State Requirements
Most states require teachers to complete continuing education or “clock hours” in order to keep their licenses valid. However, the specific requirements vary in every state, and can be confusing to decipher. The table below is best used only as a starting point in pursuing your continuing education. Be sure to check with your state’s agency regarding professional development and the related requirements for different types of teacher’s licenses.
STATE |
HOURS REQUIRED |
Alabama |
5 semester hours. (5-year license) |
Alaska |
6 semester or 9 quarter Hours (3 semester hours must be upper division or graduate level). (5-year license) |
Arizona |
180 clock hours or 12 semester hours. (6-year license) |
Arkansas |
60 clock hours per year. (5-year license) |
California |
Currently Clear Credential licenses can be renewed without verification of any professional development hours. Individual school districts may have specific requirements. (5-year license) |
Colorado |
6 Semester hours (90 clock hours). (5-year license) |
Connecticut |
18 clock hours annually. (8-year license) |
Delaware |
90 clock hours (6 semester hours). (Standard license not subject to renewal.) |
Florida |
6 semester hours. (5-year license) |
Georgia |
6 semester hours of approved college credit or 10 Georgia Professional learning units or 10 continuing education units. (5-year license) |
Hawaii |
Continuing education requirements not tied to license renewal. (5-year license) |
Idaho |
6 professional development credits. (5-year license) |
Illinois |
Bachelor’s degree holders: 120 hours. Master’s degree holders: 80 hours. (5-year license) Two or more advanced degrees: 40 hours. National Board Teacher: 40 hours. |
Indiana |
6 semester hours. (5-year license) |
Iowa |
6 semester hours. (5-year license) |
Kansas |
Non-graduate degree holders: 160 clock hours. Graduate degree holders: 120 clock hours. (5-year license) |
Kentucky |
Renewal of first five-year license: 15 graduate semester hours or one-half of CEO requirements. Renewal after second five-year license period: completion of Master’s degree or completion of CEO requirements. (5-year license) |
Louisiana |
150 clock hours. (5-year license) |
Maine |
6 semester hours in each certification area. (5-year license) |
Maryland |
6 semester hours. (5-year license) |
Massachusetts |
150 Professional Development Points plus 30 PDP’s for each additional licensure. (5-year license) |
Michigan |
6 semester hours at college or university or 180 clock hours of State Board Continuing Education Credits or a combination of both. (5-year license) |
Minnesota |
125 clock hours of locally-approved education. (5-year license) |
Mississippi |
6 semester hours of college credit or 10 Continuing Education Units, or 3 semester hours and 5 CEU’s. (5-year license) |
Missouri |
30 contact hours annually. (4-year license) |
Montana |
4 semester hours or combination of semester hours and Office of Public Instruction renewal units. (5-year license) |
Nebraska |
6 semester hours.(5-year license) |
Nevada |
6 semester hours. (5-year license) |
New Hampshire |
Requirements vary by school district. (5-year license) |
New Jersey |
Requirements vary by school district. (Standard teacher’s license does not require renewal.) |
New Mexico |
New Mexico employs a three-tier licensing system. Professional development requirements vary according to tier. (5-year license) |
New York |
175 professional development hours per five-year block. (Standard license does not expire as long as professional development requirements are met.) |
North Carolina |
7.5 renewal credits. (5-year license) |
North Dakota |
6 semester hours. (5-year license) |
Ohio |
6 semester hours or 180 continuing education contact hours. (5-year license) |
Oklahoma |
75 clock hours. (5-year license) |
Oregon |
125 Professional Development Units (1 colleges semester hour = 30 PDU’s. (5-year license) |
Pennsylvania |
6 semester hours or 6 DOE service credits or 180 continuing education hours or combination of above. (5-year professional development block.) |
Rhode Island |
Professional development is not mandatory on the state level. However, requirements may exist on the district level. |
South Carolina |
120 renewal credits. (5-year license) |
South Dakota |
6 semester hours.(5-year license) |
Tennessee |
Ten year license holders: 90 renewal points/Five year license holders: 45 renewal points. (1 college semester hour = 15 renewal points/1 CEU = 10 renewal points) Note: these requirements change effective 9-1-15 |
Texas |
150 clock hours. 5-year license) |
Utah |
Requirements vary according to teacher’s “Professional Learning Plan”. (5-year license) |
Vermont |
9 professional development credits (135 clock hours). (7-year license) |
Virginia |
180 professional development points. (1 college semester hour = 30 points.) (5-year license) |
Washington |
100 clock hours (5-year license) |
West Virginia |
6 semester hours. (5-year license) |
Wisconsin |
Requirements vary according to individual teacher Professional Development Plan. (5-year license) |
Wyoming |
5 Professional Development/Renewal Credits. (5-year license) |