

5138: Innovation Strategies for Every Classroom (3 credits-45 hours)

5018: Incorporating Mindfulness: Strategies to Encourage Student Focus and Awareness (2 credits-30 hours)

5147: Bringing Students from Unfinished Learning to Soaring Achievement (3 credits-45 hours)  

Learners Edge has helped more than 6,500 New York educators renew their license, increase their salary, and advance their career within the last 5 years. Learners Edge is an approved sponsor for the New York State Education Department Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE).

Renew Your Certificate

Educators who hold one or more of the following certificates are subject to the continuing teacher and leader education (CTLE) requirement:

Professional certificate in the classroom teaching service, and/or
Professional certificate in the educational leadership service (i.e., School Building Leader, School District Leader, and School District Business Leader), and/or
Teaching Assistant Level III certificate.

Examples of educators who do not need to complete the CTLE requirement include, but are not limited to, educators who:

Hold only Permanent certificate(s),
Hold a Statement of Continued Eligibility (SOCE) and Permanent certificate, and does not also hold a Professional or TA Level III certificate; and
Have "Registered - Inactive" status (e.g., not practicing in an applicable school).

There is one CTLE requirement per educator (e.g., 100 clock hours), regardless of the number of certificates held. Educators who are subject to CTLE and practice in an applicable school throughout their five-year registration period must complete 100 clock hours of acceptable CTLE.

There are multiple ways to earn 100 clock hours with Learners Edge. See examples below.

Select from our 1, 2, and 3-credit or professional development courses to meet your needs.

If you have any questions as to whether you are required to meet CTLE requirements, please reference Registration & Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) Requirements.

For more information, visit the New York Department of Education. 

Learners Edge partners with highly respected colleges and universities to provide versatile and effective continuing education graduate credit courses for educators. Learners Edge University Partners are accredited by various agencies including: CAEP/TEAC/NCATE, HLC, NECHE, NWCCU, WSCUC.

Ohio University Partner

Lourdes University located in Sylvania, OH, is our in-state partner for your license renewal and salary advancement needs. Lourdes University is regional accredited through HLC-NCA and holds National Teacher Accreditation through TEAC/CAEP.

Learners Edge partners with highly respected colleges and universities to provide versatile and effective continuing education graduate credit courses for educators. Learners Edge University Partners are accredited by various agencies including:  CAEP/TEAC/NCATE, HLC, NECHE, NWCCU, WSCUC.

Select from our 1, 2, and 3-credit courses to meet your Ohio license renewal and salary advancement needs.

License Holders w/ Reading or Phonics Coursework Limitations

All candidates who request a standard Resident Educator license for Early Childhood, Primary Childhood, Middle Childhood or Intervention Specialist areas must successfully complete teaching of reading coursework. This coursework includes:

Nine semester hours in the teaching of reading
A three-semester hour course in the teaching of phonics (in the context of reading, writing and spelling)
5030: Focus on Phonics for Effective Reading, Writing, and Spelling Instruction

For more information on renewal and reading requirements, visit the Ohio Department of Education (ODE)  Website. 

Learners Edge has helped more than 7,500 Pennsylvania educators meet their Act 48 requirements, advance to their Level II Certificate, increase their salaries, and advance their careers within the last 5 years. Learners Edge is an approved Act 48 provider and offers 120+ online, self-paced, graduate-level, continuing education courses.

Meet Act 48 Requirements

Pennsylvania teachers can meet Act 48 requirements to maintain an active certificate by completing six (6) semester hours AND move along the salary schedule at the same time.

Listed below are a few examples of course selections to satisfy six (6) semester hours of acceptable credit on varying topics.

Select from our graduate-level continuing education courses to register for six (6) credits and meet your Act 48 requirements.

Interested in meeting your Act 48 requirements through a smaller bite-sized format? Check out our 10 hour Professional Development courses. Complete 18 Professional Development courses to meet your 180 Act 48 hours.

Convert from a Level I to a Level II Certificate

A minimum of 24 credits earned after the conferral of the initial baccalaureate degree is required. A minimum of six of these 24 credits must be in the content area of the Level I certificate or in a course or courses designed to improve professional practice.

Select from our 1, 2, and 3-credit courses to meet your Level II Certificate needs.

We have helped many teachers from South Carolina renew their certificates, increase their salaries, and advance their careers.

