Here are a few steps you can take: 

1. First, read more about the credential you will apply for on the Ohio Department of Education’s licensure website. 
2. Make sure you have a SAFE account:
   • If you are certain you do not have a SAFE account, go to the SAFE portal and click the “Sign Up” button. There is a link to the SAFE portal at the top of every page at education.ohio.gov.
      
   • You will need to verify your identity. The fastest way is with a valid Ohio driver’s license or a state identification card. If you need to view a list of other acceptable documents, click here or go to education.ohio.gov to search for: SAFE – identification.
      
   • For answers to any further questions regarding the SAFE sign-up process, please review the Sign-Up Help document on the SAFE portal or contact SAFE.Admin@education.ohio.gov or (877) 644-6338.
      

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In either of these situations, click “FORGOT USER NAME OR PASSWORD” in the sign-in box at the SAFE portal. Please do not set up a second SAFE account. The directions will explain what to do if your last name has changed or you need a new password. 

If you need assistance, you may contact SAFE.admin@education.ohio.gov.

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Yes. Click Save and Exit (Without Submitting) at any time during the application process. When you are ready to finish your application and submit it, log into SAFE and ODE.CORE. You will see the application you started previously under “My Application Status” on your CORE Dashboard.  Click Action and Edit Application.

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The Ohio Department of Education reviews all applications and provides final approval before issuing credentials. Before the Department can proceed in most cases, an electronic signer at either a school district or a college or university needs to review and approve license applications. Specifically, the e-signer may play one of the following roles: 

School districts

• Superintendent, or an administrator delegated by the superintendent (either a superintendent-designee or a credential e-signer); 
• Local professional development committee chair or co-chair;  

Colleges and universities

• Dean or dean-designee from colleges of education.  

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Yes – but only if you have not yet paid for and submitted your application. If you have not submitted your application, click Action and then Delete Application.

If you submitted an application incorrectly, you will need to submit a new application.

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The Department will send you email notifications at several points about your application: 

• An acknowledgement that you submitted it; and
• A notice that your application was either: a) approved and issued; b) placed on hold; or c) declined. 

You also may receive email communication directly from your e-signer with questions or comments about your request. 

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You may download, save and print an official copy of your active license or permit from the My Credentials section of your Dashboard. Districts also will maintain records of issued credentials and may ask each individual to provide a copy for district files. 

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If you have a valid SAFE account and you have the payment information handy -- as well as any documentation needed to indicate that you met your requirements -- submitting your application should take 10 minutes or less. You can prepare by reviewing information on the Ohio Department of Education’s licensure website pertaining to the credential you wish to request or renew. 

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If your application is not approved by July 1, do not panic. When the Department issues credentials that are requested for the upcoming school year, the effective date will be July 1 (in the summer preceding that school year) — regardless of what date during the school year the credential is issued. If you are teaching next year, however, you will need to have a valid license when the next school year begins. 

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You may log into your SAFE account to learn where your application is in the review process. My Application Status on your Dashboard displays the status of your application(s). The Department and local electronic signers make every effort to process applications as promptly as possible — but the processing time will vary depending upon the complexity of the application and the volume of requests submitted at the time.

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The review and approval process does require many steps among several people. For most applicants, the review and response to credential requests takes 10 or fewer business days from the day they submit their applications. 

The processing time does vary, depending upon the complexity of license requests, completion time for requirements such as background checks and the sheer volume of requests at any one time. E-signers and the Department review applications as quickly as possible. 

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If your application is on hold, please read the detailed message within the My Application Status area of your Dashboard that explains the reason for the “on hold” message. You also will receive an email from the CORE system with this same message, which may ask you to take additional steps before your license request can move forward in the review process. If your application is on hold for e-signer approval for more than a week to 10 days, make sure you check your inbox for an email message from your e-signer. You may also contact either your district's Human Resources office -- or your college or university -- regarding the delay.

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Processing time for a background check varies, depending upon the number of requests at one time. Contact the WebCheck location where you submitted your background check to ask about the expected completion date — and be sure to ask them to send results to the Ohio Department of Education. 

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Applicants may begin renewing their applications on November 1 of the year preceding their expiration date.

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No, the Department does not pre-approve courses. All applicants should select courses related to classroom teaching and/or the area of licensure.

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A teacher with existing teaching licensure (ex. in pre-kindergarten through grade 3) who is qualified to apply for another license (ex., middle childhood) should use a new credential application to request approval for the additional middle childhood license. The college or university where the teacher takes the courses will assist in selecting classes and also will serve as the electronic signer for the new license. 

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If you are a licensed teacher and you have met the requirements for a new teaching field or an endorsement, you may apply for the additional licensure area by logging in to your SAFE account and clicking Apply for NEW Credential under My Credentials in your Dashboard.
 

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If you are renewing both your license as well as existing fields or endorsements, you will complete one renewal application for all these credentials.

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The Department will send you email notifications at several points about your application: 1) an acknowledgement that you submitted it; and 2) a notice that your application was either: a) approved and issued; b) placed on hold; or c) declined. You also may receive email communication directly from your e-signer with questions or comments about your request. 

In addition, you may log into your SAFE account and access your Dashboard to learn where your application is in the review process. My Application Status on your Dashboard displays the status of your application(s).

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If you have not already done so, please check the Ohio Department of Education Licensure Website for answers to your questions. If you do not find what you need, please contact one of the offices below. 

We request that you select one mode of contacting us (email or phone). Before calling, please log into your SAFE account so the Department representative can provide better service to you regarding your application. 

For questions related to licensure: 

educator.licensure@education.ohio.gov

(877) 644-6338 

For questions about the Ohio Resident Educator program:

resident.educator@education.ohio.gov

(877) 644-6338

Your feedback is important

If you have a suggestion for making the online application better -- or for an FAQ we should add here, please send that feedback to educator.licensure@education.ohio.gov. Thank you!

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