FAQs About the Online CORE License System
The Ohio Department of Education's Connected Ohio Records for Educators system or CORE is a suite of web-based applications that integrates all aspects of educator licensure, including the Ohio Resident Educator Program, licensure renewal and professional conduct.
Through CORE, educators manage their credentials online. CORE is a secure environment where educators request new credentials or renewals and pay licensure fees using a credit card or electronic check.
School and district administrators and university deans enroll as electronic signers through their CORE Dashboard to conduct their portion of the review and approval process for licensure requests.
Program Coordinators register Resident Educators through CORE and manage information regarding their progress in the Resident Educator Program, which the educators may view from their own CORE Dashboards.
Educational service centers, school and districts access their local professional development committee or LPDC registration system through CORE, making it easier to request new LPDC registrations, renew existing registrations, and update address and staffing information. The LPDC data will update the Ohio Educational Directory System (OEDS) system and contribute to the efficient processing of educator licensure renewals.
General Questions
Timing and Status
Renewing My License
Communication about Your License Request
General Questions
Do I need an OH|ID account?
The Department switched from SAFE to OHID in May 2019. If you have not accessed your account since then, attempting to log into OH|ID with SAFE credentials will not work. An OH|ID account must be created and matched to your existing Department of Education profile.
Additionally, if you have never applied for a credential (certificate, license or permit) with the Department, you will need to set up an OHID account and request a Department of Education profile.
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How do I get help with my OH|ID account?
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What do I do if I forgot the password for my OH|ID account?
Click FORGOT PASSWORD? on the OH|ID login page. Do not set up a second OH|ID account. If you need assistance, contact Profile.Help@education.ohio.gov.
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How do I update my name and contact information?
You may change your name or update your contact information at any time. Please note this a two-part process as you will need to update both your OHID account and the CORE application system. Please see the
CORE User Manual for complete instructions to edit your accounts.
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Can I start my application and finish it later?
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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How do I know what documents are already in my account?
You may log in and view the documents in your account from your CORE Dashboard.
- First log in to your OHID account.
- Open the Educator Licensure and Records (CORE) app.
- Select Click to View in the My Documents section of your Core Dashboard.
- Click View next to the document you wish to download and view.
Please note that if your application is on hold for documents, you may upload them to your account from the My Documents section of your CORE Dashboard for faster processing.
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Who approves licensure requests?
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
Colleges and universities
- Dean or dean-designee from colleges of education
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How do I submit an application to add a new teaching field or endorsement?
You must apply for a new teaching license or add an area to your existing license from your CORE Dashboard.
- First log in to your OHID account.
- Open the Educator Licensure and Records (CORE) app.
- Click Apply for a NEW Credential in the My Credentials section of your CORE Dashboard.
- Select Apply for a NEW Credential if you are applying for a new license type OR select Take action on my EXISTING credential if you are adding an endorsement or subject area to your license or permit.
- Complete and submit the application.
Additional information and instructions are available in the CORE User Manual.
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Can I delete an application I started previously?
Yes – if you have not yet submitted your application. If you have not yet 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. Please note that the first application must be declined before you can submit a new application for the same license type.
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How can I get a copy of my license or permit?
You may download, save and print an official copy of your active license or permit from the My Credentials section of your CORE Dashboard.
- First log in to your OHID account.
- Open the Educator Licensure and Records (CORE) app.
- Click Action next to the active credential and select Print from the dropdown menu to download and print your license or permit.
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How do I get a copy of my receipt?
Please be sure the
Email Receipt box is checked, and your email address is correct when completing your payment information in the online licensure application. After you submit your application and payment electronically, you will receive a receipt for your payment via email. If you do not see the email within one business day of submitting your application, please check your Junk mail folder.
If you do not receive an emailed receipt for your payment after submitting your application, please email
educator.licensure@education.ohio.gov.
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How do I request a refund?
If your application has been declined and you have a positive balance in your account, you may request a refund from your CORE Dashboard.
- First log in to your OHID account.
- Open the Educator Licensure and Records (CORE) app.
- Verify that you have a positive balance in your account.
- Click the Request Refund button in the My Account section of your CORE Dashboard. This action will open the email for you to request your refund.
