August 2026

Educational Examiners Newsletter

Contents

• Frequently asked questions at the beginning of the school year:
• Recent Cases

Frequently asked questions at the beginning of the school year:

Has the processing time changed for renewal of a license/authorization?

Processing times have changed due to additional application requirements. Effective July 1, 2026, all licensure applications will include verification of citizenship or work authorization. To avoid delays, apply at least 8 weeks before the expiration date of your license. 

The application must have all the appropriate documents uploaded and “pending internal review”.  Fingerprints must be completed through Fieldprint if the applicant doesn’t currently hold a license with the BoEE.  Fieldprint Instructions

Strategies to ensure accuracy in the application process.

• Official transcripts need to be issued to the applicant and uploaded by the applicant.  Please do not send or email official transcripts to BoEE office staff.
• Upload the 2-hour 169 Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter Certification.  We are no longer taking the 1-hour refresher course. Dependent Adult Abuse is no longer required for licensure.
• Letters verifying 10 years experience for the Advanced Degree +10 Years of Experience application must be on school letterhead, stating years of experience and role of the applicant.  No performance information is needed. This can be issued by HR or an administrator. 
• Applications can be submitted 1 year in advance. 

Extensions of Initial, Standard or Master Educator licenses can be requested and are typically issued within 24-48 business hours.

• The applicant can’t currently be on an extension.
• Requires a Letter of Support form, which is in the checklist of the application, to be completed by the administration.

How can a teacher get a conditional license?

Conditional Licensure. For fully-licensed teachers, a conditional license may be an option. Teachers applying for any type of conditional licensure must have administrator support, which is explained in more detail below:

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 license 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 endorsements and is seeking to obtain some other endorsement.
• The employer requests the Executive Director Decision License be issued.
• The employer verifies a diligent search has been conducted to find a fully licensed teacher for the position.
• The individual seeking this endorsement is not eligible for the Class B License.

Contacts for conditional licenses:

• Dave Wempen david.wempen@iowa.gov, Consultant - general education conditional licenses 
• Max Seeman  max.seeman@iowa.gov, Consultant - special education conditional licenses 

Tips for conditional licensure:

• The applicant’s main license must be valid. 
• The Executive Director Decision conditional license is valid for one academic year and cannot be renewed or extended. Enough coursework must be completed to be eligible for the Class B conditional license for the following year. 
• The Class B conditional license is valid for two academic years. A final one-year extension is only allowed if progress has been made in coursework during the term of the Class B license.
• Administrators who have teachers working under conditional licenses should schedule regular check-ins to make sure coursework progress is being made.

How can a person become a teacher in Iowa?

Currently, there is no pathway for a person to simply pass a test to become a teacher. Iowa does offer multiple pathways to teaching:

Pathways to Teaching

What endorsement allows administrators to evaluate staff and make recommendations for license conversions?

All school personnel responsible for evaluating teachers and administrators must have endorsement #190. It shows up on the license as “Evaluator (New).” This endorsement was created in response to the revision of the Iowa Teaching Standards and came into effect during the 2005-2006 school year. The previous evaluator endorsement, #183, is no longer sufficient to conduct evaluations or make recommendations for license conversions because its preparation was not aligned to the new teaching standards.

By not having the proper endorsement on a valid administrator license, administrators risk delaying the conversion process for staff seeking their Standard Teaching Licenses or Professional Administrator Licenses. If you have questions about the 190 endorsement, then please contact Josh Moser at josh.moser@iowa.gov or 515-326-5367.

How do administrators and HR directors request substitutes for vacancies, extensions of substitute authorization limits, and/or paraeducators with substitute authorizations to serve outside of their assigned classrooms?

The request form for the 2026-2027 school year will be made available in early August. All requests for substitute exemptions and permissions can be submitted through links found on the updated “Licensure Tips for Administrators” portion of our website. There are three different forms for use, depending on your district’s needs:

• Extensions for Substitute Authorization Limits
• Paraeducators with Substitute Authorizations to Serve Outside of Their Classroom
• Vacant Positions to be Filled by Licensed Substitutes

Please complete forms in their entirety - there are additional questions for this school year compared to prior years’ iterations. Requests will be completed as soon as possible. Approvals will be issued in the form of an email addressed to the requesting administrator and the requested substitute.

What are the licensing options for coaches?

• Class B
• Can be added to a valid teaching license
• All licensed teachers are automatically eligible for a Class B Coaching Endorsement
• 2 years to pursue either the endorsement OR the authorization
• CPR, Concussion in Sports, DS 169
• Coaching Endorsement
• Can only be added to a teaching license
• College credit coursework in the following areas:
• Structure and Function of the Human Body
• Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries
• Human Growth and Development
• Theory/Methods and Ethics of Coaching
• CPR, Concussion in Sports, DS 169
• Coaching Authorization
• 18+
• 55 hour authorization course from an approved provider or college credit coursework
• CPR, Concussion in Sports, DS 169
• Transitional Coaching Authorization
• 21+
• Transitional Coaching Starter course from an approved provider (AEA, NEACA, SWICC)
• Employment Verification form (found in application)
• Valid for one year, complete Transitional Coaching Finisher course from an approved provider  (AEA, NEACA, SWICC)
• Concussion in Sports & DS 169

What are the licensing options for athletic administrators?

• An individual serving as an AD must hold a valid Iowa Teaching License, Administrator License or Activities Administrator Authorization. Outside of the AAA, any credential that does not require a teacher preparation program, would not allow an individual to serve as an AD. (Coaching Authorization, CTE Authorization, Professional Service License, School Business Official Authorization, Statement of Professional Recognition, etc.)
• The AAA can be obtained by anyone with a bachelor’s degree or higher, it no longer has to be a degree in athletic administration or related field.
• 21+
• LTI coursework (or equivalent college coursework)
• LTC 501, LTC 502, LTC 503, LTC 504, LTC 506 and LTC 508. ​Please visit this link to view the LTI course descriptions and this link to learn how to take the courses.
• Concussion in Sports & DS 169
• Evaluator training is not required for ADs.  They are allowed to evaluate coaches and activities personnel without an evaluator license.

Are there any resources for educators?

Educator Licensure 

Licensure Tips for Administrators

Professional School Counseling License Options

Login to the Salesforce system to apply, renew, or convert a license

BEDS Crosswalk

Directory for Educational Examiners

Recent Cases