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 an OH|ID account:
   • If you are certain you do not have an OH|ID account, go to the OH|ID portal and click the “Create New Account” button. There is a link labeled "Login" that directs to the OH|ID 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. View the list of other acceptable documents on the Department of Education - Alternative Forms of Identification webpage. 
      
   • For answers to any further questions regarding the OH|ID sign-up process, please review the Login Help webpage or contact Profile.Help@education.ohio.gov or (877) 644-6338.

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Click Forgot Password? on the OH|ID portal. Do not set up a second OH|ID account. If you need assistance, contact Profile.Help@education.ohio.gov.

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Yes. Click Save and Exit (Without Submitting) at the bottom of the page any time during the application process. When you are ready to finish your application and submit it, log into OH|ID and click Educator Licensure and Records (CORE). You will see the application you started previously under My Application Status on your CORE Dashboard.  Click Action and then 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 have 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, log into OH|ID and click Educator Licensure and Records (CORE). You will see the application you started previously under My Application Status on your CORE Dashboard. 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 during the application process, such as:

• Acknowledgement when your application is submitted
• Notification that your application was:
  • approved and issued
  • placed on hold
  • declined

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

Pro tip: Be sure your email address is up-to-date in CORE and your OHID account so that you receive important notifications. See the CORE User Manual for instructions on how to update your contact information.

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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 CORE 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 OH|ID 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 OH|ID 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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Licensure application review and processing times will vary depending on the entities involved and the number of requests at any one time. Please review the Understanding the Educator Licensure Process for more information. 

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Please review the detailed message within the My Application Status area of your CORE Dashboard that explains the reason your application is on hold. You also will receive an email from the CORE system with the hold 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 times vary, depending upon the number of requests at one time. Please review the Department's Background Check FAQs for important information about submitting your background checks.

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Applicants may submit the renewal application on November 1 of the year preceding their credential expiration date.

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The Department does not pre-approve renewal coursework. Please see the How to Renew a Five-Year Professional License webpage for information and renewal requirements.

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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 OH|ID 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 OH|ID 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 OH|ID 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:

REProgram@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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