Completing an Application for Additional Teaching Certificates

Instructions for adding certification through Missouri Content Assessment (MoCA)

Please begin by visiting the Missouri Deparment of Education.

    • Click "Educator Certification" in the center of the page.
    • From this page, click on "Educator Certification System" in the center of the page. You can also click on "Web Application" on the lower right. Both will take you to the login screen.
    • Enter your DESE User Name and Password and click "login"
    • Under the Heading "DESE Web Applications", click on "Educator Certification System".
  1. New Applications (Click the “black triangle” to the left of #3):
    • Click “Additional”. Note: There is a pop-up window that will provide additional information. You should allow pop-ups from the DESE website.
    • Review your profile information and edit if needed.
    • Review your Education information. Update if needed with recent coursework.
    • Professional Conduct Section: You must answer all 4 questions.
    • Type of Application
      • Select adding additional certification through Missouri Content Assessment (MoCA).
      • Enter the subject area/grade level of the certificate you are adding.
      • If the Missouri Content Assessment (MoCA) score that you are using to add certification appears on this application, you will not need to submit a score report to DESE. If your score does not appear, you will be required to submit a score report to DESE via US mail.
    • You will need to pay the $35.00 fee online before you can continue this application
    • Read the Sworn Statement
    • Release of Educational Information: Check “I Accept”.
    • Click “Submit to DESE”
    • Click “OK”
    You have finished your application and may now log out of the system.

Your application will automatically be submitted to the DESE work log. You will receive a confirmation email to the email address in your DESE profile when your application has been processed.

Instructions for adding certification through Coursework

The first step to adding certification through coursework is to request an analysis of your transcript by DESE. This is done by submitting an Application for Additional Certificate of License to Teach. By following the instructions below, you will actually be requesting that DESE review your transcripts to determine your deficiencies.

Please begin by visiting the Missouri Deparment of Education.
  1. Click “Educator Certification” in the center of the page.
  2. From this page, click on "Educator Certification System" in the center of the page.
  3. Enter your User Name and Password and click "login"
  4. Under the Heading "Office of Educator Quality", click on "Licensure".
  5. New Applications (Click the “black triangle” to the left of #3):
    • Click “Additional”. Note: There is a pop-up window that will provide additional information. You should allow pop-ups from the DESE website.
    • Review your profile information and edit if needed.
    • Review your Education information. Update if needed with recent coursework.
    • Professional Conduct Section: You must answer all 4 questions.
    • Type of Application
      • Select adding additional certification utilizing coursework.
      • Enter the subject area/grade level of the certificate you are adding.
    • You will have to pay the $35.00 fee before you can continue and submit this application.
    • Read the Sworn Statement
    • Release of Educational Information: Check “I Accept”.
    • Click “Submit to DESE”
    • Click “OK”
    You will now need to write a letter to DESE requesting that they review your transcripts already on file for certification in the area you indicated on your application. If you have completed any coursework that does not appear on the transcripts already in the DESE system, even if you don't think the coursework will apply, you need to send them original transcripts from each institution you have attended.
  6. DESE will send you a list of deficiencies for the certificate in about 8-12 weeks.

Once you have completed all your deficiencies, you will send updated official transcripts to DESE with a letter stating you have completed your deficiencies and believe you are eligible for the certificate. DESE will then use the first application you completed to issue the certificate.