Learning About Licensure
Recent Changes to Ohio Educator Licensure Requirements
The Ohio Human Capital Resource Center hosted a networking meeting on December 12, 2024 with guests from the State Board of Education to discuss updates to Ohio's educator licensure requirements. The meeting was kicked off by Dr. Kate Heynoski of Experience Management Institute and featured Associate Directors Jim Wightman and Curtis Hewitt, two experts from the State Board of Education's Office of Educator Licensure and Effectiveness.
At the top of the meeting, Jim Wightman shared the link to subscribe to the State Board’s newsletter, which provides regular updates on licensure, professional conduct, and other processes overseen by the organization.
Pre-Service Teacher Permits
Among the topics discussed were changes in state law based on House Bill 33. One of these relates to the pre-service teacher permit, which is required for college students working in PreK through 12th-grade classrooms. The permit allows students in pre-service education programs to substitute teach and be compensated for their work. Educator preparation programs should work with districts to determine how to best leverage pre-service teachers to substitute teach.
Students who already hold an active credential issued by the State Board of Education (e.g., substitute teacher or educational aid permits) do not need the pre-service teacher permit.
Grade Bands
Additionally, the meeting covered House Bill 33’s changes to grade bands. Teachers can now teach two grade bands outside their license. For example, a PreK–5 teacher can now teach up through grade 7. The legislation also changed the grade bands to PreK–grade 8 and grades 6–12.*
TIP: Refer to the Properly Certified or Licensed Toolkit that offers more guidance (e.g., special ed and science licenses).
* The State Board worked to handle a correction to the latter grade band through Senate Bill 168, updating the band to grades 7–12 since anyone with a license that includes grade 6 must also have reading hours.
Temporary Substitute Teaching Licenses
The temporary substitute teaching license, created during the COVID-19 pandemic as a non-renewable license, has been made permanent. This license allows individuals with at least a high school diploma to substitute teach, even if they do not have a bachelor's degree. The license is specific to the district that approves the applicant and is valid only in that district.
Mental Health Training for Pupil Activity Permits
One final change based on House Bill 33 relates to those who hold pupil activity permits. These individuals must now receive mental health training for working with their students.
Teacher Evaluation Frameworks
Another significant change discussed was the option for school districts to create their own teacher evaluation frameworks as an alternative to the Ohio Teacher Evaluation System (OTES) 2.0. This change was made possible by Senate Bill 168.
The State Board has suggested that school districts refer to their Collective Bargaining Agreements and consult with legal counsel regarding any impacts for teacher evaluation, renewal, or dismissal.
Converting Teaching Licenses
Senate Bill 168 also introduced the possibility for currently licensed teachers to renew their licenses in one of two ways:
Renew the license as it currently exists, OR
Convert the license to align with the new grade bands (PreK–grade 8 or grades 7–12).
The State Board of Education is proposing guidelines for this conversion process, which would require teachers to pass the same pedagogical assessments as someone coming out of college and entering the profession. For example, if a teacher with a grades 7–12 license wanted to move to PreK–8, they would have to take Foundations of Reading 190 and the content test for Early Childhood Education. Or, if a teacher currently holds a grades 4–9 license and wishes to transition to a grades 7–12 license, they would have to pass the content test in whichever two areas of their middle school license (or both, if choosing to obtain two licenses).
Rule 3302-24-05 of the Ohio Administrative Code is up for comment until Jan. 9, 2025, and will then go through next steps for legislative review. This includes being on the agenda at the January State Board of Education meeting. Once approved, the rules will go into effect from the point in time an educator’s license is up for renewal.
School Counselors
Senate Bill 168 also includes school counselors in the “Consistently High Performing” status. This has an impact on evaluation cycles.
Interim Resident Educator Licenses
The State Board of Education has also created an interim resident educator license, which will be available upon request from a school district. This is intended for any candidate who has not been able to pass one or more of their licensure exams but has at least scored 206 on the test.
They must have passed the pedagogy exams because the State Board wants to ensure they know how to teach. This license is designed to help candidates who are struggling with the content area but have demonstrated strong teaching skills. It is a one-year license renewable two times. During the three years, they must be part of the district’s resident education program and pass RESA. They must be fully evaluated for all years, and for two of the three years must be at the Skilled or Accomplished level. If they meet those criteria, they can transition to a five-year professional license.
The license will be dated July 1, 2025, and it will be available by the spring.
There has been no discussion about an Alternative Interim Resident Educator license.
Supplemental Pathway
The supplemental pathway helps districts with positions that they are unable to fill with traditionally licensed teachers. This allows educators who hold an active, standard Ohio teaching certificate or license to teach in a supplemental area at the request of an employing Ohio school district while completing requirements for the additional standard license.
Applicants, schools, and districts may download and print the Initial Supplemental License Application Checklist for guidance through the first steps of this licensure pathway.
Educator Licensure Exams
With the transition in the grade bands, educator licensure exams will continue to be required. The State Board of Education has reviewed the body of research on the relationship between licensure exams and overall educator performance.
Research findings demonstrate that licensure exams are a valid and reliable indicator of classroom effectiveness. “The State Board has been working hard to make sure that all 1.6 million students in Ohio have a highly qualified teacher to be in the classroom, and someone that demonstrates good moral character and judgment,” said Wightman.
Questions and Answers Beyond the Above Topics
Throughout the meeting, attendees had the opportunity to ask questions about the changes to licensure requirements. The presenters provided detailed responses and clarifications, ensuring that attendees had a clear understanding of the updates. Two additional questions and answers beyond those within the above topics are the following:
Q: Has there been any discussion about changing the GPA requirement for alternative licensing?
A: No, there has not been additional discussion about lowering the GPA beyond changes already addressed.
Q: With properly certified educators, EMIS still flags these as fatal errors. When will this be updated?
A: Stephanie Fojas from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce indicated that updates are being made in EMIS to address this issue. The Department expects this to be resolved early in 2025.
