 July 1, 2026
“For Sailing boats on little seas, Where just the smallest summer breeze can blow; for picking flowers any day; July comes for flags and play."
– Annette Wynne
- Certificate Expired–What Do I Do Now?
- Process Change: Approved Provider Clock Hour Transcripts
- eCert Modernization
- New eCert Payment Processor!
- Clock Hour Rules & Increments
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Certificate Expired–What Do I Do Now?
To reinstate your certificate, you must complete 100 clock hours (or the credit equivalent) within the five years immediately preceding your application.
Submit your reinstatement application through E-Certification (eCert). For application instructions and renewal requirements, see the Certificate Reissue & Renewal and How to Apply for a Certificate webpages.
Don't Qualify for Renewal?
If you hold a full, regular Teacher, CTE Educator, Administrator, or ESA certificate subject to renewal that has lapsed and do not currently meet the requirements to renew your certificate, you may qualify for a Transitional certificate.
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Process Change: Approved Provider Clock Hour Transcripts
Current Process
The OSPI Professional Certification Department currently accepts school district clock hour transcripts as documentation for certificate renewal. Because transcript formats vary and there are no standard content requirements, transcript reviews can be inconsistent and may delay the renewal process.
Effective October 1, 2026
The Professional Certification Department will only accept OSPI-approved school district transcripts as clock hour documentation.
Transcript Requirements
To be approved, a school district transcript must include:
- Educator's name
- Washington certificate number (if available)
- Course completion date
- Course title
- Number of clock hours earned
- Applicable hour designation(s):
- STEM
- Equity
- Leadership
- Fundamental Course of Study and Subject Matter
- School district or organization logo or official seal
- Signature of an authorized representative (such as an administrator, superintendent, clock hour manager, or human resources manager)
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If Your District's Transcript Does Not Meet the Requirements
School districts should update their transcript format to meet the requirements before October 1, 2026.
If a district does not issue transcripts, or its transcript has not been approved by OSPI, the Clock Hour Form (1125) may be used as clock hour documentation.
If Your District Was Previously Approved
If your district was previously listed as an approved transcript provider but is no longer on the approved list, please resubmit your transcript for review. As part of an ongoing effort to standardize the approval process, OSPI is reviewing all previously approved transcript formats.
Refer to the Pre-Approved Transcript Providers list on the Approved Providers webpage to verify your district's status.
How to Request Transcript Approval
If your district's transcript already meets the requirements above:
- Complete the Transcript Review Request Form.
- Submit only a copy of the school district transcript for review. Do not submit the Clock Hour Form (1125).
- OSPI will review the transcript and notify the district of the approval decision.
- Once approved, OSPI will maintain a copy of the transcript on file. If the district later revises its transcript, an updated copy must be submitted for review.
E-Certification Modernization
Updates to eCert began in Summer 2024 and are ongoing as part of an effort to modernize the system's pages and underlying code. These enhancements are designed to improve user experience (particularly on mobile devices) and streamline the task of entering clock hours by reducing the number of steps required. Updated eCert user guides reflecting these system changes will be released soon.
Recent Updates
Home Page with user-friendly tiles. Here, educators can access:
- Dashboard Options
- Profile Information
- Educator Action Center
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Dashboard Options:
- Print Certificates
- Tests
- Fees
- Print History
- History
- Comm Log
- Emails
- NBPTS
- Expertise
- Clock Hours
- Education History
- Work History
- References
- Course Codes
- Military Affilation
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The Educator Action Center provides personalized options based on the educator's current certificate status in eCert. |
New navigation steps for adding clock hours. To add continuing education, educators can now select the "Clock Hours" tile from the Dashboard Options and follow the wizard steps to log their professional development hours.
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New eCert Payment Processor!
- Improved payment processor launched for better user experience
- The eCert system submits the application once the educator gets to the payment
- Please note that applications will submit even if payment is not successful
- Educator will have a fee deficiency
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Clock Hour Rules & Increments
Professional development courses must be offered for a minimum of 1 clock hour. In accordance with WAC 181-85-030, approved clock hour providers and OSPI must round continuing education credit down to the nearest one-half hour (.50 or .00) based on the actual time completed.
Examples:
- A course offered for 1.75 hours is awarded 1.50 clock hours.
A course offered for 1.25 hours is awarded 1.00 clock hour.
Courses Entered in Quarter-Hour Increments
If a course is entered into eCert using quarter-hour increments (for example, 1.25 or 1.75 hours),OSPI will round the hours down to the nearest whole or half-hour increment.
Courses Less Than One Hour
Courses offered for less than 1 clock hour do not meet the minimum requirement established in WAC 181-85-030 and cannot be counted toward completed clock hours.
Accurate ESA Assignment and Reporting Matters
Educational Staff Associates (ESAs) must be assigned and reported in accordance with the role authorized by their certificate or permit. Ensuring staff are appropriately assigned helps districts remain compliant with state requirements and reduces the risk of staffing or reporting issues.
Resources:
WAC 181-82-125 states that no person may be assigned within the basic education program to serve in a specific ESA role unless they hold a certificate or permit endorsed for that role.
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Resources
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Questions?
If you or an educator has questions regarding information in this newsletter, reach out to our Professional Certification Customer Service team at 360-725-6400 or by email at cert@k12.wa.us, and one of our Program Specialists will assist you.
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The OSPI Professional Certification Department thanks you for your collaboration in support of Washington state educators!
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