Educator Licensure Frequently Asked Questions

Search for a license.  This screen view is considered your official license record.

View all license types, and select your license type to view the renewal credit requirements.

Acceptable renewal credits for most license types.

Allowable renewal activities for coaching authorizations.

Approved evaluator trainings for administrators.

Applicants will still apply to renew. The application will require mandatory reporter trainings, verification of the degree, and verification of at least 10 years of experience in education. Those with administrator licenses will also need to include evaluator training no more than 10 years old. This is effective July 1, 2023.

View the mandatory reporter training requirements.

Yes. Official transcripts need to be issued directly to you so that you can take a clear picture or scan to upload to the online application system. 

You may open the envelope for hard copy transcripts and we still consider the transcripts official. 

We do not accept certificates of completion (except from Iowa colleges - must show renewal credits). 
 

The earliest an application for renewal can be submitted is one year prior to the expiration date.

All applications are now in our online application system. We do not accept applications via mail.

Download detailed instructions about how to use the online licensure system.

You can apply to renew one year or less prior to your expiration date.

Please allow at least 4-6 weeks for our agency to process your application. 
 

No. You cannot provide instruction if your license has expired, even if your application has been submitted. You will likely need to apply for an extension, as renewal applications can take 4-6 weeks to process. 

Always submit renewal applications at least 4-6 weeks in advance of your expiration date to allow time for processing.

There will be a $25 per month late fee added for applications submitted after the expiration date of a license for active Iowa educators.

However, it is fine to let your license expire if you are no longer in the profession in Iowa. You can simply renew it or extend it when you need it again. You will not lose your license.
 

If you are not already on an extension, most license types can be extended for one year with a simple application and fee. Your new extended license will say “Class A extension of . . .” or it may say “Extension of . . . Authorization.”

If you are already on an extension (Class A) or if you need an extension of a Class B license, you may be eligible for a final Class E Emergency Extension if you have made coursework progress during the term of the extension and you are registered for additional coursework.
 

This will be a simple online application/fee and your administrator will complete a form available within the application.

Two years of experience in an Iowa public school, or three years of experience of accredited private, out of state, or out of country are required. 
 

This transaction can only occur when the standard license is eligible for renewal which is one year or less prior to the expiration date (or after the expiration date - late fees may apply). 

You will need a master’s degree related to education or any endorsement area from an accredited institution, six renewal credits (which may be the same credits as the master’s degree, depending on when the credits were completed), the mandatory reporter trainings, and proof of at least five years of teaching experience).

BEDS Crosswalk - Spreadsheet contains course SCED codes and required licensure.

01001-24999 series: HS Course Codes 

30000 series: At-Risk, Home School, TAG, Counseling, Library, Homebound

40000 series:  Administrator Codes

50000 series: Curriculum Director Codes Only

60000 series: Elementary and Middle School

70000-80000 series: Special Education and Other Student Services

90001-95001: Coaching, SWVPP, EC with SPED, ECSE, Head Start, Nurse

96000 series: Teacher Leadership Codes

See how to add an endorsement and a list of endorsements on our website.

This is NOT for anyone who does not already hold an Iowa teaching license.

The Class B License is valid for two school years and may be issued under the following conditions:

The person is the holder of a valid Iowa teaching license with one or more endorsements and is seeking to obtain some other endorsement

The employer requests the Class B be issued due to an official position offer

The individual seeking this endorsement has completed at least one-half of the requirements

The Executive Director Decision License is valid for one school year and may be issued under the following conditions:

The person is the holder of a valid Iowa teaching license with one or more endorsement and is seeking to obtain some other endorsement

The employer requests the Executive Director Decision license be issued

The employer verifies a diligent search to find a fully licensed teacher for the position

The individual seeking this endorsement is not eligible for the Class B license

Traditional Pathway: complete a state-approved program through an accredited institution for college semester hour credit including content coursework, pedagogy coursework, and student teaching. 

Teacher Intern License: candidates already hold a bachelor’s degree and complete a two-year alternative pathway program to finish the pedagogy coursework. 

Career & Technical Education Authorization: provide evidence of work experience to teach in career and technical areas such as construction, drafting, welding, mechanics, agriculture, culinary arts, health occupations, information technology, and many more. 

