A Maine Professional Teaching Certificate is not a lifetime credential. It is valid for a fixed period of years, and teachers who allow it to lapse face significant professional and financial consequences — from a required new credential application and additional requirements to the inability to legally serve as the teacher of record in a Maine public school.
Maine’s certificate renewal system is designed to ensure that educators remain current in their professional practice throughout their careers. It requires completion of professional development activities — either coursework or contact hours — along with maintaining an up-to-date criminal history records check (CHRC). The system is deliberately flexible about the form professional development takes, but it is non-negotiable about the deadline.
This Prepsaret guide provides the complete, authoritative picture of Maine teaching certificate renewal — covering every renewal requirement, the CHRC and fingerprinting rules, how to handle a lapsed certificate, the special retiree exception, the National Board Certified Teacher’s different renewal cycle, and the step-by-step MEIS renewal process.
All data is drawn from the Maine Department of Education (MDOE), the Maine Education Association (MEA), Maine Title 20-A §13013, the MDOE Chapter 115, and the MDOE Certification FAQ.
| The Single Most Important Rule About Maine Certificate Renewal |
| Submit your renewal documentation BEFORE your certificate expires. |
| If your certificate expires without renewal, you enter a 6-month grace period (proposed to extend to 12 months). |
| If your certificate lapses more than 6 months beyond the expiration date (or 12 months under the proposed rule), you can no longer renew it — you must submit a new credential application, which carries additional requirements. |
| MEIS sends an alert to your profile 6 months before your credentials expire — but do not rely on that alert as your only reminder. Track your own expiration date. |
| Sources: MDOE Certification Renewals (maine.gov/doe/cert/renewals); teachercertificationdegrees.com Maine (March 2026) — ‘6 months before credentials expire’; Maine DOE Newsroom (Oct 7, 2025) — proposed extension from 6 to 12 months. |
Maine Certificate Renewal: Key Numbers at a Glance
| 5 yrs
Professional Cert. Validity Maine Title 20-A §13013; MDOE |
10 yrs
NBPTS Cert. Renewal Period If National Board Certified |
6 mo.
Lapse Grace Period MDOE cert/renewals; 12 mo. proposed |
6 hrs
PD Credit Hours (Semester) OR 90 contact hours; MEA |
| 90 hrs
Contact Hours (Alternative) 1 CEU = 10 contact hrs; MEA |
5 yrs
CHRC Valid Period MDOE FAQ; unless continuously employed |
$55
IdentoGO Fingerprint Fee MDOE FAQ; for CHRC renewal |
6 mo.
MEIS Renewal Alert Alert sent before expiry; MDOE |
Sources: Maine Education Association (maineea.org/renewing-your-teacher-certification/, January 6, 2026) — 5 yrs validity; 6 semester hours or 90 contact hours; 1 CEU=10 hours; 6-month lapse; retiree exception; MDOE Certification FAQ (maine.gov/doe/cert/faq) — CHRC every 5 years; $55 IdentoGO; MDOE Certification Renewals (maine.gov/doe/cert/renewals) — 6-month lapse; new credentials if >6 months; renewateachinglicense.com (March 7, 2025) — 5-yr cert; 10-yr NBPTS; teachercertificationdegrees.com Maine (March 1, 2026) — MEIS 6-month alert; InTASC Professional Renewal Plan.
Legal Foundation: Title 20-A §13013 and MDOE Chapter 115
Maine teaching certificate renewal is governed by two interconnected legal authorities:
- Maine Revised Statutes Title 20-A, Section 13013 — Professional teacher certificate: The primary statute governing the Maine Professional Teaching Certificate. Title 20-A §13013 establishes: (1) that the certificate is valid for a period set by the State Board of Education; (2) renewal standards set by the Board; (3) the specific exception for retired educators with lapsed certificates (see Section 12); and (4) the requirement that the CHRC be current. The statute’s subsection 5 establishes renewal standards and subsection 6 the retiree exception.
- MDOE Chapter 115 — The Credentialing of Education Personnel: The administrative regulation that implements Title 20-A §13013. Chapter 115 Part I Section 6.8 and related provisions govern certificate renewal, CHRC currency, and the lapse rules. Current through June 25, 2025 per Justia Law. The proposed revision released in October 2025 contains significant proposed updates to renewal-related provisions.
- Maine Title 20-A Chapter 502 §13012-B: The reciprocal professional certificate statute, which has implications for out-of-state renewal.
Sources: Title 20-A §13013 — mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/20-a/title20-Asec13013.html (extracted October 20, 2025); Maine DOE Newsroom (October 7, 2025) — proposed Chapter 115 revisions; Chapter 115 Part I (current February 10, 2025) via maine.gov PDF.
Certificate Validity Periods: Professional and NBPTS
The validity period of your Maine teaching certificate determines when you must renew. Different certificate types have different validity periods.
Professional Teaching Certificate: 5 Years
The Maine Professional Teaching Certificate is valid for 5 years from the date of issuance or most recent renewal. This is the standard renewable teaching credential for all certified Maine teachers who have completed the provisional certificate period (2 years) and the required teaching experience.
