Rule 3301-24-08 | Professional or associate license renewal.
(A) The professional or associate educator license is valid for five years and may be renewed by individuals currently employed in a school or school district upon verification that the requirements listed in paragraph (A)(1) or (A)(2) of this rule have been completed since the issuance of the license to be renewed.
(1) Six semester hours of coursework 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; 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 as approved by the local professional development committee of the employing school or school district.
(a) Each public school district and chartered nonpublic school shall appoint a local professional development committee to oversee and review professional development plans for coursework, continuing education units, or other equivalent activities. School districts shall have the option of collaborating with other districts or educational service centers in establishing and completing the work of the local professional development committee. Chartered nonpublic schools shall also have the option of collaborating with other schools in establishing and completing the work of the local professional development committee.
(b) Each educator wishing to fulfill the license renewal requirements is responsible for the design of an individual professional development plan, subject to approval of the local professional development committee. The plan shall be based on the needs of the educator, the students, the school, and the school district, and shall be aligned with the various professional educator standards adopted by the state board of education. Professional development may then be completed in accordance with this plan.
(c) Each school district shall establish a local appeal process for educators who wish to appeal the decision of the local professional development committee.
(d) Coursework or continuing education units or other equivalent activities may be combined.
(B) Educators not employed in Ohio schools may apply directly to the Ohio department of education for renewal of an Ohio issued credential with evidence of six semester hours of coursework related to classroom teaching and/or the area of licensure. Educators not employed in Ohio schools wishing to fulfill the licensure renewal requirements of six semester hours of coursework, eighteen continuing education units (one hundred eighty contact hours), or other equivalent activities, shall be responsible for the design of an individual professional development plan subject to review and approval of a regional provider with an Ohio department of education approved local professional development committee. The local professional development committee so approved shall review, approve, and recommend the licensure renewal subject to the Ohio department of education guidelines for all local professional development committees ("Resource Guide for Establishing an LPDC," September 2018, education.ohio.gov).
(C) A professional or associate license that has lapsed due to not meeting the professional development requirements as described in this rule may be reinstated upon completion of nine semester hours of coursework relevant to classroom teaching and/or the area of licensure since the issuance of the license to be renewed. If, during the lapsed period of the license, the license 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 in paragraphs (A) and (B) of this rule shall apply.
(D) The school audiologist, school social worker, school speech-language pathologist, school nurse, occupational therapist, physical therapist, occupational therapy assistant, and physical therapy assistant licenses shall be renewed upon evidence of a currently valid license issued by the respective Ohio licensure board. The school counselor and school psychologist licenses may be renewed upon evidence of a currently valid license issued by the respective Ohio licensure board, if a board license is held. If a board license is not held then the school counselor and school psychologist licenses shall be renewed in accordance with the requirements specified in paragraphs (A) to (D) of this rule.
(E) Coursework for the renewal of a license shall be completed at an accredited institution of higher education. All coursework should lead to new knowledge in the licensure area and be related to student achievement, success or wellness.
(F) The increased amount of coursework associated with lapsed licenses will not apply provided that the license holder completes the required six semester hours and submits a renewal application by October first of the year that the professional license expires.
(G) Educators who have earned national board certification during the life of a professional license are deemed to have met the additional professional development requirements for the next renewal cycle.
(H) Educators who meet the state board definition of consistently high-performing teacher are exempt from the requirement to complete any additional coursework for the renewal of a professional educator license issued under section 3319.22 or 3319.26 of the Revised Code for the next renewal cycle as outlined in paragraphs (A)(1) and (A)(2) of this rule. Consistently high-performing teachers are also exempt from any requirements prescribed by professional development committees established under paragraphs (F) and (G) of this rule.
(1) A consistently high performing teacher is defined as a teacher who has received the highest final summative rating, as defined by sections 3319.111 and 3319.112 of the Revised Code where applicable, for at least four of the past five years; and
(2) Who meets at least one of the following additional criteria for at least three of the five years during the current licensure cycle: holds a valid senior or lead professional educator license; holds a locally recognized teacher leadership role which enhances educational practices by providing professional learning experiences at district, regional, state or higher educational level; serves in a leadership role for a national or state professional academic education organization; serves on a state level committee supporting education; or receives state or national educational recognition or award.
(I) A one-year non-renewable reinstatement license, valid in the same grade levels and curriculum areas for which the individual holds an expired professional or associate license, may be issued upon the request of an employing Ohio school district to a qualified individual who:
(1) Is deemed to be of good moral character; and
(2) Holds a professional or associate license eligible to be renewed in accordance with the requirements specified in paragraph (C) of this rule and has been expired for at least one year from the effective date of the reinstatement license.
(J) The holder of a one-year non-renewable reinstatement license is responsible for the design of an individual professional development plan, subject to approval of the local professional development committee, to ensure that, prior to the expiration of the one-year non-renewable reinstatement license, the applicant completes one of the following:
(1) Nine semester hours of coursework 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 completed prior to the issuance of the license to be renewed; or
(2) Twenty- seven continuing education units (two hundred seventy contact hours) 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 completed prior to the issuance of the license to be renewed.
Last updated April 15, 2024 at 11:52 AM
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