1. Renewal of a Professional Level License
Presented by the Office of Educator Licensure

2. Agenda Introduction to Licensure Renewal Renewal Requirements
PDP Distribution and Providers
SEI and other PDPs
Inactive/Invalid licenses
Renewal Process
Professional License Renewal Audit
Endorsements
Questions
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3. Who Needs to Renew a Professional license?
Professional level licenses are due to be renewed every 5 calendar years
All educators who hold a PROFESSIONAL level (not Provisional or Initial) license that is expiring and want to keep the license active as an educator in Massachusetts need to renew the license

4. What is Required to Renew a Primary Area Professional License?
150 Professional Development Points( PDPs) are required in areas defined in upcoming slide
An Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP) AND/OR if relevant, the Educator Plan (Plan that is part of the Educator Evaluation System), signed by the educator’s supervisor- the most current supervisor’s signature is acceptable.

5. PDP Distribution as of July 28, 2017-Primary Area
The following requirements apply to the renewal of a Primary area license (even if license is renewed early-up to one year form renewal/expiration date):
A minimum of 150 PDPs:
At least 15 PDPs must be in content (subject matter knowledge)
At least 15 PDPs must be in pedagogy (professional skills and knowledge)
At least 15 PDPs must be in English as a Second Language (ESL), Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) or Bilingual
At least 15 PDPs must be in strategies for effective schooling for students with disabilities and instruction of students with diverse learning styles
The remaining required 90 PDPs may be earned through any combination of elective activities that address other educational issues and topics that improve student learning. In lieu of electives, you may include additional PD activities related to content, pedagogy, ESL/SEI, Bilingual, or strategies for effective schooling for students with disabilities and instruction of students with diverse learning styles.
NOTE: The Primary area is the Professional license designated by an educator, upon renewal. It may be, but does not have to be, the license under which the educator is employed.

6. PDP Distribution as of July 28, 2017-Additional Area
The following requirements apply to the renewal of an ADDITIONAL area license (even if the license is renewed early—up to one year from renewal/expiration date):
A minimum of 30 PDPs:
At least 15 PDPs must be in content (subject matter knowledge).
The remaining required 15 PDPs may be earned through any combination of elective activities that address other educational issues and topics that improve student learning. In lieu of electives, you may include additional PD activities related to content, pedagogy, ESL/SEI, Bilingual, or strategies for effective schooling for students with disabilities and instruction of students with diverse learning styles.
NOTE: To renew one or more Additional area licenses alone, you must have already renewed a Primary area previously that has not yet expired, and the renewal of that Primary area must be greater than 12 months from the day of renewal.

7. Primary Area Designation
Often times, an educator will hold multiple licenses made up of Initial and Professional licenses. The educator is employed in the role his Initial license, and also holds an active Professional license that will expire on June 16, He does not need his Professional license as he is employed in the role of his Initial license. What happens to the unused Professional license?
The educator may:
1. Renew the Professional license as the Primary area with 150 PDPs. (Note: Although he’s not employed in the role of his Professional license, he can renew it, with no interference with employment.)
2. Allow the Professional license to become Inactive.
3. When the Initial license is moved to the Professional level, and the Professional license is approaching its expiration date, renew both Professional licenses -one as the Primary area and the other as the Additional area.
More on this example in later Slide on Primary area designation

8. Overlapping Content Areas of Multiples licenses
You may hold two or more Professional licenses with overlapping content areas, i.e., School Counselor, 5-12 (Primary area) and School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor, All Levels (Additional area). When the content area of one license overlaps with another license with similar content, the content knowledge requirement for renewal may be satisfied for both licenses. In total, 180 PDPs must have been earned to renew these two licenses.
For example, 30 PDPs were awarded to School Counselor, Mr. Waters. He attended a seminar on Mindfulness in the Classroom. He’s also renewing an Additional license: School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor. Due to similar content, he may divide his points: 15 PDPs for Primary area and 15 PDPs for Additional area.

