Renewal

State certificates/licenses are typically issued at two levels. "Initial" licenses for new teachers are usually issued only once and are valid for about three years. Before an initial certificate/license expires, teachers must apply for a "standard" or "professional" certificate/license.

Licenses for veteran teachers are valid for five years and must be renewed before the certificate/license expires. To apply for a license renewal, teachers must typically complete a given amount of continuing education credits, although other options, such as earning a graduate degree or becoming National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certified, are also available in many states.

Links to SREB State and Related Resources

State Resource AL Alabama State Department of Education AR Arkansas Department of Education DE Delaware Department of Education FL Florida Department of Education GA Georgia Professional Standards Commission KY Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board LA TeachLouisiana MD Maryland State Department of Education MS Mississippi Department of Education NC North Carolina Department of Public Instruction OK Oklahoma Department of Education SC South Carolina Department of Education - Division of Teacher Quality TN Tennessee Department of Education TX Texas State Board for Educator Certification VA Virginia Department of Education WV West Virginia Department of Education