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Licensure
1122 W. Campus Road
Joseph R. Pearson Hall, Rm 211
Lawrence, KS 66045-3101
phone: (785) 864-9602abranham@ku.edu
Renewal requirements will vary, depending on whether you have a "certificate" or a "license", and whether it is current or expired.
Renewal forms, with several pages of instructions, may be downloaded from http://www.ksde.org under Educators, Licensure, Applications. Renewals are sent to KSDE, not to KU, unless you are adding an endorsement at the same time. If you have specific renewal questions, please call KSDE at 785-291-3678. They are the authorities on renewals.
If you simply need to renew a Conditional (initial) License, use the Form 20 from the KSDE web site.
If you need to renew your existing license and add an endorsement at the same time, you’ll need hardcopy forms for both processes. By sending hardcopy applications together, you will only pay one $39.00 fee, which saves you money! Contact Alisa to get the hardcopy Form 1 to add the endorsement in this situation and download the appropriate renewal form from the KSDE web site.
Certificates may be renewed several ways, usually with recent teaching experience, college credit or professional development points. If you’ve been teaching in an accredited school at a proper subject and level, you can renew by having your employer sign the "verification of accredited experience" form in the renewal packet. If you currently hold a 3-year standard certificate and have been teaching two years, it is VERY important that you use the experience option for your next renewal and UPGRADE to the 5-year Professional License. If you haven’t been teaching, you’ll need 8 hours of credit to renew. Credit must be "recent" (completed in the past 6 years), junior level or higher, and in education, your subject area, or something for which you’re adding an endorsement (such as ESOL). If you are using the credit option, you’ll need to order a transcript (showing the grades from the courses) from the KU Registrar – find the order form at www.registrar.ku.edu.
By around 2011, most teachers will have been transitioned to a "license" by KSDE. Here is a basic comparison:
| Old certification system | New licensure system | |
|---|---|---|
| Initial | 3-year Standard Certificate | 2-year Conditional (called Initial starting fall 2008) License |
| Advanced | 5-year Standard Certificate | 5-year Professional License |
If you already hold a 5-year certificate or upgrade your 3-year teaching certificate to the 5-year License with the next renewal, you should not have to complete a "performance assessment."
Local Professional Development Councils (PDCs) will play a large role in the licensure renewal process in the future. Renewal plans, which may include credit hours or professional development points, will have to be approved by a local PDC. Unemployed teachers will get plans approved by their local schools. Although this adds a layer of bureaucracy (and more time) to the process, KSDE would argue that PDC approval will lend greater credibility as well.
Let us know if you have questions! We learn from your questions. Contact Alisa Branham, KU Licensure Officer, at abranham@ku.edu. –updated February 2009
