OH certification
Ohio teacher certification
Teaching credentials in Ohio
Each row is a credential Ohio reported to Title II. Initial means a first credential for a new teacher. Years is the length of validity.
| Credential | Initial | Years | Renewable | Grade levels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-Hour & 40-Hour Temporary Teaching Permits | Yes | 1 | Yes | PK-12, PK-12, PK-12 |
| 3-Year Visiting International Teaching License | Yes | 3 | No | PK-5, 4-9, 7-12 |
| Alternative Montessori Resident Educator License | Yes | 4 | No | PK-12, PK-12 |
| Alternative Resident Educator License | Yes | 4 | Yes | K-12, K-12, K-12 |
| Associate License | Yes | 5 | Yes | PK-5, PK-12 |
| Career-Technical Workforce Development | Yes | 2 | No | 4-12 |
| Early College High School License | No | 4 | No | 9-12 |
| Interim Resident Educator License | Yes | 1 | Yes | PK-8, 4-9, 7-12 |
| Lead Professional Educator License - 5 Year | No | 5 | Yes | PK-5, 4-9, 7-12 |
| One-Year-Out-of-State Educator License | Yes | 1 | No | PK-5, 4-9, 7-12 |
| Professional License | No | 5 | Yes | PK-5, 4-9, 7-12 |
| Resident Educator License | Yes | 2 | Yes | PK-5, 4-9, 7-12 |
| Senior Professional Educator License - 5 Year | No | 5 | Yes | PK-5, 4-9, 7-12 |
| Substitute Teaching License - 1 Year | No | 1 | Yes | Not reported |
| Substitute Teaching License - 5 Year | No | 5 | Yes | PK-3, 4-9, 7-12 |
| Supplemental Teaching License | No | 1 | Yes | PK-5, 4-9, 7-12 |
| Temporary Military License | No | 3 | Yes | PK-5, 4-9, 7-12 |
Requirements
Yes means the state reports the item as required for that credential. Tests shows only whether tests are required; Title II does not name the tests.
| Credential | Bachelor's | Master's | Education degree | Prep program | Tests | Performance assessment | Clinical | Coursework | Credit hours | Min. GPA | Transcripts | Employment | Mentoring | Recency | Background check | Fingerprint | Police check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-Hour & 40-Hour Temporary Teaching Permits | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| 3-Year Visiting International Teaching License | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Alternative Montessori Resident Educator License | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Alternative Resident Educator License | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Associate License | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Career-Technical Workforce Development | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Early College High School License | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Interim Resident Educator License | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lead Professional Educator License - 5 Year | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| One-Year-Out-of-State Educator License | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Professional License | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Resident Educator License | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Senior Professional Educator License - 5 Year | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Substitute Teaching License - 1 Year | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Substitute Teaching License - 5 Year | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Supplemental Teaching License | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Temporary Military License | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Verify a teaching license in Ohio
Teaching licenses in Ohio are verified on the lookup service run by Ohio Department of Higher Education. Search there by the teacher's name or certificate number to see current status.
PT3 does not verify licenses and holds no records of individual teachers.
Renewal
Renew times is how many times the credential can be renewed; renewal years is the length of each renewal.
| Credential | Renewable | Renew times | Renewal years | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-Hour & 40-Hour Temporary Teaching Permits | Yes | 99 | 1 | Educators should not apply for a 12-hour or 40-hour permit (new or renewal) through the State Board of Education's online system until they have completed the steps below; otherwise, the application may be declined. STEP 1: Meet education or work experience requirements for the permit. Candidates must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in OR significant work experience in the subject area to be taught. STEP 2: Contact a school or district. Candidates should not apply for this license (new or renewal) through the State Board of Education's online system until they have completed the following; otherwise, the application may be declined. Candidates must: - Complete the employment process at the Ohio school district, STEM school or dropout prevention and recovery community school where they are interested in teaching. - Notify the employing school or district and request the employer’s IRN to use in the online application; the organization’s e-signer must approve the permit application. STEP 3: Complete background checks. All applicants must have current background checks on file with the State Board of Education. STEP 4: Prepare documents to submit with the application. Educators must submit the following documents through their OH|ID account with the online application in order to be evaluated for the temporary permit. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR EMTS & FIREFIGHTERS EMT/Firefighter certification. Applicants must provide verification of their active Ohio EMS certification(s) and instructor card(s). EMT requires: An active Ohio EMS certification for EMT, AEMT or Paramedic, AND An active Ohio EMS Instructor card (CE Instructor and Assistant EMS Instructor are not eligible). Firefighter Training requires: An active Ohio EMS certification for Firefighter I or II, AND An active Ohio EMS Fire Instructor card (Assistant Firefighter Instructor and Fire Safety Instructor are not eligible). The Live Fire Instructor card is eligible only if the candidate also holds an active Ohio EMS Fire Instructor card. STEP 5: Complete and submit the online application. |
| 3-Year Visiting International Teaching License | No | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Alternative Montessori Resident Educator License | No | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Alternative Resident Educator License | Yes | 99 | 4 | The license holder has completed less than two years of the Ohio Resident Educator Program; or The license holder has completed more than two years of the teacher residency program, but (1) The license has lapsed to the point that a two-year extension would not bring the license current; or (2)The license holder does not anticipate being able to complete the remainder of the residency program within an amount of time that could be accommodated by a one- or two-year extension. The license holder must also complete three semester hours of coursework related to classroom teaching and/or area of licensure from an accredited two-year or four-year institution of higher education. Coursework needs to be completed prior to September 1 of the year of expiration of the license to be renewed, or the renewal requirement increases to six semester hours. |
| Associate License | Yes | 99 | 5 | 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. In accordance with the approved plan, the educator must complete: -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. |
| Career-Technical Workforce Development | No | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Early College High School License | No | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Interim Resident Educator License | Yes | 2 | 1 | District requests that license be renewed |
| Lead Professional Educator License - 5 Year | Yes | 99 | 5 | -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 and approved by the Local Professional Development Committee (LPDC) of the employing school or school district; OR -Eighteen continuing education units (180 contact hours) or other equivalent activities related to classroom teaching or area of licensure, completed after the last issue date of the expiring license and approved by the Local Professional Development Committee (LPDC) of the employing school or school district; AND -Demonstration of meeting the criteria for the distinguished level of performance described in the Ohio Standards for the Teaching Profession through either of the following two methods: -National Board certification (must have active status), OR -Master Teacher designation. Educators who hold an active Teacher Leader endorsement must maintain current designation as a Master Teacher in accordance with the definition and criteria for a Master Teacher and complete the Master Teacher designation renewal process. |
| One-Year-Out-of-State Educator License | No | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Professional License | Yes | 99 | 5 | If renewal requirements are met the five year license may be renewed an unlimited number of times. All renewals require 6 semester hours of coursework or 18 continuing education units or other equivalent activities related to classroom teaching and/or the area of licensure as approved by the local professional development committee of the employing school or school district. For individuals not currently employed in an Ohio public school or district, chartered non-public school or community school: Coursework Requirements For Renewal Applicants should select coursework related to classroom teaching and/or area of licensure. Coursework must be completed at an accredited college or university. Dates of coursework: Applicants who wish to renew their licenses must have completed coursework after the issue date of the license they wish to renew. Course requirements for currently expiring licenses: Complete six semester hours of coursework related to classroom teaching and/or area of licensure from an accredited two-year or four-year institution of higher education. Coursework needs to be completed prior to September 1 of the year of expiration of the license to be renewed or the renewal requirement increases to nine semester hours. Course requirements for licenses that have lapsed for up to five years: Complete nine semester hours of coursework related to classroom teaching and/or area of licensure from an accredited two-year or four-year institution of higher education. Course requirements for licenses that have lapsed more than five years: Complete twelve semester hours of coursework related to classroom teaching and/or area of licensure from an accredited two-year or four-year institution of higher education. If, during the lapsed period of the certificate, the certificate holder is continuously employed under another valid Ohio certificate or license, or as an educator in another state under a currently valid certificate or license, then the renewal provisions for a currently expiring license applies. |
| Resident Educator License | Yes | 3 | 1 | Ohio Administrative Code: 3301-24-04: (C) If the resident educator does not successfully complete the performance-based assessment on their initial attempt, the resident educator shall be required to retake the performance-based assessment. If the resident educator is not able to successfully complete the performance-based assessment within two years from the date their license was first issued, a one year extension of the resident educator license or alternative resident educator license may be issued to provide the resident educator additional time to successfully complete the performance based assessment subject to the total number of attempts as described in paragraph (D) of this rule. The resident educator must take the performance-based assessment under the extension. (D) Beginning July 1, 2018, the resident educator shall be permitted no more than three total attempts to successfully complete the performance-based assessment. A resident educator who fails to successfully complete the performance-based assessment after three total attempts, subject to the exception in paragraph (E) of this rule, will be permanently ineligible to advance to a professional license in the respective area(s), or any renewal or extension of the resident educator license(s) or alternative resident educator license(s). (E) Notwithstanding the foregoing, resident educators who have already attempted the performance-based assessment three or more times prior to July 1, 2018, may be issued a one year extension of their license to provide one final attempt to successfully complete the performance-based assessment. |
| Senior Professional Educator License - 5 Year | Yes | 99 | 1 | Ohio Administrative Code 3301-24-25: (1) Six semester hours of coursework related to classroom teaching and/or the area of licensure, completed since the issuance of the license to be renewed, as approved by the local professional development committee of the employing school or school district; or (2) Eighteen continuing education units (one hundred eighty contact hours) or other equivalent activities related to classroom teaching and/or the area of licensure, completed since the issuance of the license to be renewed, as approved by the local professional development committee of the employing school or school district; and (3) Demonstration of meeting the criteria for the accomplished or distinguished level of performance described in the Ohio standards for the teaching profession adopted by the state board of education under section 3319.61 of the Revised Code by maintaining current designation as a master teacher in accordance with the definition and criteria for a master teacher adopted by the state board of education under section 3319.61 of the Revised Code and the master teacher designation renewal process . |
| Substitute Teaching License - 1 Year | Yes | 99 | 5 | OAC 3301-23-44(E)(3) A one-year substitute license may be renewed on the recommendation of the superintendent of the employing district. The short term substitute license does not have license type or teaching fields. |
| Substitute Teaching License - 5 Year | Yes | 99 | 5 | OAC 3301-23-44 (3) A five-year substitute license may be renewed on the recommendation of the superintendent of the employing district. For the Intervention Specialist license (either PK to Grade 12 or K-12, depending upon specific area) - 12 semester hours in special education is required. This license may be issued only as a one-year license, new or renewal. When renewing this substitute license, the applicant must have an additional six semester hours in a program leading to intervention specialist licensure. |
| Supplemental Teaching License | Yes | 2 | 1 | An additional six semester hours of coursework in a program leading to licensure in the area in which the supplemental teaching license is held. Successful completion of the subject assessment test is required for the first renewal of the supplemental teaching license for applicable subject areas. |
| Temporary Military License | Yes | 1 | 3 | A three-year temporary military license may be renewed one time, provided the educator still meets initial requirements at the time of renewal. |
Emergency and temporary credentials
| Credential | Initial | Years | Renewable | Grade levels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-Hour & 40-Hour Temporary Teaching Permits | Yes | 1 | Yes | PK-12, PK-12, PK-12 |
| One-Year-Out-of-State Educator License | Yes | 1 | No | PK-5, 4-9, 7-12 |
| Temporary Military License | No | 3 | Yes | PK-5, 4-9, 7-12 |
Out-of-state teachers
| Credential | Initial | Years | Renewable | Grade levels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-Year-Out-of-State Educator License | Yes | 1 | No | PK-5, 4-9, 7-12 |
Newly licensed teachers prepared out of state: 398.
