Currently Employed in an Ohio School

For individuals currently employed in an Ohio public school or district, chartered non-public school or community school:

Each educator is responsible for the design of an Individual Professional Development Plan, subject to the approval of the Local Professional Development Committee. The plan should be based on the needs of the educator, the students, the school and the school district, and be aligned with the professional educator standards adopted by the State Board of Education.

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 and/or the area of licensure as approved by the Local Professional Development Committee 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.

Not Currently Employed in an Ohio School

For individuals not currently employed in an Ohio public school or district, chartered non-public school or community school:

Coursework Requirements For Renewal

• No pre-approval of coursework: Applicants do not need to seek pre-approval of coursework from the Ohio Department of Education. The department DOES NOT pre-approve coursework.  Applicants should select coursework related to classroom teaching and/or area of licensure.
• Accreditation: Coursework must be completed at an accredited college or university.  To verify accreditation, check with the college or university directly or check here.
• Dates of coursework: Applicants who wish to renew their licenses must have completed coursework after the issue date of the license they wish to renew.
• Course requirements for currently expiring licenses: Complete six semester hours of coursework related to classroom teaching and/or area of licensure from an accredited two-year or four-year institution of higher education. Coursework needs to be completed prior to September 1 of the year of expiration of the license to be renewed or the renewal requirement increases to nine semester hours.
• Course requirements for licenses that have lapsed for up to five years: Complete nine semester hours of coursework related to classroom teaching and/or area of licensure from an accredited two-year or four-year institution of higher education.
• Course requirements for licenses that have lapsed more than five years: Complete twelve semester hours of coursework related to classroom teaching and/or area of licensure from an accredited two-year or four-year institution of higher education.

Note: If, during the lapsed period of the certificate, the certificate holder is continuously employed under another valid Ohio certificate or license, or as an educator in another state under a currently valid certificate or license, then the renewal provisions for a currently expiring license applies.

Please Note

License holders with reading or phonics limitations: Pursuant to Ohio law, educators requesting Early Childhood, Middle Childhood or Intervention Specialist licensure must have successfully completed at least 12 semester hours in the teaching of reading that includes at least one separate course of at least three semester hours in the teaching of phonics in the context of reading, writing, and spelling. The coursework must be completed at an accredited college or university.  Many educators who completed their educator preparation program out of state will not have met this requirement, so a license is issued to the educator with the limitation placed upon it to complete the reading coursework requirement prior to expiration. 

To renew or advance your teaching license, Ohio law requires that you complete all coursework in the teaching of reading before renewing and/or advancing your teaching license.  The limitation will be removed from your license when you provide a transcript from an accredited college or university that provides evidence that you have successfully completed the requirements.

How do I Complete My Online Application?

• Access your SAFE Account.
• Click on ODE.CORE
• From your Dashboard, select Renew/My Credentials.
• Complete the three steps of the application, and submit payment.

Related Links

• Fees for Licensure Applications