Teacher License Overview

The license types available for those interested in teaching Ohio’s Prek-12 students are listed below. Applicants will use the Ohio Department of Education’s online system to submit licensure applications. Please see the CORE User Manual for step-by-step instructions.

Resident Educator License – 4 Year
Candidates may apply for the standard resident educator license if they:

  1. recently completed a traditional, university educator preparation program, OR
  2. previously held an Ohio provisional license, OR
  3. hold an Ohio resident educator license and are requesting an additional teaching license or endorsement.

Candidates who completed their educator preparation program out of state, will need to submit related documentation in the online application. 

Please note that the Resident Educator Program will transition from a 4-Year to a 2-Year program April 12, 2023. See the Resident Educator Licensure FAQ for information regarding upcoming changes.

Alternative Resident Educator License – 4 Year
Candidates who have not completed a traditional teacher preparation program through an accredited college or university but have a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 2.5 or higher OR a master’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, may be eligible for Ohio’s Alternative pathway to licensure. Candidates must first request an evaluation from the Department to begin this licensure pathway.

Alternative Montessori Resident Educator License – 4 Year
Candidates who have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and have completed one of the Department-recognized Montessori trainings may apply for this license to teach in an Ohio school’s Montessori program. This license is issued only at the request of an employing Ohio school or district that operates a program using the Montessori Method endorsed by the American Montessori Society or the Association Montessori Internationale as its primary method of instruction.

Professional Teaching License – 5 Year
Educators may apply for the professional teaching license if they:

  1. hold a resident educator or alternative resident educator license and have successfully completed the Ohio Resident Educator Program, including passing the Resident Educator Summative Assessment (RESA), OR
  2. hold an Ohio professional teaching license or a professional or permanent teaching certificate and are requesting an additional teaching license, OR
  3. have a minimum of three years of teaching experience under a standard out-of-state teaching license.

Senior Professional Educator License – 5 Year
Educators may advance their professional licenses to the Senior Professional license if they have met the following requirements:

Lead Professional Educator License – 5 Year
Educators may advance their Senior Professional licenses to the Lead Professional license if they have met the following requirements:

Out-of-State-License – 1 Year
Educators who hold a standard out-of-state teaching license and have met all requirements for Ohio licensure except exams may apply for this license at the request of their employing Ohio school or district. This license allows educators to work in an Ohio school or district while meeting Ohio exam requirements for standard licensure. 

Candidates may only apply for the one-year out-of-state license at the request of their employing Ohio school or district after their eligibility has been determined for either the resident educator or professional teaching license (candidates should first apply for the standard license to determine eligibility).

Associate License – 5 Year 
Candidates may apply for the associate license if they have completed approved university preparation programs for:

  • Prekindergarten teachers;
  • Interpreters for the hearing impaired; OR
  • Educational paraprofessionals.
Additionally, candidates may apply for the associate license if they hold a professional Ohio board license from the respective board for
  • Occupational therapy assistants; OR
  • Physical therapy assistants.

Candidates who completed their academic preparation program out of state, will need to submit related documentation in the online application. Please note that the associate license application is housed within the Teacher menu options in the CORE licensure system.

Substitute Teaching License – 1 Year and 5 Year
Candidates who are interested in substitute teaching in an Ohio school or district, must first contact the school or district. Candidates may apply for the substitute teaching license only at the request of an employing Ohio school or district. Please see the Substitute License Checklist for step-by-step guidance.

Supplemental Teaching License – 1 Year
Educators who hold valid, standard, Ohio teaching licenses or certificates may teach under the supplemental license while meeting requirements for standard licensure for an additional subject area at the request of their employing Ohio school district. Candidates must pass the content exam for the initial supplemental license. 

Career-Technical Workforce Development (CTWD) License – 2 Year
Candidates who wish to teach in a CTWD subject area, must contact an Ohio school district or career center that has a workforce development program in the CTWD subject area they are interested in teaching for licensure information and requirements. Candidates may apply for the CTWD license with approval of the employing Ohio school district or career center after they have completed the CTE-36 evaluation process through their employer.

Early College High School (ECHS) License – 4 Year
Candidates who hold a minimum of a graduate degree in the subject area to be taught and have teaching experience may apply for the ECHS license to teach in a Department approved Early College High School. This license is issued only at the request of an employing Ohio school or district. Candidates must pass the content exam for the initial ECHS license.

​Visiting International Teacher License – 3 Year
Candidates entering the United States specifically for the purpose of teaching in an Ohio school or school district that has agreed to employ the person as a teacher via an exchange program or other collaboration or recruitment effort may apply for this license. The license is issued only at the request of an employing Ohio school district for a visiting teacher who is a citizen of another country.

40 Hour STEM School Teaching Permit – 1 Year 
Candidates who have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in or significant work experience in the subject area to be taught may apply for this permit at the request of an employing Ohio STEM school. The permit allows educators to teach in the subject area requested for 40 hours a week in the employing Ohio STEM school. Only candidates who are not already licensed may apply for the 40 hour STEM school teaching permit. This permit is issued only at the request of an employing Ohio school or district.

12 Hour Teaching Permit – 1 Year 
Candidates who have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in or significant work experience in the subject area to be taught may apply for this permit at the request of an employing Ohio school or district. The permit allows educators to teach in the subject area requested for 12 hours a week in the employing Ohio school or district. Only candidates who are not already licensed may apply for the 12 hour teaching permit. This permit is issued only at the request of an employing Ohio school or district.

Temporary Military License – 3 Year
Educators who are currently active duty service members or spouses of active duty service members and hold a valid out-of-state teaching license in the requested subject area may apply for this license (renewable one time).

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Last Modified: 3/15/2023 4:08:04 PM