Professional Development

The district (or educational agency) Professional Development Council (PDC), a group that is representative of teachers and administrators in the district or agency, writes the district’s professional development plan.

This plan is based upon the staff development needs identified in the schools’ improvement and results-based staff development plans and provides district support for those plans. The plan also includes criteria and the necessary forms for certified individuals to obtain professional development points for licensure.

Initial License

If within five years after the issue date of the first initial license:

• Submit a new application for a second initial license – no additional requirements.

If more than five years after the issued date of the first renewal of the initial license or if you have already held two initial licenses:

Complete one of the following:

1. Retake assessments

• Initial teaching license - Content test and PLT

• School specialists/leadership licenses - Content test

2. Eight hours of credit related to current endorsements on license

3. One year of accredited experience

4. Professional development points earned through a local professional development council:

• Same as renewing a professional license

• Points must be related to content or professional education standards

• 120 points if hold a graduate degree – no credit hours required

• 160 points if at bachelor’s level – 80 of those points earned through credit hours

5. Eight hours from an approved program

• Teaching , school specialist or school leadership program

Professional License

Five years

If the applicant holds a graduate degree:

Earn 120 professional development points awarded by a Kansas local professional development council under an approved individual development plan. If retired and participating in an educational retirement system, earn 60 professional development points.

If the applicant does not hold a graduate degree:

Earn 160 professional development points awarded by a Kansas local professional development council under an approved individual development plan, including at least 80 points for college credit. If retired and participating in an educational retirement system, earn 80 professional development points, including at least 40 points for college credit.

If completing a program to add a new teaching, school specialist or school leadership endorsement, apply eight semester credit hours of the approved program towards renewal.

Verify three years of accredited experience during the current professional license IF the applicant holds a graduate degree. This type of experience renewal may be used only twice in the applicant’s career. Choose “License Lookup” at www.ksde.org (Educator Licensure) to check how many times this option has been accessed if eligible.

Complete all components of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards assessment for National Board Certification.

To move to an accomplished teaching license, achieve National Board Certification.

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