Understanding the Educator Licensure Process Infographic
Source: The Ohio State Board of Education
To obtain an initial teaching license, students must submit an application for the credential through the Ohio Department of Education’s Connected Ohio Records for Educators (CORE) system. A new teaching license will be issued as a Resident Educator license. The cost for an initial Two-Year Resident Educator License is $80.
Application Instructions:
The last step on the journey to becoming an educator is obtaining your official teaching license. The licensure application is completed on the Ohio Department of Education’s website. The CORE User Manual will walk you through the steps of the process.
- All Wooster educator candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for their initial Ohio teacher license upon successful completion of their program and their required Ohio licensure exams.
- Please do not apply for your license until a week prior to the completion of the program. The license application cannot be approved until after graduation. Your application can expire if you apply too early. It can take up to 30 days for your license application to be reviewed, verified, and approved, or declined. Please be patient with this process.
After you submit your application, the Ohio Department of Education will reach out to the College of Wooster for clearance. In order for the College to recommend your application for approval, the following must be completed:
- Official, electronic copies of your licensure exam scores must have been received by The College of Wooster.
- All Ohio Assessments for Educators exam requirements must be complete prior to the application process.
- What tests do I take? Test Registration information is located here: Educator Licensure Testing Requirements.
- There must be a successful grade, on your official record, for all required courses.
- Your degree must be conferred. Typically, this is completed on or around the date of graduation.
- You must have met all program and licensure requirements.
Professional Licensure Disclosure
A professional licensure disclosure is required by the U.S. Department of Education for all institutions of higher education to clearly and publicly disclose to prospective and current students a list of all states where the institution has determined the program does and does not meet such requirements.
All Wooster education programs leading to licensure meet the educational and licensure requirements of the state of Ohio. Classes are taught on-campus (face-to-face), and students’ residence hall addresses are used to determine state residence. All teacher education programs at Wooster are approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) and are accredited through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Music Education is accredited through the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
Licensure Reciprocity
Teacher education programs at Wooster lead to licensure in Ohio. Requirements for out-of-state licensure/certification eligibility are determined by each individual state/territory and are subject to change. Minor additional coursework may be required for full licensure. In addition, applicants must meet the testing requirements of the state to which they apply for licensure. Candidates who seek employment outside of Ohio are still encouraged to first apply for their initial Ohio license.
The table below provides links to information on professional licensure or certification in other U.S. states and territories. This information is reviewed and updated annually. However, it is important for students to routinely check for any updates in licensing laws as they may change. The ultimate authority on each state’s requirements is the licensing board or agency for that state.
License Portability
It is also important to note that licensure bands may vary by state. The following is a selection of states and the translated Ohio license in that state’s licensing system. Surveyed states include: Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and West Virgina.
| INDIANA | NORTH CAROLINA |
|---|---|
| Ohio EC = Indiana Generalist preschool, plus generalist Kindergarten Primary K-3 Ohio AYA = Indiana 9-12 in subject(s) | Ohio EC = North Carolina K-6, and possibly birth-age 5 (transcript evaluation) plus PLT Ohio AYA = North Carolina 9-12 in subject(s) |
| KENTUCKY | PENNSYLVANIA |
| Ohio EC = Kentucky Birth through primary, plus K-5 Ohio AYA = Kentucky 8-12 in subject(s) | Ohio EC = Pennsylvania N-3 Ohio AYA = Pennsylvania secondary in subject(s) |
| MICHIGAN | WEST VIRGINIA |
| Ohio EC = Michigan K-5 all subjects, plus K-8 self-contained, plus PreK endorsement Ohio AYA = Michigan 7-12 in subject(s) | Ohio EC = West Virginia PreK-K plus K-4 Ohio AYA = West Virginia 5-12 in subject(s) |
Questions? Please contact sadunlap@wooster.edu for questions about licensure.