New Interim Resident Educator License Available for 2025-2026 School Year

The new Interim Resident Educator license is available for the 2025-2026 school year at the request of the employing school, district, or educational service center to candidates who have not successfully completed exam requirements for standard Resident Educator licensure. Eligible candidates are required to have completed an Ohio Department of Higher Education approved educator preparation program and scored at least 206 on the Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) content area and Foundations of Reading exams (if required) or Intermediate Mid on the ACTFL OPI and WPT assessments for world languages to obtain the one-year license. Additionally, candidates must pass the state required Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) professional knowledge exam or the edTPA for the initial Interim Resident Educator license. See the Interim Resident Educator License webpage for more information. 

Final Call for Ohio Teacher of the Year 2026 Nominations

Don’t miss the opportunity to recognize outstanding teachers. Nominations are being accepted through March 31 for the next Ohio Teacher of the Year. Anyone may nominate one or multiple teachers. School administrators, colleagues, community members, parents, or students may submit a nomination from a district or school building (self-nominations are not accepted). Each qualified nominee will receive a copy of their nomination, a certificate of recognition, and an invitation to apply to the program after the nomination period closes. Visit the Nominate an Outstanding Ohio Teacher webpage to view a message from 2025 Ohio Teacher of the Year Daneé Pinckney encouraging teacher nominees to complete the application process. 

New 40-Hour Temporary Computer Science License Now Available

The new license is available for industry professionals with computer science work experience. The one-year license is valid in only the employing Ohio school, district, or educational service center, and may only be used for teaching computer science in the grade band listed on the license for no more than 40 hours per week. Candidates must pass the required content exam for initial licensure. See the Temporary Computer Science License webpage for requirements and application instructions.

Time is Running out to Submit Teacher Nominations for Educator Standards Board

The State Board of Education is accepting nominations now through March 14 for school district teachers to serve on the Ohio Educator Standards Board (ESB) from June 2025 through June 2027. The ESB meetings are held virtually seven times a year. Nomination applications are requested for elementary school teachers, middle school teachers, secondary school teachers, teachers in chartered nonpublic schools, and community school representatives. Teachers must submit a letter of support from their district superintendent to the State Board of Education. Click here for more information.

Upcoming Improvements to Application and Background Check Process

Recently, members of our team participated in a LeanOhio event through the Department of Administrative Services to help identify process changes to improve efficiency. As a result, simple changes are coming to the licensure application process this spring. The most notable change will involve applicants completing required background checks and other license-specific application requirements simultaneously. Educators applying for their first license, or after a gap in licensure, should complete any background check requirements before or at the same time they apply since getting the full background check results can take up to 60 days or more. Other changes will include improved statuses in the CORE system to better show the status of applications and background checks.

Background checks are an important part of fulfilling our mission to keep students safe and continue having high quality licensed educators. Learn more about the background check process and how criminal convictions can affect licensure.

Spotlight on Professional Conduct: Social Media and Electronic Communications

It can be easy for today’s educators to run into trouble regarding their posts on social media and use of electronic communications with students and fellow educators. Teachers, coaches, administrators, and other licensed educators should remember that they must always use technology, electronic communications, and social media in a responsible and professional manner, especially when interacting with students and the school community. Review Principle 9 of the Licensure Code and #ABConduct Tip Sheet #1 for more information on how to mitigate risk and act professionally regarding electronic communications and social media.