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Certificate renewal

Certificate renewal

Professional learning on equity-based school practices equips educators to facilitate learning and growth for each and every student. Beginning July 1, 2023, teacher and administrator certificate renewal applications must include evidence of professional learning focused on equity-based school practices (HB 1426).

Teachers must complete 15 clock hours focused on equity-based school practices. Teachers who also hold STEM related endorsements must also complete 15 clock hours in STEM integration. Administrators must complete 10 clock hours on equity-based school practices, 10 clock hours on national educational leadership standards, and five clock hours on government-to-government relations with tribal nations. The new certificate renewal requirements may only be offered by legislatively designated providers. Educators must continue to meet existing certificate renewal requirements.

Learn more about certificate renewal requirements

View standards used by in-service educators to align their professional growth plans (PGP) for certificate renewal, and by clock hour providers to align their clock hour offerings.

When can clock hours or credits for certificate renewal be completed?

  • If you hold a certificate with a validity period of five years or more, clock hours or credits for renewal must be completed after the date your most recent certificate was issued by OSPI.
  • If you hold a certificate with a validity period of less than five years, clock hours or credits for certificate renewal must be completed within the five years prior to submitting your certificate renewal application.

Can an individual course, PGP, or other professional learning experience meet more than one of the certificate renewal requirements?

If a single PGP, clock hour course, or credit course meets more than one of the certificate renewal requirements, the educator may divide the hours among the requirements when recording the hours in OSPI eCertification.

In considering how many clock hours to designate towards one certificate renewal requirement, and how many towards another, educators should consider the content and focus of the professional learning experience, and can consult with the professional learning provider. Educators are required to maintain records of their professional learning.

Educators must complete the minimum required number of clock hours or credits in each separate certificate renewal requirement area: equity, educational leadership, government-to-government relations, and STEM.

Example

A teacher completes a course in culturally responsive STEM instruction and earns 15 clock hours. The professional learning meets the STEM requirement and is aligned to the CCDEI standards. The learning is offered by a legislatively designated provider.

The teacher could designate 10 hours towards meeting the STEM certificate renewal requirement and five hours towards meeting the equity certificate renewal requirement. The educator would need to complete additional hours in order to fully meet these certificate renewal requirements.

The educator would not be able to use 15 hours to meet one requirement, and the same 15 hours to meet another requirement.

How do I renew an expired certificate?

Educators may not serve with an expired certificate. To renew an expired certificate, an educator needs to:

  • Complete all certificate renewal requirements within the five years prior to the renewal application date
  • Submit documentation of the professional learning completed, such as clock hour forms or transcripts
  • Complete a character and fitness supplement (PDF), and a fingerprint background check, if the educator does not have another valid certificate, such as a lifetime substitute certificate

Can I continue to teach while I am renewing my expired certificate?

The transitional certificate allows holders of expired certificates to serve in their roles while completing the requirements to renew their certificates. The transitional certificate intends to enable school districts to employ individuals whose regular certificates have expired by June 30, 2022. (WAC 181-79A-231)

Transitional certificates may be issued for teachers, ESAs, or administrators whose certificates are subject to renewal under WAC 181-79A-240 and expire or lapse by June 30, 2022. Individuals whose continuing certificate has lapsed or expired continue to be eligible for transitional certificates.

More information about the transitional certificate is in this FAQ document.

How do I know if professional learning meets the requirements?

Professional learning providers are strongly encouraged, but not required, to provide information in course descriptions and other materials that an offering meets one of the certificate renewal requirements.

Educators themselves confirm they have met a specific certificate renewal requirement when they record the hours in OSPI eCertification. OSPI may audit educator records.

What if I am not currently employed as an educator? What if I live or work outside of the state?

Many professional learning providers provide online professional learning. ESDs in particular often provide online learning available to all educators. Find ESD professional learning on pdEnroller or on the ESD websites.

Educators can also meet the STEM, equity-based school practices, and educational leadership requirements with a professional growth plan (PGP) aligned to the relevant standards. Developing a PGP does not require employment or residency in Washington State. PGPs may only be reviewed by educators certified in Washington. Find out more on PGPs (document).

How do I record professional learning for certificate renewal?

Professional learning for certificate renewal can be recorded in OSPI eCertification. Educators are required to maintain their own records of professional learning. OSPI may audit educator records.

Any clock hours or credits which may be eligible for salary advancement must be submitted locally according to school district procedures.

Resources

If you are looking for individual certificate information, please visit the OSPI certification website. The following PESB materials can be used when presenting or teaching on the specific subject: