Renewal of Teaching Certification

Once you obtain your initial Missouri teaching license, it is good for 4 years. To renew it, you have to fulfill specific conditions during those 4 years, including:

• Finalize 30 contact hours of PD
• Finalize two years of mentoring, determined by your school district
• Develop and implement a PD plan which is placed on file with your school district
• Participate in your district’s yearly performance-based assessment program

If you wish to upgrade your license to a Career-Continuous license, you have to complete 15 hours of PD each year and maintain a PD plan. You become exempt from reporting PD to the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education if you meet one of the following qualifications:

• Have 10 years of experience as a licensed teacher
• Earn the next highest college degree beyond your current
• Become nationally certified to teach

Teaching Certification Reinstatement

If you do not renew your Missouri teaching license, you can reinstate it by completing 24 hours of PD within 6 months of reactivating the license. If you stop teaching and return later, the school district that hires you will suggest PD activities and verify that you have fulfilled their recommendations.