Michigan Teacher Certification Renewal Requirements

<p>There are two main types of teaching certificates that can be renewed in Michigan. These are the Standard Teaching Certificate and the Professional Teaching Certificate. General renewal requirements and career statistics are summarized in the table below. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td>Education/Experience Required</td><td> Bachelor's degree (minimum)</td></tr> <tr><td>Exam Requirements </td><td> MTTC</td></tr> <tr><td>Certification Renewal Period </td><td> Five years</td></tr> <tr><td>Requirements for Renewal </td><td> 150 hours of approved professional learning</td></tr> <tr><td>Mean Salaries for Teachers in MI (2018)*</td><td> $35,010 (preschool) <br /> $59,140 (kindergarten) <br /> $66,180 (elementary) <br /> $64,540 (middle school) <br /> $62,950 (high school)</td></tr> <tr><td>Estimated Job Growth (2016-2026) </td><td>8% (preschool, primary, secondary, and special education teachers, nationally)*</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---StandardTeachingCertificate">Standard Teaching Certificate</h3> <p>The standard teaching certificate is valid for five years and can be renewed for additional five-year periods. An educator renewing this certificate for the first time has three options for satisfying the renewal requirements. They can either complete 150 hours of education-related professional learning, earn a higher degree in an education-related program at an accredited college or university or hold a valid out-of-state teaching certificate. After the initial renewal, the educator can only continue to renew this certificate with 150 hours of professional learning. </p> <h3 id="section---ProfessionalTeachingCertificate">Professional Teaching Certificate</h3> <p>The professional learning certificate is also valid for five years and can be renewed at five-year integrals. When renewing this certificate for the first time, an educator must either complete 150 hours of education-related professional learning or hold a valid out-of-state certificate specific for the kindergarten to grade 12 levels. After that initial renewal, the educator must complete professional learning equal to 150 hours in order to continue renewing the professional teaching certificate. </p> <h3 id="section---ApprovedProfessionalLearning">Approved Professional Learning</h3> <p>Approved professional learning hours can be earned through the Michigan Department of Education approved coursework or training activities. Educators can choose one option or combination of any of the options in order to meet the certificate renewal requirements. There are four options and these are: </p> <ul><li>Six semester hours from a regionally accredited college or university </li><li>Six semester hours in a planned course of study from an accredited college or university </li><li>150 hours of Michigan State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHS) </li><li>150 hours of Michigan District Provided Professional Development (DPPD) </li></ul><p>SCECHS are state-approved training, meetings, workshops, and conferences and are contact hour based. Hours are only counted if the educator is constantly present at the activity. For non-traditional professional development activities, such as school committee meetings and the supervision of an intern, educators must seek prior approval from the school district to confirm the hours will meet the requirements. </p> <p>DPPD courses are professional development learning offered by a Michigan approved learning education agency (LEA). According to Michigan law, LEAs must offer five days of professional development learning annually. </p> <h3 id="section---ApplicationProcess">Application Process</h3> <p>Before applying for certificate renewal, the educator must submit evidence of their professional learning hours on the Michigan Online Educator Certification System. For SCECHS and DPPD, transcripts can be printed from the certification system and verified so they can be used when applying for renewal. Having satisfied the clock hour requirements for certificate renewal, the educator can complete their application online on the Michigan Online Educator Certification System.</p>