Sources: MEA renewal guide (maineea.org, January 6, 2026) — ‘Teaching certificates are valid for 5 years’; Title 20-A §13013 (subsection 4) — validity period set by State Board; All Education Schools Maine (Feb 5, 2026) — ‘The license is valid for five years and can be renewed.’
National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT): 10 Years
Teachers who have earned certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) have a notably longer Maine certificate renewal period: 10 years instead of 5.
Per the renewateachinglicense.com Maine guide (current as of March 7, 2025): ‘A professional teacher certificate must be renewed every 5 years. If the teacher has attained certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, the renewal period is for 10 years.’
This doubled renewal cycle is one of the significant practical benefits of earning National Board Certification. NBPTS certification is recognized across states and substantially reduces administrative renewal burden.
Sources: renewateachinglicense.com Maine — ‘NBPTS renewal period is for 10 years’; renewateachinglicense.com (March 7, 2025); MDOE certification policies.
Provisional Certificate: 2 Years
The Provisional Certificate (the entry-level certificate for new teachers) is valid for 2 years and is extendable for 1 additional year if necessary. The Provisional Certificate does not follow the same renewal cycle as the Professional Certificate — it is advanced to a Professional Certificate upon completion of at least 2 years of successful teaching. There is no standard ‘renewal’ of the Provisional Certificate itself; it is a transitional credential.
Core Renewal Requirements: The 6-Hour / 90-Hour Standard
The fundamental professional development requirement for Maine Professional Teaching Certificate renewal is simple and consistently stated across all authoritative sources: complete either 6 semester hours or 90 contact hours of education-related professional development within the 5-year certificate period.
| Core Maine Renewal Requirement — Complete ONE of Two Options |
| OPTION 1 — Semester Credit Hours: Complete SIX (6) semester hours of education-related coursework. This is typically equivalent to 2 approved college courses (usually 3 semester hours each). Courses must pertain to education. |
| OPTION 2 — Contact Hours: Complete NINETY (90) contact hours of professional development. (1 CEU = 10 contact hours, meaning 9 CEUs = 90 contact hours) |
| COMBINATION OPTION: A combination of semester hours and contact hours may also be accepted — confirm the specific documentation requirements with your district and the MDOE. |
| ALL OPTIONS: Documentation of completed professional development must be entered and maintained; MEIS is used for application and submission of evidence. |
| COURSE CONTENT REQUIREMENT: Professional development must be ‘relevant to the education industry’ (renewateachinglicense.com) or ‘pertain to education’ (Waldenu.edu Maine renewal guide). |
| Sources: MEA renewal guide (maineea.org, January 6, 2026); teachercertificationdegrees.com Maine (March 2026); renewateachinglicense.com (March 7, 2025); Waldenu.edu Maine state requirements; fullmindlearning.com Maine PD requirements (April 2026). |
Unit Conversion: Semester Hours, Contact Hours, and CEUs
Understanding the relationship between different units of professional development measurement is essential for planning renewal activities and tracking progress.
| Unit | Equivalent | Maine Renewal Value | Notes |
| 1 Semester Credit Hour | 1.5 CEUs = 15 clock hours (Model Teaching formula) | Counts toward the 6-semester-hour requirement | Verified by official transcript from accredited institution |
| 1 CEU (Continuing Education Unit) | 10 contact hours | 10 of the 90 required contact hours | Standard across most professional development providers |
| 1 Contact Hour | 0.1 CEU = 1/10th of a CEU | 1 of the 90 required contact hours | Used for workshops, conferences, training sessions |
| 90 Contact Hours (total) | 9 CEUs | Fulfills the full renewal requirement (contact hour route) | Equivalent to Option 2 (no college credit needed) |
| 6 Semester Credit Hours | 9 CEUs / 90 contact hours / 6 college credits | Fulfills the full renewal requirement (credit hour route) | Verified by official university transcript |
Sources: MEA renewal guide (maineea.org) — ‘1 CEU = 10 contact hours’; Model Teaching Maine PD page (modelteaching.com) — ‘1 credit = 1 semester hour = 1.5 CEUs = 15 clock hours’; fullmindlearning.com Maine PD requirements (April 2026) — ‘6 semester hours or 90 contact hours; 1 CEU = 10 contact hours.’
Practical illustration: A teacher who completes 2 three-credit graduate courses (6 semester hours total) fulfills the credit-hour requirement. A teacher who attends 45 hours of approved district-provided professional development AND completes one 3-credit online course (45 contact hours + 3 credits x 15 contact hours equivalent = 90 contact hours) fulfills the contact-hour route. The key is keeping documentation of all completed activities.
What Qualifies as Acceptable Professional Development
Maine’s renewal system is relatively flexible about the types of professional development that count, provided they meet the education-relevance requirement. The key qualification is that courses or activities must be related to the education industry.
