How to Renew a Lapsed Teaching Certificate
- 1). Contact your state's board of education or similar office. To locate contact information use a search engine and the search words 'X state board of education' or 'renew X teacher license' where X is your state.
- 2). Review the guidelines for renewal. Some states require a master's degree or higher to renew a lapsed license. Other states require a specific number of higher education credit hours related to the teacher's specific field such as elementary school, high school math, or early education.
- 3). Prepare paperwork for the state's renewal process. This can be found on your state's specific web page from the search conducted. Provide all documentation required which may be, but not limited to, prior teaching certificate or license, proof of higher degree completion, proof of additional college credits, and state fee to renew. Send the paperwork to the appropriate office in your state and be sure to follow up.