Continuing Education and License Renewal

• Tiered License Infographic
• Tier 1 License Renewal Fact Sheet
• Tier 2 License Renewal Fact Sheet
• Tier 3 License Renewal Fact Sheet
• Tier 4 License Renewal Fact Sheet

A Clock Hour is defined as an hour of actual instruction or planned group or individual professional development activity as approved by the local continuing education/relicensure committee. One clock hour will be granted for each hour of participation for most activities. Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board guidelines, as well as local committee interpretations, may impose maximum allocation of clock hours to give equitable and consistent consideration of all clock hour requests.

The Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board has mandated that the local committee not grant clock hours for experiences that are primarily for personal rather than professional improvement or for experiences that duplicate other granted clock hour experiences without new or enhanced professional development value.

Categories for Clock Hours

A. Relevant coursework completed at accredited colleges and universities

• One semester credit = 24 clock hours
• One quarter credit = 16 clock hours

Verification: A copy of the transcript or grade slip. The transcript may be official or unofficial, but must include the applicant's full name and the name of the institution.

B. Educational workshops, conferences, institutes, seminars, or lectures in areas appropriate to license(s) held.

Verification: Attendance certificate or written statement from workshop sponsor, with validation of number of hours of participation.  Verification in Frontline for in-district activities also is acceptable.

C. Staff development activities, in-service meetings, and courses

• Instruction and professional development activities including in-service/staff development workshops or courses, and structured local workshops that are structured educational learning experiences provided by a school/district may qualify as clock hours

Verification: Attendance certificate or written statement of in-service sponsor, with validation of number of hours of participation. Verification in Frontline for in-district activities also is acceptable.

D. Site, district, regional, state, national, or international curriculum development

Verification: Written statement from an administrator responsible for the curriculum development with validation of hours of participation. Verification in Frontline for in-district activities also is acceptable.

E. Engagement in formal peer coaching or mentorship relationships with colleagues 

Verification: Certificate of completion from program director with validation of hours of participation. Verification in Frontline for in-district activities also is acceptable.

Tier 3 License - No more than 30 total clock hours can be from Categories F, G, H, and I in a three-year period.

Tier 4 License – No more than 50 total clock hours can be from Categories F, G, H, and I in a five-year period.

F. Professional service in the following areas:

• Supervision of clinical experiences of persons enrolled in teacher preparation programs. No more than 18 hours may be granted in a three-year re-licensure period and no more than 30 hours may be granted in a five-year re-licensure period.
• One semester enrollment = 24 clock hours
• One quarter enrollment = 16 clock hours
• Participation on national, state, and local committees involved with licensure, teacher education or professional standards
• Participation in national, regional, or state accreditation

Verification: Written statement of local administrator or college representative responsible for the experience.

G. Leadership experiences in the following areas:

• Development of new or broader skills and sensitivities to the school, community, or profession
• Publication of professional articles in a professional journal in an appropriate field
• Volunteer work in professional organizations related to the areas of licensure held

Verification: Written statement of supervisor/administrator responsible for the experience.

H. Opportunities to enhance knowledge and understanding of diverse educational settings in the following areas:

• Experiences with students of another age, ability, culture, or socioeconomic level
• Systematic, purposeful observation during visits to schools and to related business and industry

Verification: Written statement of supervisor/administrator responsible for the experience.

I. Pre-approved travel or work experience

• Travel for purposes of improving instructional capabilities related to the field of licensure
• Work experience in business or industry appropriate to the field of licensure. One week of pre-approved travel or work experience for purposes of improving instructional capabilities equals ten clock hours. No more than 18 hours may be granted in a three-year re-licensure period or 30 hours in a five-year re-licensure period for travel or work experience.

Prior Approval Form for Travel/Work Experience CEUs

Verification: Prior approval from the local continuing education committee and a written statement from the supervisor/administrator responsible for the experience.

• Positive Behavioral Intervention Strategies (1 CEU)
• Reading Preparation (3 CEUs)
• Key Warning Signs for Early-Onset Mental Illness in Children and Adolescents (2 CEU)
• Suicide Prevention (1 CEU)
• English Language Learners (1 CEU)
• Cultural Competency (5 CEUs)
• American Indian History and Culture (1 CEU)
• Accommodating, Modifying, and Adapting Curricula, Materials, and Strategies (1 CEU)

SoWashCo Staff-Submitting your CEUs 

• Licensed staff who are currently employed in SoWashCo should ensure that all of their CEUs are within Frontline Professional Growth. 
• To request CEUs for trainings outside of SoWashCo use the following process to submit your CEUs for review
• Staff can view their CEUs within Frontline by going to their Portfolio and/or Transcript
   
  Requesting CEUs in Frontline

• Submitting your CEUs
  • Licensed staff who are not currently employed in ISD 833 should use the following procedures to submit your CEUs for review
    • All CEUs/Mandatory Requirements must be completed prior to your submission.
    • All requests should be submitted using the Google form at the bottom of this section. 
    • Submissions will only be accepted after January 1 of the year of your renewal.
    • Submissions should include a summary list that includes a description of the completed professional development, the number of CEUs earned, categories they fall under, and any mandatory requirement met (if applicable). 
    • All accompanying documentation (CEU certificates, transcripts, or description of experiences) must also be included.  If you are unable to attach the documentation please contact the Committee Chair to arrange for their submission.
    • CEU Submission Form
• Once you have completed all hours and mandatory requirements you can renew your Tier 3 or Tier 4 license using the PELSB Online Portal.
  • PELSB License Renewal Site

Moving tiers (or adding a license) requires you to work directly with PELSB and make a paper submission.  Basic information is listed below.  Additional information can be found on the PELSB website.

• Moving from Tier 1 to Tier 2
• Moving from Tier 2 to Tier 3
• Moving from Tier 3 to Tier 4