How do I renew, update or extend my current teaching certificate in Missouri?

In order to renew your current teaching certificate, you need to work with the school district you are working for.  Someone at your school (usually the Principal or Superintendent) will work with you to make sure you have met all requirements to renew your certificate and will submit paperwork to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in Jefferson City DESE to renew your certificate.  Need the forms?  Click here to find the paperwork necessary to renew, update or request an extension of your certificate.

 

What if my current certificate is expired?

If your current certificate has expired, you can "re-activate" your certificate by completing 24 contact hours of Professional Development within 6 months prior to or after the re-activation of your certificate.  This is typically completed by enrolling in a 2-3 credit hour graduate level course at a college or university.

 For more information on re-activating your certificate, click here to visit the DESE website that discusses this topic.

I heard there are new levels of certification.  How do they work?

If you are currently working under a lifetime certificate, nothing will change for you.  If you are under the PCI, PCII, PCIII system, you will be moved into the new system when it is time for you to renew your certificate.  Your school district and DESE will work with you on this.  If you are getting your first teaching certificate, you are under the new certification classification system.  Click here to review the DESE rule regarding the new system.  For information regarding changes in the old system and transferring from the old to the new you need to contact the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in Jefferson City at 573-751-3486.  They will guide you through the process.

2.  Apply for the post-bac teacher certification at Missouri State, and allow us to do a course-by-course analysis of the coursework you took in another program.  We will accept what we can, but may or may not accept all of your education coursework.  You will then take courses to complete OUR approved program for certification and we will then submit you to DESE for certification in Missouri.  If you only have a few education courses from another state, this may be a good option. However, if you are only a course or two away, you will want to finish the program in your home state.   

I need to take a professional development course to renew my certificate.  Who do I contact?

Professional development opportunities are available through our BEARS program.  You will contact Laura McCullough at 417-836-5253 for more information on these courses, or ask your principal or superintendent. They should have information on our latest offerings.