Acceptable Forms of Professional Development
- Graduate or undergraduate college coursework: Courses at an accredited college or university that are related to education. Graduate-level courses at a regionally-accredited institution are the gold standard; undergraduate courses may also qualify. The Model Teaching Maine page notes that courses from regionally accredited university partners are acceptable for renewal.
- Approved professional development workshops and seminars: District-provided or externally provided professional development workshops, training sessions, and seminars that are education-related. Must be properly documented.
- Education-related conferences: Hours spent at education conferences may qualify as contact hours when properly documented.
- Online professional development courses: Per renewateachinglicense.com and Professional Learning Board: ‘Online classes for educators in Maine must be relevant to the education industry.’ Online courses from regionally-accredited university partners or approved PD providers qualify.
- CEU-granting programs: Programs that award Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from accredited providers are accepted (1 CEU = 10 contact hours).
The Education-Relevance Requirement
Maine requires that professional development activities be related to education. The Waldenu.edu Maine state requirements page states: ‘Courses must pertain to education to be accepted.’
The renewateachinglicense.com guide notes: ‘Online classes for educators in Maine must be relevant to the education industry.’ This requirement ensures that renewal professional development actually benefits teaching practice rather than being purely personal enrichment.
Content that clearly qualifies: curriculum and instruction; child/adolescent development; classroom management; subject-matter pedagogy; assessment and evaluation; special education topics; technology in education; culturally responsive teaching; school leadership; educational research; educational psychology; literacy instruction.
Content that may not qualify: purely personal enrichment courses (fitness, cooking, personal finance) unless they have a clear and documented educational application. When in doubt, confirm with the MDOE Certification Office at [email protected] before enrolling.
✔ Best Practice: When in doubt about whether a course or activity qualifies, submit a Request Course Approval form to the Maine Department of Education before completing the activity. The Model Teaching Maine page notes this option: ‘If you would still like to confirm approval of a course, please complete and email our Request Course Approval form to the Maine Department of Education.’
Tracking and Documentation
Maine educators are responsible for maintaining their own records of completed professional development activities. Per the fullmindlearning.com Maine PD requirements guide: ‘Maine educators need to create a digital folder to track hours and tally their hours at the end of each year, before deciding what PD to complete the following year.’ These records must be available when submitting the renewal application through MEIS.
Sources: Waldenu.edu Maine state requirements (academics.waldenu.edu/teacher-licensure/state-requirements/maine); renewateachinglicense.com Maine (March 7, 2025); Professional Learning Board (renewateachinglicense.com); modelteaching.com Maine (August 2024); fullmindlearning.com Maine (April 2026).
The Professional Renewal Plan (InTASC Standards)
In addition to completing 6 semester hours or 90 contact hours of professional development, Maine educators must also submit a Professional Renewal Plan as part of the renewal process. This plan is based on the InTASC Model Core Teaching Standards.
What the Professional Renewal Plan Requires
Per the teachercertificationdegrees.com Maine guide (March 2026): ‘All teachers must also complete six semester credits of education courses or 90 contact hours to qualify for renewal. In addition, Maine educators must submit a Professional Renewal Plan using the InTASC Model Core Standards to guide their goals.’
The InTASC (Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium) Model Core Teaching Standards describe what effective teachers should know and do across 10 standards organized around four broad areas: the learner and learning, content, instructional practice, and professional responsibility.
The Professional Renewal Plan documents how the teacher’s professional development activities connect to and advance their practice against these standards.
InTASC Model Core Teaching Standards
| Standard Category | Standards Covered | Focus |
| The Learner and Learning | Standards 1-3 | Learner development; learning differences; learning environments |
| Content | Standards 4-5 | Content knowledge; application of content |
| Instructional Practice | Standards 6-8 | Assessment; planning for instruction; instructional strategies |
| Professional Responsibility | Standards 9-10 | Professional learning and ethical practice; leadership and collaboration |
Sources: teachercertificationdegrees.com Maine (March 2026) — ‘submit a Professional Renewal Plan using the InTASC Model Core Standards’; CCSSO InTASC Standards (ccsso.org/resources/publications/intasc-model-core-teaching-standards); MDOE professional development guidance.
What to Include in the Professional Renewal Plan
The Professional Renewal Plan should connect the teacher’s completed (or planned) professional development activities to specific InTASC standards. It should document:
- Which InTASC standard(s) the teacher is addressing through each professional development activity
- Professional learning goals for the renewal cycle tied to InTASC standards
- How completed activities have or will advance practice against the identified standards
- Evidence of professional growth (artifacts, reflections, or other documentation)
Maine school districts may have specific templates or formats for the Professional Renewal Plan. Teachers in Maine public schools should work with their Support Chair (see Section 14) for district-specific guidance on the Professional Renewal Plan format and submission.
The CHRC (Background Check) Renewal Requirement
One of the most easily overlooked renewal requirements is the Criminal History Records Check (CHRC). Unlike the professional development requirement (which is one-time per 5-year cycle), the CHRC has its own ongoing validity and renewal rules — and failing to have a current CHRC can block certificate renewal.
