Ohio Educators with Military Connections

Assistance for Service Members, Veterans, and Military Spouses

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce understands the value that military individuals bring to Ohio’s PK-12 classrooms. The Ohio Military Veteran Educators program assists service members, veterans, and their spouses in starting a career in education.  

This page contains information about:

Pathways To Become an Educator 

Ohio has three main pathways to becoming an educator.

Three Pathways to become an educator

1. Educator Prep Program | Time commitment: 2 - 4 Years

Enrolled in a Higher Education Chancellor approved educator prep program option that leads to Ohio licensure:

  • A bachelor's degree program that includes the licensure requirements,
  • A post-baccalaureate program that provides only the licensure courses,
  • A master's degree with licensure

2. Alternative Resident Educator Program | Time commitment: < 1 Year

Future educators who pursue the alternative resident educator program have earned a bachelor's degree with a grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher or a master's degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher from an accredited institution of higher education

3. Career Technical Workforce Development License | Time commitment: < 1 Year

For a CTWD License, a future educator has done one of these three things:

  • Earned a high school diploma or equivalent,
  • Completed a minimum of five years of full-time work experience in the requested teaching field, or
  • Enrolled in an approved CTWD educator preparation program.

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Prepare for the Licensure Application

When applying for an educator license, the following items are necessary:

OH|ID

Candidates will need to set up an OH|ID account to apply for a license. Candidates who do not have an Ohio driver’s license may use their military ID or another alternative form of identification to set up their OH|ID accounts.

Service Verification

When completing the online license application within OH|ID, applicants will need to verify military service by uploading a scanned copy of a verification document. While scanning verification items, select file type PDF for the document(s) to be uploaded.  

For service members:
For current members of the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserves, or National Guard, upload a copy of the front of your current military ID card. For current members of the Ohio Military Reserve or Ohio Naval Militia, upload a copy of your current State of Ohio Uniformed Services ID card.

For veterans:
If the applicant is a veteran of any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, upload one of the following documents:

  • DD Form 214 including the Character of Service (must be Honorable),
  • NGB 22 including the Character of Service (must be Honorable)

For military spouses:
If the applicant is a spouse of an active duty member, upload one of the following documents:

  • DD Form 1173 (front and back) reflecting sponsor service status of AD (Active Duty), OR
  • U.S. Department of Defense Next Generation USID card (front and back) reflecting a sponsor affiliation of Active Duty.

Learn more about applying for a new or renewed license.

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License Fees

Ohio values what military individuals bring to Ohio’s PK-12 classrooms, and there are different programs that assist with the cost of becoming a licensed educator. 

Fee Waiver

The State Board of Education has eliminated fees for educator licenses to recognize the contributions of military families. The fees for any initial Ohio educator license, permit, or certificate, as well as for a renewal – will be waived for candidates who are veterans with honorable discharges or current service members of all branches of the United States Armed Forces, the National Guard or Reserve, or the Ohio Military Reserve or Ohio Naval Militia (under the Ohio Adjutant General). Spouses of active duty service members also may receive a license free of charge. 

Ohio Assessment For Educators Fee Waiver

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce offers vouchers to pay for the Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) required as evidence of content mastery for licensure. Contact OhioMVEP@education.ohio.gov with any questions about OAE voucher eligibility.

OMVEP Alternative Resident Educator Institute Subsidy

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce subsidizes the costs for the Alternative Resident Educator Institute, the Intensive Pedagogical Training Institute, and the Professional Development Institutes for eligible military individuals. Contact OhioMVEP@education.ohio.gov for more information.

OMVEP Educator Prep Program Grant

Several educator preparation programs across the state have been awarded the EmpowerVetEd grant. The grant provides an opportunity for institutions of higher education to provide financial incentives and assistance to eligible military individuals, as defined in section 3319.285 of the Revised Code, to enroll in and complete an educator preparation program approved under section 3333.048 of the Revised Code. Visit the EmpowerVetEd webpage for more information.  

Veterans Affairs

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers a reimbursement program for educational expenses, which can also include the cost of taking the Ohio Assessments for Educators. Below are the steps for seeking reimbursement:

  • Download the Department of Veterans Affairs Application for Reimbursement of Licensing or Certification Test Fees (VBA-22-0803-A). 
  • To complete the form, applicants will need the list of Ohio Assessments for Educators and related fees that are approved for reimbursement using veteran’s benefits. Access this information by following the steps below on the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page:
    • Enter “OAE” into the L&C Name field.
    • Select “Both” as the LAC category type.
    • Select the State initials “MA” for Massachusetts (location of the OAE testing contractor) and click on the “Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE)” prompt under the Description column. There will be a list of licensure exams. Select the exam to be taken and the associated cost. Complete and submit the reimbursement form. 
    • Applicants needing additional information about reimbursement programs should contact their local veteran's benefits office.

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Existing Licensed Teachers

The one-year out-of-state educator license: Incoming licensed teachers from other states, including service members, spouses of service members, and veterans of the U.S. armed forces, may apply for this license at the request of their employing Ohio school or district if they meet all requirements. This license simplifies interstate mobility and employment by allowing an educator to teach for a year in Ohio while they are meeting any additional requirements they may need for full Ohio licensure.

Military extensions to Ohio licenses: State law (ORC 3319.284) permits a member of the National Guard or a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States who is called to active duty and who, at the time of deployment, holds a valid educator license in Ohio, to have the license extended for a period of time commensurate with the length of active duty service, provided the educator is honorably released from that active duty service. Contact educator.licensure@education.sboe.gov to inquire about an extension.

Temporary Military License: The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce issues temporary military licenses to educators who are currently active duty service members in Ohio or spouses of active duty service members in Ohio and hold a valid (active) out-of-state license in the requested subject area, in accordance with section 4743.041 of the Ohio Revised Code. 

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Junior ROTC Instructors

The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps in Ohio is a high school leadership development program based in the values and practices of four branches of the United States military. The program combines classroom experiences with service to students' schools and communities. JROTC programs teach students values of leadership, teamwork and self-discipline.

Visit the Temporary Military Science License page for more information about this license.

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Last Modified: 12/11/2025 1:54:46 PM