Renewal Requirements

If within five years after the issue date of the first initial license:

 
Submit a new application for a second initial license – no additional requirements.

If more than five years after the issued date of the first renewal of the initial license or if you have already held two initial licenses:

Complete one of the following:

1. Retake assessments

  • Initial teaching license - Content test and PLT
  • School specialists/leadership licenses  - Content test

OR

2. Eight hours of credit related to current endorsements on license

OR
 
3. One year of accredited experience
 
OR

4. Professional development points earned through a local professional development council:

  • Same as renewing a professional license
  • Points must be related to content or professional education standards
  • 120 points with if hold a graduate degree – no credit hours required
  • 160 points if at bachelor’s level – 80 of those points earned through credit hours

OR
 
5. Eight hours from an approved program

  • Teaching , school specialist or school leadership program

Professional Teaching, School Specialist or School Leadership Renewal

A five year professional license may be renewed by completing one of the following during the term of the professional license

1) If the applicant holds a graduate degree: Earn 120 professional development points awarded by a Kansas local professional development council under an approved individual development plan. If retired and participating in an educational retirement system, earn 60 professional development points.

OR

2) If the applicant does not hold a graduate degree: Earn 160 professional development points awarded by a Kansas local professional development council under an approved individual development plan, including at least 80 points for college credit. If retired and participating in an educational retirement system, earn 80 professional development points, including at least 40 points for college credit.

OR

3) If completing a program to add a new teaching, school specialist or school leadership endorsement, apply eight semester credit hours of the approved program towards renewal.

OR

4) Verify three years of accredited experience during the current professional license IF the applicant holds a graduate degree. This type of experience renewal may be used only twice in the applicant’s career. Choose “License Lookup” at www.ksde.org (Educators>Licensure) to check how many times this option has been accessed if eligible.

OR

5) Complete all components of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards assessment for National Board Certification.

OR

6) To move to an accomplished teaching license, achieve National Board Certification.

OR

7) Transitional License: If your initial, conditional or professional Kansas license is expired, you are eligible to apply for a one-year nonrenewable transitional license. The transitional license will allow you to accept a full-time job for one school year while you complete renewal requirements during that school year.

Substitute Renewal

50 professional development points awarded by a local Kansas Professional Development Council. 

I have a valid Kansas certificate but am no longer living in Kansas. What do I need to do to maintain my Kansas license??

Applicants living in Kansas:

AFTER SEPTEMBER 1, 2003 semester credit hours for renewal must have approval from a local professional development council (PDC) in a school district where you live or work.  Contact the local district office where you live or work for details.

Applicants living out-of-state:

If your Kansas certificate has expired you may be eligible to reinstate your Kansas license if you have been employed out-of-state in a state-accredited school system under a valid license or certificate for at least three of the last six years.  Contact Teacher Education and Licensure at 785-291-3678

If you have not been employed recently:

wait until you move back to Kansas and then work with a local professional development council to earn professional development points for renewal.

OR

if you want to maintain your Kansas license while living out-of-state, you may work through the Licensure Review Committee as your professional development council.  As a first step, you will need to complete a form to file an individual development plan with the Licensure Review Committee.  Contact Diana Stephan at 785-296-2280.

I held a 3 or five year certificate that is now expired, what do I need to do to renew?

Applicants living in Kansas:

AFTER SEPTEMBER 1, 2003 semester credit hours for renewal must have approval from a local professional development council (PDC) in a school district where you live or work.  Contact the local district office where you live or work for details.

Applicants living out-of-state:

If your Kansas certificate has expired you may be eligible to reinstate your Kansas license if you have been employed out-of-state in a state-accredited school system under a valid license or certificate for at least three of the last six years.  Contact Teacher Education and Licensure at 785-291-3678

If you have not been employed recently:

wait until you move back to Kansas and then work with a local professional development council to earn professional development points for renewal.

Office/Building Hours:
Monday through Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Send all mail to:

KSDE
Attention: Teacher Licensure
900 S.W. Jackson Street, Suite 102
Topeka, KS 66612-1212

Licensure Operator 

TLALicense@ksde.org
(785) 296-2288

Copyright 2024 by Kansas State Department of Education | 900 SW Jackson St. | Topeka, KS 66612 Privacy Statement  |  Terms Of Use  |  System Maintenance Notices  |  Open Records (PDF)

The Kansas State Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. (more information...)


To accommodate people with disabilities, on request, auxiliary aides and services will be provided and reasonable modifications to policies and programs will be made. To request accommodations or for more information please contact the Office of General Counsel at gc@ksde.org or by 785-296-3201.