Licensure Facts

The Office of Educator Licensure would like to share these tidbits of licensure information with administrators.  Complete details of this information may be obtained by visiting our website or by contacting our office:

Office of Educator Licensure
P.O. Box 771
Jackson, MS 39205
Phone Number:  601-359-3483
Fax Number:  601-359-2778
Website:  http://www.mde.k12.ms.us

One-Year Educator License

A one-year educator license for an individual may be requested by a local school district.  If granted, this license is valid for use in the "requesting school district" only.  The "requesting school district" must notify the Office of Educator Licensure in writing if the individual does not accept employment in that district or leaves employment during the validity period of the license.  The application packed for the one-year educator license is available online at our website.

Alternate Route

The alternate route process that expired September 1, 2002, is no longer available except for those individuals who had met the degree and the testing requirements prior to that date.  Some individuals had earned the degree and passed the tests before September 1, 2002, but did not receive their Praxis score report(s) until after that date.  Those individuals may still apply for a license utilizing that process.  Other individuals wanting to obtain a license via the alternate route must choose from the following:

• MS Alternate Path to Quality Teachers (refer to pages 17-18 of guidelines)

• Teach MS Institute (refer to page 19 of guidelines)

• Master of Arts in Teaching (refer to page 20 of guidelines)

Visit our website often for updated information concerning the MS Alternate Path to Quality Teachers and the Teach MS Institute.

Renewal for Administrators

An administrator holding a non-practicing administrator license renews with either three (3) semester hours (minimum grade of "C" required) or five (5) continuing education units (CEUs).  The renewal credits must be in content or job/skill related area and earned during the validity period of the license.  Either an official transcript or the original CEU certificates must be submitted with an application.

When a non-practicing administrator is employed as a practicing administrator, submit an application requesting a non-renewable entry-level license valid for five (5) years.  The application is available online at our website.  The entry-level administrator must then contact the Office of Leadership Development and Enhancement at 601-359-3506 to complete requirements to convert to a career-level license.

A career-level administrator renews with either ninety-five (95) SEMI credits or completion of a higher degree in educational administration/leadership.  The renewal requirements must be completed within the validity period of the license.  Either verification of SEMI credits or an official transcript must be submitted with an application.

Renewal for Teachers (Standard Five-Year license)

Make certain your teachers understand the validity dates on their standard license.  Renewal credits must be earned between the Valid to dates.  For example, if a license is Valid from 7/1/1998 and Valid to 6/30/2003, renewal credits must be earned between those dates.  If one or more Valid from dates on the license begin in the future, wait until that date to begin earning credits.  For example, a license showing Valid from 7/1/2003 and Valid to 6/30/2008 has already been renewed for the current cycle.  Additional renewal credits should not be earned until after the next cycle begins on 7/1/2003.  In the future, all licenses that have been renewed will have a statement printed on the bottom telling the individual when to begin earning credits for the next renewal.

Remind your teachers that renewal credits are to be earned in their licensure area(s) (e.g., math, English, special education, etc.) or in an area that would enhance teaching and leadership skills (e.g., computer technology, curriculum development, methodology, etc.)
Renewal credits for teachers include semester hours, continuing education units (CEUs), and the National Board Certification process.  Teachers renew their license based on the highest class held.  For example, if a teacher holds a Class A and a Class AA educator license, he/she would complete Class AA renewal requirements.  They may choose a renewal method available for that class.

Class A Requirements        Ten (10) CEUs
                                         OR
                                         Three (3) semester hours and five (5) CEUs
                                         OR
                                         Six (6) semester hours
                                         OR
                                         Completion of the National Board of Professional Teaching        Standards process

Class AA, Class AAA,     Five (5) CEUs
and Class AAAA         OR
requirements                     Three (3) semester hours
                                           OR
                                        Completion of the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards process

Semester Hours:  If semester hours are used for renewal, the course work must be earned from a college/university that is accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.  All course work must have a grade of "C" or higher.  Some out-of-state institutions award credit in quarter hours.  Quarter hours are not equivalent to semester hours (1 quarter hour = 2/3 semester hour).  If renewing with semester hours, an official transcript in an envelope sealed by the college registrar must be submitted with an application.  Submit the application packet after all renewal credits are earned.

CEUs:  If CEUs are used for renewal, the certificates must include participant's name, title and date of activity, number of CEUs awarded, and name of organization/institution providing training.  Certificates of attendance or completion are not accepted unless they also include the above information.  Certificates stating the number of contact or professional development hours are not accepted unless they also include the above information.  Only a certified CEU provider may offer CEUs.  One (1) CEU requires ten (10) clock hours of instruction.  Certificates for less than 0.5 CEUs (5 clock hours of instruction) are not accepted.  A list of resources for obtaining CEUs is available online at our website.  The Office of Educator Licensure does not maintain a record of CEUs individuals have earned.  If renewing with CEUs, the original CEU certificates must be submitted with an application.  Submit the application packet when all renewal credits are earned.

National Board Certification Process:  If completion of the National Board Certification process is used for renewal, the renewal is for five (5) years even though the life of the National Board Certificate is ten (10) years.  Completion of the National Board Certification process may be used whether or not certification is achieved.  If renewing with completion of the National Board Certification process, a copy of verification of process completion from NBPTS must be submitted with an application for renewal.

During a renewal cycle, a license can be renewed only once.  All renewals are for five (5) years.  For example, a teacher holds a license that is valid from 7/1/2002 and valid to 6/30/2007.  He/she earns semester hours and/or CEUs and completes the National Board Certification process during this validity period.  The license will be renewed from 7/1/2007 to 6/30/2012.  The additional credits cannot be "banked" since, in this example, credits for further renewal must be earned after 7/1/2007.

All licensure requests (e.g., duplicate, renewal, supplemental endorsement, etc.) require an application.  The application is available online at our website.