9. How do I avoid Double-Dipping PDPs when overlap occurs?
You may apply the PD activity only (not the PDPs) for multiple licenses with overlapping content.
Another option for Mr. Waters would be to use all 30 PDPs from the seminar on Mindfulness in the Classroom towards his School Counselor license but since that seminar also covers the content for his School Social Worker/Adjustment Counselor license, he can have that cover the content requirement for his Additional area. Now, Mr. Waters will still need to earn 30 PDPs for his Additional license, however, he has satisfied the 15 PDP requirement in content as a result of the Mindfulness seminar. He will need to meet the 30 PDP requirement for renewal.

10. Non-renewal of a Primary and/or Additional license
A Primary area or an Additional area license that is not renewed is deemed INACTIVE.
If an Inactive license is not renewed within 5 years it becomes INVALID
The requirements do not change when renewing a Primary area license that has been deemed INACTIVE or INVALID:
A minimum of 150 PDPs:
At least 15 PDPs must be in content (subject matter knowledge)
At least 15 PDPs must be in pedagogy (professional skills and knowledge)
At least 15 PDPs must be in English as a Second Language (ESL), Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) or Bilingual
At least 15 PPs must be in strategies for effective schooling for students with disabilities and instruction of students with diverse learning styles
The remaining required 90 PDPs may be earned through any combination of elective activities that address other educational issues and topics that improve student learning. In lieu of electives, you may include additional PD activities related to content, pedagogy, ESL/SEI, Bilingual, or strategies for effective schooling for students with disabilities and instruction of students with diverse learning styles.

11. Renewing an INACTIVE Additional Area License
The requirements do not change when renewing an Additional area license that has been deemed INACTIVE:
A minimum of 30 PDPs:
At least 15 PDPs out of 30 must be in content (subject matter knowledge). The remaining 15 PDPs may be earned through any combination of elective activities that address other educational issues and topics that improve student learning. In lieu of electives, you may include additional PD activities related to content, pedagogy, ESL/SEI, Bilingual, or strategies for effective schooling for students with disabilities and instruction of students with diverse learning styles.

12. Renewing an INVALID Additional Area License
The following requirements apply to the renewal of an Additional area license that has become INVALID:
A minimum of 150 PDPs:
At least 15 PDPs out of 150 must be in content (subject matter knowledge). The remaining 135 PDPs may be earned through any combination of elective activities that address other educational issues and topics that improve student learning. In lieu of electives, you may include additional PD activities related to content, pedagogy, ESL/SEI, Bilingual, or strategies for effective schooling for students with disabilities and instruction of students with diverse learning styles.

13. The Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP) and the Educator Plan
The Educator Plan- part of Educator Evaluation
If employed in the role of the Professional license in a Massachusetts public school, the IPDP (and/or Educator Plan if being used for this purpose), must:
Align with School/School District PD Plans & Goals; and
Receive initial approval and final endorsement of the Professional Development Plan from the educator’s Supervisor.
If using the Educator Plan, this Plan must include:
Educator Goals (Professional Practice and Student Learning)
Plan for implementation of goals
Signature of the educator’s supervisor

14. Can I Renew a Professional License Before its Expiration Date?
Yes, any license that is up to 12 months from expiring may be renewed
However:
PDPs towards the next renewal cycle will count from the date of the new renewal cycle (Not from the date of early renewal)

15. Example
Example- John’s Primary area license expires June 17, John chooses to renew his license early on December 17, The new license issued will have an expiration date of June 17, John may start accruing PDPs towards the next cycle, however PDPs earned between December 17, 2018 thru June 16, 2019 will not count. PDPs earned between June 17, thru June 17, 2024 will count.

16. Professional Development Providers
Professional Development Points (PDPs) may be awarded by the Department, school districts, educational collaborative and registered PD Providers.
School districts and educational collaboratives are not required to register with the Department as approved providers. All other Providers who wish to award PDPs, must register during the Department’s application window. A database that allows the public to search the list of registered PD providers for professional development can be found at: (search registered PD Providers).

17. University and college PD programs/courses
University and college PD programs/courses (both onsite and online) that only issue credits or CEUs are not required to register with the Department as a PD Provider. However, as noted below, any university/college with a PD program/course that wishes to offer Professional Development Points (PDPs) must register with the Department as a PD Provider. Universities and colleges issuing credits must be accredited. NOTE: If you are unsure whether your college/university is accredited, please, see the DESE recognized organizations.

