How to Renew a Five-Year Professional, Advanced or Associate License

Educators who hold a professional, advanced or associate license must meet requirements to renew their license(s) under Ohio law¹.

Requirements for Currently Expiring Licenses

Educators Currently Employed in an Ohio School, District or educational service center

Educators currently employed in an Ohio public school or district, chartered non-public school, community school or educational service center (ESC) are responsible for the design of an Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP), subject to the approval of the Local Professional Development Committee (LPDC). The IPDP should be based on the needs of the educator, the students, the school and the school district, and be aligned with the professional educator standards adopted by the State Board of Education.

• Six semester hours of coursework related to classroom teaching or area of licensure; or
• 18 continuing education units (CEUs) (180 contact hours); or
• Other equivalent activities related to classroom teaching or the area of licensure as approved by the Local Professional Development Committee of the employing school, district or agency since the issuance of the license to be renewed.

Coursework, CEUs or other equivalent activities may be combined.

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.

Please note that professional license holders who have earned national board certification since their last renewal may renew their currently expiring license(s) with verification of their valid national board license.

Educators Not Currently Employed in an Ohio School, District or educational service center

Educators not currently employed in an Ohio public school or district, chartered non-public school, community school or ESC must renew with one of the following options:

Coursework 

• 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. 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.

Please note that the Department DOES NOT pre-approve coursework. 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.

previously completed professional development

Educators who earned CEUs or contact hours approved by their former Ohio school, district or  ESC after the last issue date of the expiring license must submit the Department’s Educator Leaving an LPDC Verification form, completed by the LPDC, with the online renewal application. Other CEU certificates or forms will not be accepted to verify professional development. 

OUT-OF-STATE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Out-of-state educators who hold an Ohio professional license and are currently employed under their standard, out-of-state teaching license(s) may renew with the professional development they completed to renew their out-of-state license(s). Educators must meet Ohio's renewal coursework requirements if the state in which are licensed does not require completion of coursework or professional development for renewal. The following documents are required with the online renewal application:

• Verification of out-of-state teaching experience. The out-of-state school or district human resources director or superintendent must complete and submit the Work Experience Verification form directly to the Department. School personnel may either email the completed form to educator.licensure@education.ohio.gov or mail it (originals only) to: 

  Ohio Department of Education
  Office of Educator Licensure
  25 S. Front Street
  Mail Stop 504
  Columbus, OH 43215

• Out-of-state teaching license. Educators must submit their valid, standard teaching license(s) issued by the state in which they have been teaching; and
• Coursework or (CEUs). Educators must submit official college or university transcripts reflecting the completion of renewal coursework since the issue date of the expiring Ohio license, or a summary of the CEUs related to classroom teaching or the area of licensure completed since the issue date of the out-of-state license (completion of state-mandated renewal coursework or other professional development is required). The summary must be in letter format, on district letterhead, and signed and dated by employing school district or human resources office. The summary letter must also indicate the renewal requirements (coursework or professional development) for that state.

License Holders with Reading or Phonics Coursework Limitations

Educators who have reading or phonics limitations listed on their license(s) must complete all required coursework in the teaching of reading and phonics before renewing or advancing that license. Educators must submit their official transcripts from an accredited college or university reflecting the completed coursework requirements with the online application.

Consistently High Performing Teacher License Renewal

Educators with professional, lead professional or 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. 

Expired Licenses

Educators with expired licenses must complete the following requirements:

• Coursework:  Nine semester hours of coursework related to classroom teaching or area of licensure from an accredited two-year or four-year institution of higher education.
• Background checks: Educators must have current background checks on file with the Department.

Please note that renewal requirements for a currently expiring license apply to educators continuously employed under another valid, standard Ohio certificate or license, or as an educator in another state under a currently valid certificate or license.

Instructions for Submitting Official Transcripts

• Educators who prefer to mail their original, official transcripts, must use the following address: 

  Ohio Department of Education
  Office of Educator Licensure
  25 S. Front Street
  Mail Stop 504
  Columbus, OH 43215

• Coursework completed outside the United States. Educators who completed college coursework outside the United States must provide a course-by-course analysis from a Department approved international credential evaluation service. 

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

• Background Check FAQs
• Fees for Licensure Applications
• Lead Professional Educator Licenses
• Licensure Alignment FAQs
• LPDC Frequently Asked Questions
• Senior Professional Educator Licenses

¹ORC 3319.22 and OAC 3301-24-08

Last Modified: 4/3/2023 1:01:10 PM