CHRC Validity and the 5-Year Rule
Per the MDOE Certification FAQ (maine.gov/doe/cert/faq): ‘How often do I need to have my fingerprints taken? Every 5 years unless you have been continuously employed for the last 5 years by a Maine school district.’
This creates two distinct situations:
- Continuously employed in a Maine school district for the full 5-year certificate period: New fingerprinting may NOT be required for renewal. The existing CHRC remains valid because continuous employment provides ongoing monitoring.
- NOT continuously employed (e.g., career break, out-of-state teaching, non-public school employment): New fingerprinting IS required every 5 years. If your CHRC has expired due to non-continuous employment, you must complete new fingerprinting before your certificate renewal will be processed.
Source: MDOE Certification FAQ (maine.gov/doe/cert/faq) — ‘Every 5 years unless you have been continuously employed for the last 5 years by a Maine school district’; teachercertificationdegrees.com Maine (March 2026) — ‘CHRCs also expire every five years, so a new background check application must be completed before renewal.’
CHRC Renewal vs. New CHRC Application
The MDOE Certification FAQ contains an important clarification: ‘There are technically no renewals of a CHRC (background check), so please submit a new credential application.’
This means that when your CHRC needs to be updated, you are not submitting a CHRC renewal — you are applying for new credentials through MEIS, which triggers the new background check process.
The MDOE Certification Renewals page confirms: ‘There are technically no renewals of a CHRC (background check), so please submit a new credential application.’
Sources: maine.gov/doe/cert/renewals; maine.gov/doe/cert/faq.
When Is New Fingerprinting Required?
Fingerprinting through IdentoGO ($55 fee) is required in specific situations related to certificate renewal. Understanding exactly when fingerprinting is required prevents delays.
| Situation | New Fingerprinting Required? | Why |
| Continuously employed by same Maine school district for full 5-year certificate period | No (may not be required) | Continuous employment provides background monitoring; existing CHRC typically remains valid |
| Certificate lapsed more than 6 months (expired) | Yes | Per MDOE FAQ: ‘If your certificate has lapsed (more than 6 months expired), you will need to be fingerprinted’ |
| Not continuously employed by a Maine school district for full 5 years | Yes, every 5 years | CHRC is time-limited to 5 years for those without continuous Maine district employment |
| Substitute teachers — ALL cases | Yes, every 5 years regardless | MDOE FAQ: ‘Coaches and Substitute Teachers must be fingerprinted every 5 years, regardless of continuous employment’ |
| Coaches — ALL cases | Yes, every 5 years regardless | Same requirement as substitute teachers; no continuous employment exception |
| Previously fingerprinted for another job/state | Yes — new Maine-specific fingerprinting required | Maine does not accept fingerprint results from another state or department; must be fingerprinted specifically for Maine DOE |
Source: MDOE Certification FAQ (maine.gov/doe/cert/faq) — all rules cited directly: ‘Every 5 years unless continuously employed’; ‘lapsed certificate requires fingerprinting’; ‘Coaches and Substitute Teachers must be fingerprinted every 5 years, regardless’; ‘Maine does not accept fingerprint results from another state or department.
How to Complete IdentoGO Fingerprinting for Renewal
- Step 1: Submit a new credential application through MEIS (the CHRC application with a $15 fee). IdentoGO will not process your fingerprints without this MEIS application.
- Step 2: Register with IdentoGO at identogo.com or through the Maine DOE fingerprinting link. Select a fingerprinting appointment (in-person at a Maine IdentoGO location, or mail-in for out-of-state applicants). The IdentoGO fee is $55.
- Out-of-state option: Register with IdentoGO, select ‘out of state applicant,’ and follow the mail-in instructions provided. The $55 fee still applies.
- IMPORTANT: Wait until MEIS CHRC application is submitted BEFORE completing fingerprinting. The MDOE FAQ states: ‘The application includes a $15 fee. Instructions on how to apply for CHRC only’ — implying the $15 MEIS application must precede fingerprinting.
Sources: MDOE Certification FAQ (maine.gov/doe/cert/faq); Bowdoin Teacher Scholars fingerprinting page (bowdoin.edu/education/teacher-scholars/testing-fingerprinting.html) — $15 MEIS fee + $55 IdentoGO fee.
10. The 6-Month Lapse Rule — and the Proposed 12-Month Extension
The lapse rule is one of the most critical aspects of Maine certificate renewal, with potentially serious career consequences if triggered.
Current Lapse Rule (as of June 2025)
Per the MDOE Certification Renewals page and the MEA renewal guide: teachers can renew their credentials if their certificate has not been expired more than six months. If the certificate expired more than 6 months prior, the teacher must submit an application for new credentials — not a renewal application.
The MEA renewal guide states explicitly: ‘Your certificate lapses 6 months after the expiration date. A lapse will result in additional requirements.’
Sources: maine.gov/doe/cert/renewals — ‘You can renew your credentials if your certificate has not been expired more than six months. If your certificate did expire more than 6 months prior, please submit an application for new credentials’; MEA (maineea.org, January 6, 2026) — lapse quote.