Renew Your Certificate

Educators must earn a minimum of 120 renewal credits within the following time frames in order to meet renewal requirements:

Valid (non-expired) certificates must meet requirements within their current certificate's validity;
Non-valid (expired) certificates must meet all renewal requirements within the five year period prior to their formal request for renewal. Renewal credits earned over five years prior are not eligible for use in renewing the expired certificate.

Any educator who has not earned a Master's Degree must earn at least sixty of the required renewal credits (three semester hours) in graduate-level coursework to renew his or her current certificate. This requirement can be met by completing three credits through Learners Edge.

Renewal credits can be earned by taking Learners Edge graduate-level, continuing education courses.

Select 1, 2, or 3-credit courses to meet your needs.

South Dakota University Partner

Learners Edge university partner, Augustana University (Souix Falls, SD), holds accreditation from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) through the HLC (Higher Learning Commission).

Renew Your Certificate

All applicants renewing a Teacher Certificate must complete an approved Suicide Awareness and Prevention training. Register for PD144: Awareness and Action for Suicide Prevention to satisfy this requirement with a letter of completion.

Professional Teaching Certificate Renewal

Complete six education-related credits that must include:
- A minimum of three transcripted credits or specialized learning experience hours; and
- The remaining three credits shall include continuing education contact hours or transcripted credits.

Advanced Teaching Certificate Renewal

Complete six education-related transcripted credits, specialized learning experience hours, or continuing education contact hours.

To earn six education-related credits, register for two 3-credit courses at Learners Edge. See examples below.

We have helped thousands of teachers, many from Tennessee, renew their licenses, increase their salaries, and advance their careers.

Advance or Renew Your License

Practitioner License

To advance from a practitioner license to a professional license, teachers must:

complete an approved educator preparation program
submit passing scores on required content and literacy assessments;
have three years of experience; and
have a recommendation from the director of schools or documentation of 30 professional development points (PDPs).
- We recommend Cultivate: A Program for New Teachers to earn 45 professional development points.

Professional License

To renew a professional license, an educator must:

submit 60 professional development points (PDPs).
- PDPs must be accrued during the validity period of the license.

To earn PDPs, an educator must take part in an activity to improve his or her effectiveness, such as:

Developing content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge or pedagogical content knowledge; or
Enhancing educator effectiveness (e.g., world language courses for those working with students for whom English is a second language or coursework that supports understanding and use of data)

You can earn your 60 professional development points with Learners Edge courses in a number of ways. See examples below.

We have helped thousands of teachers, many from Texas, renew their certificates, increase their salaries, and advance their careers.

Renew Your Certificate

Learners Edge is an approved Continuing Professional Education (CPE) provider in Texas and is listed on the Texas Education Association (TEA) website under the provider name: Learners Edge.

Standard Certificate Renewal
The Standard Certificate is renewable every five years. Educators must complete 150 CPE Hours for renewal. If you hold an administrative and/or student services certificate you must complete 200 CPE hours. No more than 200 CPE hours are required, even if you hold multiple certificates, such as: classroom, administrative and student services certificates.

You can meet these requirements through our Professional Development offerings and our graduate-level, continuing education courses.

Educators who will renew their Standard Certificate on or after June 1, 2019 must complete the requirements listed below. We’ve wrapped these requirements up into one online course bundle: The Lone Star Bundle: CPE Hours for Texas Teaching Recertification worth 37.5 CPE hours.

Collecting and analyzing information that will improve effectiveness in the classroom.
Recognizing early warning indicators that a student may be at risk of dropping out of school.
Digital learning, digital teaching, and integrating technology into classroom instruction.
Educating students with disabilities, including mental health disorders.
Educating students who are educationally disadvantaged.
Educating English language learners.
Educating students at risk of dropping out of school.
Understanding appropriate relationships, boundaries, and communications between educators and students.

Select 1, 2, or 3-credit or professional development courses to meet additional CPE hours.

For more information, visit the Texas Department of Education website.

We have helped many teachers from Washington renew their certificates, increase their salaries, and advance their careers.

Renew Your Certificate

Educators in Washington looking to renew a Residency Teacher Certificate must complete 100 clock hours, equivalent college credits, a Professional Growth Plan (PGP), or a combination of any of the three options in the five years prior to the application date for renewal.

Educators in Washington looking to renew a Professional Certificate must complete 100 clock hours, equivalent college credits, or a Professional Growth Plan (PGP) from the date of issuance through the expiration date of the current certificate.