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Timing and Status
How long does it take to complete the application?
If you have a valid OH|ID account and your method of payment (credit card or electronic check) handy -- as well as any documents (official college transcripts for example) and e-signer information needed -- submitting your application should take 10 minutes or less. Please review information on the Department's Apply for a New License webpage before starting the online application.
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How can I check on the status of my application?
You may log into your OH|ID account to learn where your application is in the review process. The My Application Status section of your CORE Dashboard displays both the licensure applications you have submitted and ones you have begun but not yet submitted.
- First log in to your OHID account.
- Open the Educator Licensure and Records (CORE) app.
- Hover your cursor over the submitted application to view notes about its status.
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How long will it take for my application to be processed?
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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What happens if my application is placed on hold?
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, if your application went to one of those entities for initial verification.
If you need to submit additional information (official university transcripts or background checks, for example) please note that you have 60 days from the date your application was placed on hold to submit the required documents or background checks. After the 60-day hold period, the system will automatically decline your application and charge you a nonrefundable $25 processing fee. If you need more than 60 days to submit the requirements, please email educator.licensure@education.ohio.gov before the hold period expires.
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Why don’t I see my background checks in my CORE Dashboard yet?
Background checks are processed through the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and then sent to the Department. Please review the Department's Background Check FAQs for important information about submitting your background checks and processing times.
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What if my application is declined?
If your application is placed on hold for documents (such as official university transcripts), exam score reports or background checks, you will have 60 days in which to submit the requirements. After the 60-day hold period, the system will automatically decline your application and charge you a nonrefundable $25 processing fee. The rest of the licensure fee that you submitted remains in your OHID account as a positive balance, which you may apply to your next application or request a refund.
If your application is declined by the university or employing school, district or educational service center, no fees are charged. The full amount you submitted with your application will remain in your OHID account as a positive balance for you to apply to your next application (or you may request a refund).
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Renewing My License
When can I renew my credential?
Applicants may submit the renewal application as early as November 1 of the year preceding their credential expiration date.
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How do I submit an application to renew my license or permit?
You must complete the renewal application through your CORE Dashboard.
- First log in to your OHID account.
- Open the Educator Licensure and Records (CORE) app.
- Find your license or permit in the My Credentials section of your CORE Dashboard.
- Click the Action button next to your license or permit and select Renew.
- Complete and submit the application.
Additional information and instructions are available in the
CORE User Manual.
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What happens if my license or permit is not renewed by July 1?
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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Can I add an endorsement when I renew my license?
Adding an endorsement or additional subject area to your existing license is a different action. It requires a separate application from the renewal of your license. Please see the CORE User Manual for application instructions to apply for new licenses or add areas to existing licenses and permits.
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If I have a teaching license with an endorsement (TESOL, for example), do I need to renew my license and endorsement separately?
You will complete only one renewal application for your license. When you renew the license, the endorsement is automatically renewed as well.
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How do I align my licenses to receive the multiple license discount?
If you have multiple professional licenses with different effective years, you may align them when one is up for renewal.
- First log in to your OHID account.
- Open the Educator Licensure and Records (CORE) app.
- Click Align next to the currently expiring license in the My Credentials section of your CORE Dashboard.
- Select the license to which you are aligning the currently expiring license and complete the application.
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Communication about Your License Request
When will I hear something about the status of my application?
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.
In addition, you may log into your OH|ID account and access your CORE Dashboard to learn where your application is in the review process. See the How can I check on the status of my application? section above.
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Who do I contact for assistance if my application is under review by the Office of Professional Conduct?
Please email educator.conduct@education.ohio.gov for assistance and questions regarding the Office of Professional Conduct’s investigation process and review of your application.
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Where can I find answers to my other questions?
Please see the CORE User Manual to access step-by-step instructions for using the online licensure system.
You may also contact our office for more information. To streamline the process and assist you more quickly, please select one mode of contact (email or phone). Before calling, log into your OH|ID account so the Department representative can provide better service to you regarding your application.
Email educator.licensure@education.ohio.gov or call (877) 644-6338.
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Last Modified: 10/19/2022 11:27:08 AM