Certification Requirements Frequently Asked Questions
Updated - February 2007
My certificate has expired! What do I do now?
Missouri law regarding educator certification changed in August 2003. While certificates can expire, they may also become "inactive." You can reactivate your certificate by completing 24 contact hours of professional development (which may include college credit; 1 semester hour=15 contact hours) within six months prior to or after reactivating your certificate.
If you stop teaching, when you choose to return, the local district that hires you will suggest the professional development activities that are availablJuly 18, 2008of professional development. The district will verify that you have completed the requirements for reactivating your certificate and together, you and the district should notify the Department on the Application for Missouri Teacher Certificate "Upgrade/Extension/Reactivation" (pdf) .
Under the new rules for career continuous professional certification, we were told that we needed a YEARLY evaluation. Is this correct?
No. Individuals with the Initial Certification must participate in a yearly performance-based evaluation. Individuals at the Career level or tenured teachers may have a biennial or every-third-year evaluation, depending on the district policy.
Under the certification law, is a professional development plan still required?
Yes. While the law addresses the number of contact hours, it is still the school district's responsibility to ensure that the professional development plan and the contact hours taken by a teacher meet both the individual's and the district's needs and goals. Information on high quality professional development is available from the Department.
What is involved in the two years of mentoring required for new teachers?
Mentoring will, ultimately, be designed and developed by each local school district. However, the Missouri Advisory Council of Certification for Educators (MACCE) developied some model guidelines and suggestions that are available at http://www.successlink.org/mentor/
What are the "new" fees and why are they collected?
Beginning August 28, 2003, the Missouri Highway Patrol increased the fees it collects for open-record checks and background (fingerprint) investigations. The fees are now $9 for the open-records check; this is often used for volunteers. The new fee for the background (fingerprint) investigation is $52.20 through IBT. Fingerprints are required for all new employees who have contact with children.
Along with the fee increase for open-record checks and background investigations, there has been a price increase for the certification of out-of-state graduates or certificate holders, updating a certificate (name changes, etc.) and additional certificates due to advanced degrees earned.
A new law authorizes a $35 fee for upgrading the initial professional certificate to the new, career continuous professional certificate. This is a one-time fee and will be charged only to holders of an Initial and/or level I certificate.
I took and passed a Praxis exam. Why doesn't the additional area show on my certification?
While we "automatically" receive test scores for all individuals who request the scores be sent to us, we are legally required to have a written request asking that the additional certification areas be added to the certificate of license to teach. The addition may be requested by completing the Application for Additional Certificates of License to Teach (pdf) or by sending a letter to the Department requesting the addition. Please include your full name, current mailing address and social security number.
What classes can I teach with XYZ certificate?
Classes are aligned with various certificates by the Division of School Improvement. You can find the information at http://dese.mo.gov/divimprove/coredata/Exhibit%202005.doc starting on page 181.
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