Substitute teaching
| Credential | Initial | Years | Renewable | Grade levels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Substitute Teaching License - 1 Year | No | 1 | Yes | Not reported |
| Substitute Teaching License - 5 Year | No | 5 | Yes | PK-3, 4-9, 7-12 |
Alternative routes
- Alternative Resident Educator Institute (teach while completing)
About Ohio certification
There are 13 public and 36 independent Ohio institutions of higher education approved to offer programs that lead to an Ohio License.
Under the authority of the State Board of Education of Ohio, a performance-based licensure system has been established. Teacher preparation programs in each licensure area must be developed, reviewed, approved, and implemented according to the standards of the national specialized professional associations or state standards and must incorporate Kindergarten through Grade 12 Ohio learning standards adopted by the State Board of Education of Ohio. In addition to other state requirements the Ohio Teacher Education and Licensure Standards are sections of the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) and Ohio Revised Code (ORC) that establish requirements for educator licensing. These standards include requirements for obtaining and maintaining all available types of educator licenses, certificates and permits issued by the Ohio Department of Education, including teaching, administration and pupil services areas, alternative and supplemental licenses, and credentials for substitute teaching, paraprofessionals, and coaches.
Educator licensure examinations provided by Evaluation Systems group of Pearson and the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) are required for issuance of the initial 2-year resident educator license. Teachers holding the initial resident educator license must complete a 2-year program that meets their professional development requirements.
All teachers who hold a professional license are expected to continually update and improve their skills. Each teacher must develop a professional development plan that meets the requirements of the license. This plan is approved by the school’s or district’s local professional development committee.
Ohio also has standards for the teaching profession and for professional development. The Ohio Standards for the Teaching Profession are designed to guide teachers as they reflect upon and improve their effectiveness throughout their careers. The Ohio Standards of Professional Development present a view of effective professional development as an ongoing, systematic process, based on data, and linked to the daily practices of educators.
The Ohio Department of Higher Education is the coordinating agency for higher education in Ohio. The agency’s main responsibilities include authorizing and approving new degree programs, managing state-funded financial aid programs and developing and advocating policies to maximize higher education’s contributions to the state and its citizens. It also provides higher education policy advice to the Governor of Ohio and the Ohio General Assembly; develops a strategy involving Ohio's public and independent colleges and universities; advocates for and manages state funds for public colleges; and coordinates and implements state higher education policies. The department advocates for and recommends how to best direct the state's investment in higher education; work with the State Board of Education of Ohio and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce to develop a seamless primary, secondary and higher education system to prepare citizens for the challenges of the 21st century; authorize and approve new degree programs; manage state-funded financial aid programs for students; and develop and advocate policies to maximize higher education's contributions to the state and its citizens. In addition to approving the teacher preparation programs, the Ohio Department of Higher Education, has responsibilities for developing an annual report on the Condition of Higher Education in Ohio.
How to become a teacher in OhioOhio teacher preparation providers
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a teaching certificate in Ohio?
Ohio reports 17 credentials to Title II, 9 of them initial. 6 initial credentials require a bachelor's degree, 5 require a preparation program and 6 require tests. Apply through Ohio Department of Higher Education.
How do I verify a teaching license in Ohio?
Licenses are verified on the lookup service run by Ohio Department of Higher Education. PT3 does not verify licenses.
Can I renew a Ohio teaching certificate?
12 of 17 Ohio credentials are reported as renewable. Renewal details by credential are listed in the Renewal section.
Does Ohio issue emergency or temporary teaching certificates?
Yes. Title II lists 3: 12-Hour & 40-Hour Temporary Teaching Permits; One-Year-Out-of-State Educator License; Temporary Military License.
Can I teach in Ohio with an out-of-state license?
Ohio lists 1 credential for out-of-state teachers: One-Year-Out-of-State Educator License.
Is there alternative teacher certification in Ohio?
Yes. Ohio reports 1 alternative route to Title II.