Proposed Extension to 12 Months (October 2025 Proposed Revision)
The proposed Chapter 115 revision released for public comment in October 2025 includes a significant change to the lapse rule. Per the Maine DOE Newsroom (October 7, 2025): ‘Renewal lapsed grace period extended from six months to twelve months.’ This would double the grace period from 6 to 12 months, giving teachers significantly more time to complete renewal after their certificate expires.
⚠ Pending Adoption: As of the current operative Chapter 115 (current through June 25, 2025), the lapse rule remains at 6 months. The proposed extension to 12 months is not yet in effect. Monitor MDOE Newsroom and maine.gov/doe/cert for updates on the adoption status of the proposed Chapter 115 revision.
MEIS Alert System
MEIS sends an alert to a teacher’s profile 6 months before their credentials expire, per the teachercertificationdegrees.com Maine guide: ‘Teachers will receive an alert on their MEIS profile six months before their credentials expire.’
This alert should prompt immediate action to begin the renewal process. However, this is a convenience feature, not a legal protection — if the certificate expires without renewal, the lapse consequences apply regardless of whether the teacher received or noticed the alert.
✔ Best Practice: Track your certificate expiration date independently of MEIS alerts. Set a personal calendar reminder for 12 months before your certificate expires. This gives you ample time to complete any outstanding professional development, gather documentation, prepare your Professional Renewal Plan, and submit through MEIS well before the expiration date.
Renewing a Lapsed Certificate
If your certificate has lapsed (expired more than 6 months ago), renewal is no longer possible — you must begin the new credentials application process. This is a more demanding and time-consuming process than standard renewal.
What the New Credentials Application Requires
For a lapsed certificate, the MDOE treats the application as a new initial certification application in most respects. Required elements typically include:
- New MEIS account (if not maintained) and new credential application
- New fingerprinting and CHRC through IdentoGO ($15 MEIS application + $55 IdentoGO fee)
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
- Evidence of meeting current Chapter 115 endorsement requirements (requirements may have changed since initial certification, particularly given the June 2022 update)
- Program verification form (if transcript does not indicate graduation from an approved program)
- Relevant application fee ($100 initial application + $35 per endorsement)
Critically, if Chapter 115 requirements for your endorsement area have changed since your initial certification (which they have, given the June 2022 major revision), you may be held to the new requirements — not the requirements that existed when you were originally certified.
This can mean additional coursework or other requirements that were not part of your original certification.
⚠ Seek MDOE Guidance: If your certificate has lapsed, contact the MDOE Certification Office at [email protected] before submitting any application to get specific guidance on what you need to provide given your individual certification history and current Chapter 115 requirements.
The Retiree Exception: Lapsed Certificate Reissuance
Maine provides a specific statutory exception for retired educators whose certificates have lapsed. This exception is established in Maine Revised Statutes Title 20-A, Section 13013, Subsection 6.
The Statute
Title 20-A §13013(6) states: ‘The commissioner may issue a professional teacher certificate to a person who is receiving a retirement benefit from the State Employee and Teacher Retirement Program established under Title 5, section 17602 and who was employed for at least 10 years by a public school, who has been receiving a retirement benefit for no more than 5 years and who, immediately before receiving that benefit, possessed an active professional teacher certificate in good standing that has subsequently lapsed.
The professional teacher certificate must be issued with the same grades and subject areas endorsements as were issued with the active professional teacher certificate that was held by the teacher at the time of the teacher’s retirement.
A professional teacher certificate issued under this subsection is for the same period as specified in subsection 4 and subject to the same renewal standards as specified in subsection 5.’
Source: Maine Revised Statutes Title 20-A §13013(6) — mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/20-a/title20-Asec13013.html (extracted October 20, 2025).
Who Qualifies for the Retiree Exception
| Retiree Lapsed Certificate Exception — ALL of the Following Must Be Met |
| 1. RETIREMENT BENEFIT: Currently receiving a retirement benefit from Maine’s State Employee and Teacher Retirement Program (MainePERS/STRS). |
| 2. YEARS OF SERVICE: Employed for at least TEN (10) years by a public school in Maine. |
| 3. RECENCY OF RETIREMENT: Has been receiving the retirement benefit for NO MORE THAN FIVE (5) years (i.e., retired within the past 5 years). |
| 4. CERTIFICATE STATUS AT RETIREMENT: Immediately before receiving the retirement benefit, possessed an active professional teacher certificate in good standing that has since lapsed. |
| RESULT: Commissioner may issue a new Professional Teaching Certificate with the same grade levels and subject area endorsements as the certificate held at retirement. |
| VALIDITY: Issued for the same 5-year period and subject to the same renewal standards as any other Professional Certificate. |
| NOTE: The MEA guide also notes this provision: ‘If you are a teacher who taught for more than ten years, retired in good standing, and retired fewer than five years ago, you may be eligible to have your teaching certificate reissued — even if it has lapsed.’ |
| Sources: Title 20-A §13013(6) — mainelegislature.org; MEA renewal guide (maineea.org, January 6, 2026). |
The MEIS Renewal Process: Step-by-Step
All Maine teaching certificate renewals are processed through the Maine Educator Information System (MEIS) at maine.gov/doe/educators/licensing/meis. The MDOE Certification Renewals page confirms: ‘All Applications can be completed online through our Maine Educator Information System (MEIS).’ Firefox does not work with MEIS — use Chrome, Safari, or another alternative.