Content Specialist Authorization - master’s degree or higher in a BOEE endorsement area

Community College instruction: no BoEE license is required for dual credit/concurrent enrollment community college courses, even if the instructor is employed by the school district. 

The Native Language Teacher Authorization requires a bachelor’s degree, passing scores on a Praxis II language exam, and a position offer from an Iowa school district who can show that a diligent search was conducted.

Applicants from another state who have completed a full preparation program and have a regular license (not emergency or temporary) from another state or have verification they have completed all requirements for full licensure except for required testing, and who have no past or pending disciplinary actions may be eligible for full reciprocity. 

Applicants prepared in another country will first need to have transcripts translated (course by course) through a service provider listed at National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or Association of International Credential Evaluators

License types approved for full substitute teaching (up to 90 days in one assignment): 

• Initial, standard, master educator, permanent professional, or exchange licenses
• Professional administrator license
• Professional service license
•  Full career and technical authorization
• Substitute license
• Full Native Language Teacher Authorization

If you have held or are eligible to hold a full teaching license in Iowa, you may apply for a substitute license. This will allow you to substitute in any subject, any grade level, including long-term subbing. 

• If you have completed at least 60 semester hours and the substitute authorization course available through the AEA, you will apply for a substitute authorization. This will allow you to substitute in any subject, any grade level, but does not include long-term subbing.
• If you hold a paraeducator certificate and you do not have at least 60 semester hours, you can complete the substitute authorization course available through the AEA, and you will instead apply to add an area of concentration to your paraeducator certificate, allowing you to substitute in your own assigned classroom only.

Please allow at least 4-6 weeks for our agency to process your complete application.

Please note that your application is not considered complete and in line for processing until we have received all application materials including your fingerprints.
 

No. You cannot sub if your license has expired, even if your application has been submitted. You will likely need to apply for an extension, as renewal applications can take 4-6 weeks to process. 

Always submit renewal applications at least 4-6 weeks in advance of your expiration date to allow time for processing.
 

If you are not already on an extension, most license types can be extended for one year with a simple application and fee. You can apply in our online system to extend a license.

There are three pathways: 

• Class B conditional license for coaching: conditional license for two years while you complete either the endorsement or authorization
• Coaching authorization: 55-hour workshop certificate from an approved provider or college coursework, concussion training, CPR. 
• Coaching endorsement: 5 college semester hours, concussion training, CPR. Will be added to your teaching license.

• Coaching authorization: 18 years of age and a HS diploma or equivalent
  • Concussion training certificate
  • CPR training certificate
  • 55-hour workshop certificate from an approved provider or college coursework 

• Transitional coaching authorization: 21 years of age, transitional short course, concussion training, mandatory reporter training, school must show diligent search. Note that this pathway is typically not faster.

• A coaching endorsement appears on a teaching license. 
• A coaching authorization is issued separately and must be renewed separately.

Both allow for K-12 athletic coaching.

Please allow at least 4-6 weeks for our agency to process your complete application.

Please note that your application is not considered complete and in line for processing until we have received all application materials including your fingerprints. 
 

First, check to see if you have an endorsement (on a teaching license) or separate coaching authorization by using our search for a license tool.

• CPR - online or in-person is fine.
• Concussion training from the National Federation of High Schools (not the Heads Up Version)
• Mandatory reporter of child and dependent adult abuse certificate.  BOTH child AND dependent adult versions are required. 
• Any rules meeting, NFHS video, or workshop, clinic (can be verified by the school AD/Admin).  College credit, licensure renewal credit, or renewal activity from NEACA, Kirkwood, or Iowa Lakes Community College. 
• Ethics for educators training is required for an old coaching authorization issued before July, 1 2000 if this is the first renewal since. The Ethics for Educators module is a one-hour training available from Heartland AEA online learning and can count for number 4 or 5 above. 

If you have a coaching endorsement that appears on your teaching license, you will follow the requirements to renew your teaching license.

No. You cannot coach if your license has expired, even if your application has been submitted. You will likely need to apply for an extension, as renewal applications can take 4-6 weeks to process. 

Always submit renewal applications at least 4-6 weeks in advance of your expiration date to allow time for processing.
 

If you are not already on an extension, most license types can be extended for one year with a simple application and fee. You can apply in our online system to extend a license.