Senior Professional Educator Licenses
In 2009, Ohio restructured its teacher licensure system and established a career ladder for educators. The four-tiered system provides opportunities for teachers to advance in their professional careers and serve as school improvement leaders, without leaving the teaching profession. The Senior Professional Educator License is the next advanced step on the career ladder after a professional educator license.
Requirements for an Initial Senior Professional Educator License
Educators interested in advancing their professional teaching licenses to the Senior Professional license must meet the following requirements under Ohio law1.
- Degree. A master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, or an equivalent accreditation if the degree was completed outside the United States.
- Teaching experience. Nine years of experience under a standard teaching license or certificate, of which at least five years are under a professional or permanent license or certificate.
- Master Teacher designation. Demonstration of effective practice at the accomplished or distinguished level of performance as defined in the Ohio Standards for the Teaching Profession by successful completion of the Master Teacher portfolio and designation as a Master Teacher.
Educators must submit the following with the online application for the initial license:
Requirements for Renewal of a Senior Professional Educator License
Educators currently employed in an Ohio public school or district must complete the following renewal requirements under Ohio law2:
- Six semester hours of coursework related to classroom teaching or area of licensure from an accredited two-year or four-year institution of higher education completed after the last issue date of the expiring license and approved by the Local Professional Development Committee (LPDC) of the employing school or school district; OR
- Eighteen continuing education units (180 contact hours) or other equivalent activities related to classroom teaching or area of licensure, completed after the last issue date of the expiring license and approved by the Local Professional Development Committee (LPDC) of the employing school or school district; AND
- Demonstration of meeting the criteria for the accomplished or distinguished level of performance described in the Ohio Standards for the Teaching Profession by maintaining current designation as a Master Teacher. Educators must submit the completed Master Teacher verification form with their online renewal application.
Not Currently Employed in an Ohio School
Educators not employed in an Ohio public school or district must complete the following requirements under Ohio law2 to renew their currently expiring Senior Professional Educator license:
- Six semester hours of coursework related to classroom teaching or area of licensure from an accredited two-year or four-year institution of higher education completed after the most recent issue date of the expiring license. Educators must complete all renewal coursework and submit their renewal application prior to October 1 of the expiration year of the license to be renewed, or the renewal requirement increases to nine semester hours. AND
- Demonstration of meeting the criteria for the accomplished or distinguished level of performance described in the Ohio Standards for the Teaching Profession by maintaining current designation as a Master Teacher.
Educators NOT CURRENTLY EMPLOYED IN AN OHIO SCHOOL, DISTRICT OR EDUCATIONAL SERVICE CENTER must submit the following with the online renewal application:
Consistently High Performing Teacher License Renewal
Educators with senior professional teaching licenses who have met requirements for Consistently High Performing Teacher status may not need to complete additional coursework or equivalent continuing education credits to renew their educator licenses for the next renewal cycle.
Application Instructions
- Access your OH|ID account.
- Click Educator Licensure and Records (CORE).
- Complete the online application from your CORE Dashboard.
- See the CORE User Manual for complete instructions.
Related Links
1OAC 3301-24-16
2OAC 3301-24-25
Last Modified: 6/13/2022 1:54:44 PM