There are multiple ways to earn your 100 clock hours with Learners Edge. See examples below.

Select 1, 2, or 3-credit or professional development courses to meet your needs.

To review the application types and find the application that's right for you based on your current status, visit the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Learners Edge partners with highly respected colleges and universities to provide versatile and effective continuing education graduate credit courses for educators. Learners Edge University Partners are accredited by various agencies including: CAEP/TEAC/NCATE, HLC, NECHE, NWCCU, WSCUC.

Advance Your Salary

One of the best ways to advance your salary is by obtaining your Master’s degree. Not sure where to look? Check out our preferred, affordable, 100% online Master’s program.

See Master’s Program

Already have your Master’s degree? Our educators find our graduate-level courses to be relevant, engaging, and highly applicable to your classroom or school setting—the perfect option to meet your salary advancement needs. The process is simple:

Select Course(s)

Select Session

Select University Partner

Not sure which University Partner to choose? American College of Education is our preferred partner for many reasons including their affordable pricing, accredited status, and education-focused graduate-level programs.

Anxiety Awareness: Empowering Students with Help and Hope

Social Emotional Learning

K-12+ Grade

$459 3 Credits

Living Your Happiest Life, Inside & Outside the Classroom

Educator Wellness

PreK - 12+ Grade:

$459 3 Credits

Goodbye Teacher Burnout, Welcome Teacher Wellness

Educator Wellness

PreK - 12+ Grade:

$459 3 Credits

State Requirements

Select Your State

We Make It Simple For You

University Approved Courses

Requirements by State

Renew Your Certificate

Example 1: Equity Focus

Example 2: Differentiation Focus

Example 3: Your Choose Two

Credit Conversion

Alaska Network Partner

Renew Your Certificate

Credit Conversion

Renew Your Certificate

Example 1: Focus on Tech Integration with our ISTE Approved Courses

Example 2: Reading Focus

Credit Conversion

Renew Your License

Example 1: Reading

Example 2: Social-Emotional Learning

Credit Conversion

Renew Your Credentials

Credit Conversion

Colorado University Partner

Renew Your License

Credit Conversion

Move to a Professional Educator Certificate

Renew Your License

Example 1: Equity Focus

Example 2: Differentiation Focus

Example 3: Your Choose Two

Credit Conversion

Renew Your Certificate

We recommend the following courses to meet your SWD requirement:

Credit Conversion

Renew Your Certificate

Example 1: A Focus on Unfinished Learning

Example 2: Reading Focus

Example 3: SEL Focus

Credit Conversion

Improve Your Professional Practice

Credit Conversion

Renew Your Certificate

Example 1: A Focus on Unfinished Learning

Example 2: Reading Focus

Example 3: SEL Focus

Credit Conversion

Illinois University Partner

Renew Your License

Example 1: Reading Focus

Example 2: Social-Emotional Learning Focus

Example 1: Mental Health Focus

Example 2: Tech for Engagement

Credit Conversion

Renew Your License

Example 1: Creating a Vision for Equity in Education

Example 2: Differentation Focus

Example 3: 3-2-1

Credit Conversion

Iowa University Partner

Renew Your License

Example 1: A Focus on Unfinished Learning

Example 2: Reading Focus

Example 3: SEL Focus

Two 2-credit Courses

Four 1-credit courses:

Credit Conversion

Renew Your License

Credit Conversion

Renew Your Certificate

Example 1: Equity Focus

Example 2: Differentiation Focus

Credit Conversion

Renew Your Certificate

Something Powerful

Tell The Reader More

Credit Conversion

Renew Your Certificate

Example 1: A Focus on Unfinished Learning

Example 2: Reading Focus

Example 2: Differentiation Focus 

Example 1: A Focus on Unfinished Learning 

Example 3: Your Choose Two 

Example 1: Equity Focus 

Example 2: Differentiation Focus 

Example 1: Equity Focus 

Example 2: Differentiation Focus 

Example 1: Equity Focus 
5110: Creating a Vision for Equity in Education (3 credits)

5111: Mindsets and Skillsets for a Culturally Responsive Classroom (3 credits)

Example 2: Differentiation Focus 
5147: Bringing Students from Unfinished Learning to Soaring Achievement (3 credits)

717: Differentiated Learning: How to Teach to Varying Ability Levels (3 credits)