Extend, Renew or Advance Resident Educator Licenses
Please note that because of recent legislation, the Resident Educator Program transitioned from a four-year to a two-year program April 12, 2023. See the Resident Educator Licensure FAQ for information regarding licensure changes.
Extensions (1-Year)
The Department issues extensions under Ohio law1 to allow candidates additional time to complete the Ohio Resident Educator Program.
Educators may request a one-year extension to their currently expiring Two-Year Resident Educator license if they need additional time to complete the Ohio Resident Educator Program, provided they have completed at least one year of the Ohio Resident Educator Program.
Educators may request no more than two extensions.
Renewals (2-Year)
The Department issues renewals under Ohio law1 to allow candidates additional time to complete the Ohio Resident Educator Program.
Educators who are not eligible for extensions must renew their Two-Year Resident Educator license to complete the Ohio Resident Educator Program. Please note that a license cannot be renewed until its expiration year.
COURSEWORK REQUIREMENTS FOR RENEWAL
- Three 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. 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 six semester hours.
Renewal requirements are in place to keep educators abreast of best practices in the field and the latest research findings. Classroom dynamics change constantly, and continuing education helps teachers find new ways to reach students and help them succeed. All coursework must lead to new knowledge in the P-12 classroom and be related to student success, wellness or achievement. Renewal coursework must be relevant to classroom teaching or area of licensure. The Department will also consider coursework completed for an additional P-12 licensure area for renewal of an expiring license. Courses which provide credit for completing routine teaching duties and responsibilities and courses in which the curriculum is selected by the educator rather than the university will not be accepted, even if reflected on an official transcript from an accredited university. Please note that the Department DOES NOT pre-approve coursework.
LICENSE HOLDERS WITH READING OR PHONICS COURSEWORK LIMITATIONS
All candidates who request a standard resident educator license for Early Childhood, Primary Childhood, Middle Childhood or Intervention Specialist areas must successfully complete teaching of reading coursework2. This coursework includes:
- Nine semester hours in the teaching of reading, AND
- A three-semester hour course in the teaching of phonics (in the context of reading, writing and spelling).
Educators who hold a standard resident educator license with reading or phonics coursework limitations must complete the required coursework to renew their teaching license. Coursework may be graduate or undergraduate level and must be completed through an accredited college or university Official university transcripts reflecting the completed reading and phonics coursework must be submitted with the renewal application.
Advance to Professional License
The Department issues professional educator licenses under Ohio law3 to teachers who have completed the Ohio Resident Educator Program or who have met teaching experience requirements under a standard out-of-state teaching license.
Educators must successfully complete the following to advance a resident educator license to a five-year professional educator license:
LICENSE HOLDERS WITH READING OR PHONICS COURSEWORK LIMITATIONS
All candidates who request a standard resident educator license for Early Childhood, Primary Childhood, Middle Childhood or Intervention Specialist areas must successfully complete teaching of reading coursework2. This coursework includes:
- Nine semester hours in the teaching of reading, AND
- A three-semester hour course in the teaching of phonics (in the context of reading, writing and spelling).
Educators who hold a standard resident educator license with reading or phonics limitations must complete the coursework requirements before the expiration date of the license. Coursework may be graduate or undergraduate level and must be completed through an accredited college or university. Resident educator license holders must complete all required reading and phonics coursework before advancing their teaching license and submit official university transcripts reflecting the completed coursework with their application to advance to the professional license.
OUT-OF-STATE TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Educators who completed a traditional teacher preparation program through an accredited college or university and have taught for two full school years under a standard out-of-state teaching license may be eligible for the professional educator license. Candidates must submit the application for the professional license and the following documents through their OHID account to begin the evaluation to determine eligibility for the professional license. Note that candidates must complete the application for a new professional license, rather than advance the previously issued resident educator license, and indicate in the application that they completed their program outside of Ohio as eligibility for the license will be based on out-of-state teaching experience.
- WORK EXPERIENCE VERIFICATION. A completed Work Experience Verification form from each school or district is required. The out-of-state school or district human resources director or superintendent must complete and submit the form directly to the Department. Third party verification will not be accepted. The school may either email the completed form to educator.licensure@education.ohio.gov or mail the original to:
Ohio Department of Education
Office of Educator Licensure
25 S. Front Street
Mail Stop 504
Columbus, OH 43215
- OUT-OF-STATE LICENSE. Additionally, candidates must provide the teaching licenses they held during each school year they taught. The validity period on the licenses should coincide with the work experience.
PLEASE NOTE that educators must have completed a traditional teacher preparation program through an accredited college or university and taught for two full school years under a standard out-of-state teaching license in the subject(s) and grade level(s) listed on the out-of-state license in the state that issued the license. Substitute teaching will not meet this requirement. Educators who have not met the work experience requirement will need to complete the Ohio Resident Educator Program under their previously issued resident educator license in order to advance to the professional teaching license.
Instructions for Submitting Transcripts
Educators with reading or phonics coursework limitations on their resident educator licenses must submit their original, official university transcripts from an accredited college or university reflecting the completed coursework requirements with applications to renew or advance. Please review the Instructions for Submitting Transcripts and short video tutorial before scanning and uploading transcripts.
Background Checks
Candidates must have current background checks on file with the Ohio Department of Education.
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 3301-24-23
2ORC 3319.24
3OAC 3301-24-05
Last Modified: 5/9/2023 11:05:53 AM