- Log into your MEIS account: Access maine.gov/doe/educators/licensing/meis using Chrome or Safari. Log in with your existing credentials. If you have not logged in recently, verify your account is current.
- Check your current certification status: Once logged in, you can see your current certification, the status of any pending applications, and any communication from the MDOE. Verify your certificate’s expiration date.
- Work with your Support Chair (if employed in a Maine public school): Per MDOE: ‘Please note that if you work in a Maine Public School, you will have a Support Chair that will recommend you for renewal. Please work with that individual as Maine School Districts may have additional expectations.’ (See Section 14 for more on the Support Chair system.)
- Compile your professional development documentation. Gather transcripts, certificates of completion, or other documentation for all professional development activities completed during the certificate period. Ensure your activities total 6 semester hours or 90 contact hours.
- Prepare your Professional Renewal Plan. Complete a Professional Renewal Plan aligned to InTASC Model Core Teaching Standards. Include how your professional development activities address specific InTASC standards and advance your teaching practice.
- Determine CHRC requirements. Check whether new fingerprinting is required (see Sections 8-9). If you have been continuously employed by the same Maine school district, new fingerprinting may not be required. If fingerprinting is required, complete the CHRC application through MEIS ($15 fee) and schedule IdentoGO fingerprinting ($55 fee) BEFORE or simultaneously with renewal.
- Submit the renewal application. Through MEIS, submit the renewal application with all required documentation. If you have sent transcripts previously, they do not need to be resubmitted unless you have new or updated transcripts.
- Wait for processing. Maine certificate processing typically takes 4-6 weeks for complete applications. Monitor your MEIS profile for status updates. Once renewed, your updated certificate is accessible electronically through MEIS (Maine issues paperless certificates).
Sources: maine.gov/doe/cert/renewals; maine.gov/doe/cert/application; MDOE Certification FAQ (maine.gov/doe/cert/faq); All Education Schools Maine (Feb 5, 2026) — 4-6 weeks processing.
The Support Chair System
For teachers employed in Maine public schools (School Administrative Units / SAUs), the renewal process involves a specific institutional role: the Support Chair. Understanding this system helps teachers navigate renewal smoothly.
Who is the Support Chair?
The Support Chair is a designated individual within your Maine school district who is responsible for supporting educators through the certification and renewal process. The MDOE Certification Renewals page states: ‘Please note that if you work in a Maine Public School, you will have a Support Chair that will recommend you for renewal. Please work with that individual as Maine School Districts may have additional expectations.’
What the Support Chair Does
- Recommends renewal: The Support Chair recommends eligible teachers for certificate renewal through the MEIS system
- Provides district-specific guidance: Since ‘Maine School Districts may have additional expectations,’ the Support Chair communicates district-specific professional development requirements, documentation standards, or renewal plan formats
- Coordinates with MDOE: Serves as the institutional liaison between the teacher and the MDOE’s certification processes
Finding Your Support Chair
Your Support Chair is typically found in your school’s or district’s administrative office. If you are unsure who your Support Chair is, contact your school’s principal or the district’s HR or certification coordinator. Starting the renewal process by contacting your Support Chair ensures you are aware of any district-specific requirements beyond the MDOE’s baseline standards.
✔ Important: Even if your district’s Support Chair coordinates your renewal recommendation, the ultimate responsibility for meeting all renewal requirements — 6 hours or 90 contact hours, Professional Renewal Plan, current CHRC — rests with you, the individual teacher. Do not assume your Support Chair is tracking your professional development hours.
National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) Renewal Differences
Teachers who hold National Board Certification (NBCT) from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) benefit from a significantly extended Maine certificate renewal period.
NBPTS Certification and Maine Renewal
- Extended renewal period: 10 years instead of 5 years for the Maine Professional Teaching Certificate
- NBPTS renewal cycle: NBPTS certificates issued after 2017 require 5-year NBPTS renewal cycles. NBPTS renewal is handled through the NBPTS system (nbpts.org), not MEIS.
- Maine certificate renewal: The Maine certificate aligned with NBPTS certification is renewed every 10 years through MEIS, following the same process as standard renewal but with the extended timeline
- Professional development: NBPTS-certified teachers still need to complete professional development for Maine renewal — the 6-semester-hour or 90-contact-hour requirement still applies for the 10 years
- InTASC alignment: The Professional Renewal Plan aligned to InTASC standards is still required for NBPTS certificate holders renewing their Maine certificate
Sources: renewateachinglicense.com Maine (March 7, 2025) — ’10 years for NBPTS certificate holders’; NBPTS certificate renewal program (nbpts.org).