18. All other PD Providers
All other PD Providers, including but not limited to the following, who wish to award PDPs must apply to the Department to become a registered PD Provider:
Non-public schools
Not-for-profit organizations
Private and for profit organizations
Individuals
Educational partnerships and corporations
Educational agencies and associations
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19. Professional Development Activities and Point Equivalence
PD Activities:
School-Based Activity: One Clock Hour = 1 PDP
Approved PD Providers’ Activity: One Clock Hour = 1 PDP
Seminars/Institutes: One Clock Hour = 1 PDP
Undergraduate Coursework: One Credit = 15 PDPs
Graduate Coursework: One Credit = 22.5 PDPs
Audit Course (Undergraduate/Graduate): One Credit = 7.5 PDPs
Registered CEU-Granting Organizations: 1 CEU = 10 PDPs
Learn more about eligible PD activities and Points in the License Renewal Guidelines for Massachusetts Educators at:

20. How do I “bundle” PDPs?
PDPs submitted for renewal of a license must equal at least 10 hours per activity.
Educators may bundle (combining related topics) activities that are less than 10 PDPs to reach/exceed the 10 PDP threshold.
Activities awarding less than 10 PDPs may be bundled if they are related to a similar topic.

21. Example of Bundling PDPs
Ms. Lyons received 2 PDPs for a workshop on MCAS, 6 PDPs for a workshop on Online Testing, and 4 PDPs for a workshop on Formative Assessment. Since all three activities are related to the topic of Assessment, she may bundle them as 12 PDPs under the topic Assessment.
NOTE: Exception to the minimum 10 PDP/topic requirement are PDPs accrued that are related to the Educator Evaluation System.

22. Meeting the ESL/SEI/Bilingual Requirement for Renewal of Licenses
These can be obtained in a variety of ways, including but not limited to:
Completion of the Department Approved SEI Endorsement course (this course awarded 67.5 for the full teacher course, 22.5 PDPs for the short bridge course and 45 for the long bridge course)
Obtaining 15 PDPs on the topic in a workshop
Successful completion of the SEI MTEL, to obtain the SEI Endorsement, during the renewal cycle (passing the SEIM MTEL test is worth 15 PDPs)
NOTE: Not all educators are required to have the SEI endorsement but ALL educators, regardless of the type of Primary Professional license they are renewing are required to accrue 15PDPs in ESL/SEI/Bilingual.

23. SEI Course PDP Carryover
Educators that have already earned 150 PDPs, and have no need to use the PDPs earned from the Department SEI course, may “carry over” these PDPs from one renewal cycle to the next (one time only). NOTE: Educators choosing to carry over PDPs will need to retain their documentation for both renewal cycles in the event they are audited.

24. Inactive License Inactive License
A Professional license that is not renewed within the 5 year validity period is deemed inactive for a period of 5 calendar years.
If the educator is newly hired in a position requiring the license that has become inactive, he/she has two years from the start of new employment to complete the professional development requirements for the license.
If the educator was employed under a Professional license that has become inactive, the educator is no longer employable in that role and in that district with an inactive license, as the license has become invalid for legal employment under the license.

25. Example- Renewing an Inactive License
A Superintendent returned to the Commonwealth after living out of state for several years. When contacting the Licensure Office regarding what will be required to activate her currently “Inactive” license, she was provided with the requirements for renewing a Primary area license. As a new hire to the district, she understands that she will have two years from the date of hire to earn 150 PDPs

26. Invalid License
A Professional license not renewed within the 5 year inactive period, becomes invalid
A person that becomes employed under an inactive license that does not satisfy the renewal requirements within two years from the date of hire, would now have an invalid license.
An educator with an invalid license may not be employed under the license, unless the school district requests a Hardship Waiver for Employment from the Department, pursuant to 603 CMR For more details on applying for a Hardship Waiver for Inactive and Invalid licenses, school districts may contact the Commissioner’s Hotline or licensure office’s customer service call center at

27. Example- Renewing an Invalid License
A Theater teacher has been working on Broadway, however, she’s making her way back home to Malden to return to teaching. It’s been ten years since her renewal, therefore her license is invalid. When contacting the Licensure Office regarding what will be required to activate her currently “Invalid” license, she was provided with information about license renewal. She is no longer legally employable under her Invalid license. She now understands that she will need to collect 150 PDPs in order to renew her license and the Malden School District Superintendent may request a Renewal of Employment Waiver to employ her.

