Clock Hours

Clock hours must be earned in two or more of the categories in items A to I per Minnesota Rule 8710.7200, Subpart3:

A. Relevant coursework completed at accredited colleges and universities;
1) One semester credit = 24 clock hours
2) One quarter credit = 16 clock hours
The relevant coursework conversion is only applicable with additional clock hours in categories B-I.

B. Educational workshops, conferences, institutes, seminars, or lectures in areas appropriate to licenses held;

C. Staff development activities, in-service meetings, and courses;
1) Instruction and professional development activities provided by a school may be used as clock hours in this part.

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

E. Engagement in formal peer coaching or mentorship relationships with colleagues that addresses one or more of the standards in part 8710.2000;

F. Professional service in the following areas:
1) Supervision of clinical experiences of persons enrolled in teacher preparation programs. No more than 18 hours may be granted in a three-year relicensure period or 30 clock hours in a five-year relicensure period for supervision.
(i) One semester enrollment = 24 clock hours
(ii) One quarter enrollment = 16 clock hours
2) Participation on national, state, and local committees involved with
licensure, teacher education, or professional standards; or
3) Participation in national, regional, or state accreditation;

G. Leadership experiences in the following areas:
1) Development of new or broader skills and sensitivities to the school, community, or profession;
2) Publication of professional articles in a professional journal in an appropriate field; or
3) Volunteer work in professional organizations related to the areas of licensure held;

H. Opportunities to enhance knowledge and understanding of diverse educational settings in the following areas:
1) Experiences with students of another age, ability, culture, or socioeconomic level; or
2) Systematic, purposeful observation during visits to schools and to related business and industry; and March 2019

I. Pre=approved travel or work experience:
1) Travel for purposes of improving instructional capabilities related to the field of licensure; or
2) 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 clock hours in a five-year re-licensure period for travel or work experience. The clock hour limit may be waived when the local committee determines that the preapproved travel or work experience is critical to the teacher's advanced or current skills for the teacher's assignment; for example, travel to experience language or cultural immersion by a teacher of world language.

 

Tier 1 License

Validity:

1 school year

Renewal:

• In order to renew a Tier 1 license, both the licensed Tier 1 teacher and the hiring district must provide evidence of eligibility and apply for renewal after June 30 of renewal year.
• A Tier 1 license may be renewed up to three times in a lifetime, regardless of the content field or hiring district. To renew a Tier 1 license for the second or third time, the hiring district must continue to provide and verify a mentorship program and an evaluation. The Tier 1 teacher is not required to retake cultural competency or reattempt the MTLE content test after the first renewal.

Upgrade to Tier 2:

Complete a Commission-approved Induction program

Tier 2 License

Validity:

Two school years

Renewal

• In order to renew a Tier 2 license, both the licensed Tier 2 teacher and the hiring district must provide evidence of eligibility and apply for renewal after June 30 of the renewal year. A Tier 2 license may be renewed up to three times.
• A Tier 2 license may be renewed up to three times in a lifetime, regardless of the content field or hiring district. To renew a Tier 2 license for the second or third time, the hiring district must continue to provide and verify teacher development and evaluation. The Tier 2 teacher does not have to retake cultural competency after the first renewal.

Tier 3 License

Validity:

Three school years

Renewal

• In order to renew a Tier 3 license, the licensed teacher must meet all Tier 3 renewal requirements. A Tier 3 license has an unlimited number of renewals.
• The Tier 3 teacher must provide the following evidence: Completion and submission of 75 clock hours, including all mandatory requirements in effect at the time of renewal within the three years immediately preceding renewal. These should be submitted to the school district where the Tier 3 teacher works or lives.

Tier 4 License

Validity:

Five school years

Renewal

• In order to renew a Tier 4 license, the licensed teacher must meet all Tier 4 renewal requirements. A Tier 4 license has an unlimited number of renewals.
• Completion and submission of 125 clock hours, including all mandatory requirements in effect at the time of renewal within the five years immediately preceding renewal. These should be submitted to the school district where the Tier 4 teacher works or lives.

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[content updated July 2021]