How to Apply for the Maine Accomplished Teaching Certificate
Maine recognizes National Board Certification with its Accomplished Teaching License — the state’s highest teaching credential. To obtain this certificate:
- Hold a valid Maine Professional Teaching Certificate
- Achieve National Board Certification through NBPTS (nbpts.org)
- Apply through MEIS using the applicable application for the Accomplished Teaching Certificate
- The Accomplished Teaching Certificate is then renewed by renewing your NBPTS certification through NBPTS’s system, coupled with the MEIS renewal for the Maine-level certificate
Salary Upgrade vs. Certificate Renewal: Understanding Both
Maine’s certificate renewal system and salary upgrade system are distinct processes that are sometimes confused. Completing coursework for renewal does not automatically result in a salary upgrade, and vice versa. Understanding the relationship prevents planning mistakes.
Certificate Renewal Requirements
- Purpose: Maintains your legal authorization to teach in Maine public schools
- Requirement: 6 semester hours or 90 contact hours of education-related PD over the 5-year certificate period
- Course level: Both graduate and undergraduate courses may qualify (education-relevant content required)
- Administered by: MDOE through MEIS
Salary Upgrade Requirements
- Purpose: Advances you to a higher salary lane on the district’s salary schedule (e.g., BA, BA+15, MA, MA+15, etc.)
- Requirement: Typically requires 15 or 30 additional credit hours at the graduate level beyond each degree level, earned within the certification field (per Waldenu.edu Maine guide: ‘Salary levels are generally in 15 or 30 credit hour increments (i.e. BA, BA+15, MA, etc.)’)
- Course level: Districts typically require graduate-level coursework for salary lane changes
- Administered by: Individual school districts, per their collective bargaining agreements and salary schedules
Source: Waldenu.edu Maine state requirements — ‘Educators may be eligible for salary increases for coursework and advanced degrees earned within their certification field. Salary levels are generally in 15 or 30 credit hour increments (ie. BA, BA+15, MA, etc.).’ Contact specific school districts for details.
Strategic Planning: Renewal + Salary Advancement Together
The most financially optimal approach is to complete coursework that simultaneously satisfies your renewal requirement AND advances you on the salary schedule. To do this:
- Choose graduate-level courses: Graduate credits typically satisfy both renewal (education-related coursework) and salary lane requirements (most district salary schedules require graduate-level credits for lane changes)
- Ensure courses are in your certification field: Coursework must be within the certification field for most salary lane changes
- Communicate with your district: Confirm with your district HR that planned courses will be accepted for both renewal and salary purposes before enrolling
- Track hours: Maintain separate records for renewal hours (in your digital professional development folder) and salary-qualifying credits (for submission to district HR)
Common Renewal Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
| Mistake | Why It Happens | How to Avoid It |
| Missing the expiration deadline | Busy schedule; relying solely on MEIS alert; not tracking expiration date independently | Set a personal calendar reminder 12 months before expiration; begin renewal process at 6-month mark |
| Letting the certificate lapse past 6 months | Not acting within 6-month grace period after expiration; assuming renewal is still available | Treat expiration date as final deadline; if certificate expires, act immediately within 6 months |
| Using non-education-relevant PD for renewal | Completing workshops or courses without verifying education-relevance | Confirm with MDOE or use the Request Course Approval form before completing any activity you plan to count for renewal |
| Forgetting the Professional Renewal Plan | Focusing only on hour/credit completion; not aware of InTASC plan requirement | Include the Professional Renewal Plan in your renewal preparation checklist; align PD activities to InTASC standards throughout the cycle |
| Assuming CHRC is automatically current | Not realizing the 5-year fingerprinting rule applies to non-continuously employed teachers | Track your CHRC date independently; assume fingerprinting is required unless you have been continuously employed by the same Maine district for 5 years |
| Using Firefox for MEIS | Habit from other systems | Use Chrome or Safari only for all MEIS access |
| Confusing renewal with salary upgrade | They both involve coursework but are separate systems with different rules | Treat renewal and salary lane advancement as parallel but distinct planning goals |
| Not working with your Support Chair early | Waiting until close to the deadline; not knowing who the Support Chair is | Identify your Support Chair at the start of the renewal cycle; ask about district-specific expectations at your first annual evaluation meeting |
Renewal for Substitute Teachers and Coaches
Substitute teachers and coaches in Maine public schools face a specific CHRC renewal rule that differs from regular classroom teachers. This is an important distinction that can catch these educators off guard.
The Substitute Teacher and Coach Rule
Per the MDOE Certification FAQ: ‘Coaches and Substitute Teachers must be fingerprinted every 5 years, regardless of continuous employment.’
This means the continuous employment exception that applies to regular classroom teachers does NOT apply to substitute teachers or coaches. Even if a substitute teacher has worked continuously in the same Maine school district for 5 years, they must still complete new fingerprinting every 5 years. This rule exists because substitute teachers and coaches have intermittent, rather than continuous, direct responsibility for students.