28. Grouping/Synchronizing Professional licenses
Educators have the option to group/synchronize the renewal dates of two or more Professional licenses by self selecting a new renewal date, as long as the Professional licenses are within one year from its renewal/expiration date. The date selected must be less than 5 years.
Pre 12/2016
Field, Level
Application Type
Status
Expiration Date
New Expiration Date
English, 5-8
English, 8-12
Academic
Licensed
6/16/2019
6/16/2020
6/16/2024
6/16/2025
New
Field, Level
Application Type
Status
Expiration Date
New Expiration Date (with Synchronization)
English, 5-8
English, 8-12
Academic
Licensed
6/16/2019
6/16/2020
6/16/2024

29. Scenarios: Early Renewal, Synchronization
Ms. Smith is currently a Foreign Language, Spanish teacher. Her Primary area license is her Foreign Language, French. Her “Additional Area” Professional license is her Foreign Language, Spanish. Her French license expires in Her Spanish license expires in What are her options?
1) She could let her French license move into an Inactive status since she’s not currently employed in the role of the license.
2) In 2020, she could renew both of her Spanish and French licenses, placing both licenses on the same renewal cycle (synchronize) or
3) Ms. Smith could renew both licenses: French and Spanish in She would be renewing her Spanish license early.

30. Scenarios-Primary Area Designation
Mr. Jones is teaching chemistry under an Initial level Chemistry license. He also holds a Biology Professional level license that is due for renewal in What are his options? 1. Mr. Jones can renew his Biology license by the expiration date with 150 PDPs as a Primary area since he would only be renewing one license. 2. He can choose to not renew his Biology license now meaning that his biology license will become inactive. He could later renew biology as an Additional license following earning and then renewing a Professional Chemistry license.

31. Scenario: Retell/SEI Restriction
Mr. Lord cannot renew his Professional level Mathematics license since he has a Retell/SEI Restriction. He has never been assigned any EL students in his class. How can this restriction be removed so he can renew the license?
Mr. Lord may request a letter (on official letterhead) from his Administrator verifying that he was not been assigned EL students in his classroom during his district’s cohort window. The letter should indicate the district’s cohort window,( ie., ). The letter can be uploaded into Mr. Lord’s ELAR account and then he should contact our licensure call center ( ) to have the letter reviewed and potentially lift the RETELL restriction.

32. Renewal Process
Over 95% of the applicants renew online through ELAR since renewal is immediate upon completion of the application.
The cost of renewing a Primary area license is $ The cost of renewing each Additional area license is $25.00
Payment for online renewal of licenses is through credit card or electronic check. For information on how to apply and pay online:
A paper renewal application is still acceptable, but will take considerably more time to process. Credit cards or checks are acceptable when renewing by paper.

33. Professional License Renewal Audit
To ensure the integrity of the license renewal process, a sampling of applicants are selected by ELAR for auditing.
Applicants may be selected for auditing whether or not they are employed in the role of their license or are retired.
Educators are responsible for maintaining original documentation of their PD activities for the next 5 years from date of renewal as well as a signed Plan (if employed in the role of the license). .
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34. Endorsements
Two Endorsements are subject to renewal – the Autism Endorsement and the Transition Specialist Endorsement.
Unlike licenses, these endorsements are not deemed as a Primary or Additional areas. Both Endorsements may be renewed with the accrual of 30 PDPs and an active prerequisite license.

35. Online DESE Resources to Assist with Licensure
License Renewal Guidelines
License Renewal-Frequently Asked Questions
Professional Development webpage (includes Guidelines for PD Providers, PD Provider Registry Search, Satisfying the requirements for PDPs in ESL/SEI, Special Education, and more)
Extending the Learning (SEI-related course offerings)
MELS- (NEW) Massachusetts Educator Licensure Series:
YouTube videos on topics related to all aspects of Educator Licensure and Renewing Your Professional Academic License

36. Office of Educator Licensure
THANK YOU
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about how to renew a Professional license. Thank you also for being an educator. Your efforts are commendable and greatly appreciated.
Office of Educator Licensure
75 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148

37. QUESTIONS