Standard Substitute Certificate Renewal
- Certificate type: Substitute teachers in Maine hold a Substitute Certificate (not a Professional Teaching Certificate)
- Fingerprinting: Every 5 years, regardless of continuous employment (no exception for subs or coaches)
- Process: New MEIS CHRC application ($15) + IdentoGO fingerprinting ($55) every 5 years
- Verification: Contact the MDOE Certification Office for current Substitute Certificate validity and renewal requirements, as these may differ from the Professional Certificate renewal cycle
Source: MDOE Certification FAQ (maine.gov/doe/cert/faq) — ‘Coaches and Substitute Teachers must be fingerprinted every 5 years, regardless of continuous employment.’
Maine Teaching Certificate Renewal: FAQs
How do I renew my Maine teaching certificate?
Log in to your MEIS account at maine.gov/doe/educators/licensing/meis (use Chrome or Safari — not Firefox). Complete your 6 semester hours or 90 contact hours of education-related professional development, prepare a Professional Renewal Plan using InTASC standards, confirm your CHRC status (new fingerprinting may be required), work with your district Support Chair if employed in a Maine public school, submit the renewal application through MEIS with supporting documentation, and pay the applicable fee. The process takes approximately 4-6 weeks for complete applications.
How many hours do I need to renew my Maine teaching certificate?
You need either 6 semester hours of education-related college coursework OR 90 contact hours of professional development (with 1 CEU = 10 contact hours). These activities must be education-relevant and must be completed during the 5-year certificate period. You may use a combination of semester hours and contact hours as long as the total is equivalent.
How often does a Maine teaching certificate expire?
A Maine Professional Teaching Certificate is valid for 5 years from the date of issuance or renewal. National Board Certified Teachers (NBPTS) have a 10-year renewal period. If your certificate expires, you have a 6-month grace period to complete renewal (currently 6 months; proposed to extend to 12 months in the pending Chapter 115 revision). After the grace period, you must apply for new credentials rather than a renewal.
What happens if my Maine teaching certificate lapses?
If your certificate lapses (expires more than 6 months ago under current rules), you cannot renew it through the standard renewal process. You must submit a new credential application through MEIS, which requires new fingerprinting and CHRC, current transcripts, program verification, and meeting current Chapter 115 endorsement requirements — which may differ from what was required when you were originally certified. Contact [email protected] for guidance specific to your situation. The exception is if you qualify for the retiree exception (see next question).
Can a retired teacher get their lapsed Maine certificate reissued?
Yes, under a specific statutory exception in Title 20-A §13013(6). A retired educator whose certificate has lapsed may have it reissued if: they are currently receiving a MainePERS retirement benefit; they were employed by a Maine public school for at least 10 years; they have been receiving the retirement benefit for no more than 5 years; and their certificate was active and in good standing at the time of retirement. The reissued certificate carries the same endorsements as the one held at retirement and is subject to the standard 5-year renewal cycle.
Do I need new fingerprinting to renew my Maine teaching certificate?
It depends on your employment history. If you have been continuously employed by the same Maine school district for the full 5-year certificate period, new fingerprinting may not be required. If you have not been continuously employed, new fingerprinting is required every 5 years. Substitute teachers and coaches must be fingerprinted every 5 years regardless of continuous employment. If your certificate has lapsed more than 6 months, new fingerprinting is always required. Use IdentoGO for fingerprinting ($55 fee) after submitting a CHRC application through MEIS ($15 fee).
What is the Professional Renewal Plan and do I really need it?
Yes, you need it. The Professional Renewal Plan is a document that connects your professional development activities to the InTASC Model Core Teaching Standards — a set of 10 standards for effective teaching organized around learner and learning, content, instructional practice, and professional responsibility. Maine requires this plan as part of the renewal process (teachercertificationdegrees.com Maine: ‘Maine educators must submit a Professional Renewal Plan using the InTASC Model Core Standards to guide their goals’). Work with your district Support Chair for district-specific guidance on the format and submission process for the Professional Renewal Plan.
Can I use online courses for Maine certificate renewal?
Yes. Online courses that are relevant to the education industry are accepted for Maine certificate renewal. Courses from regionally-accredited university partners (such as those offered through Model Teaching or similar providers) qualify when they pertain to education. The Professional Learning Board and other providers offer online contact hours for Maine renewal. Confirm education-relevance before completing any course you plan to use for renewal, and maintain documentation of all completed activities.
How does Maine certificate renewal interact with salary advancement?
They are separate but complementary processes. Certificate renewal (6 hours or 90 contact hours, Professional Renewal Plan, current CHRC) maintains your legal authorization to teach and is administered by the MDOE through MEIS. Salary advancement (typically 15 or 30 additional graduate credit hours beyond each degree level) moves you to a higher lane on your district’s salary schedule and is administered by your school district per the collective bargaining agreement. The most efficient approach is to complete graduate-level courses that satisfy both renewal requirements AND advance you on the salary schedule, so each credit hour does double duty.
Maine Teaching Certificate Renewal: Conclusion
Maine teaching certificate renewal is a well-defined, five-year cycle built on two core pillars: professional development (6 semester hours or 90 contact hours of education-relevant activities) and a current criminal history records check.
Add a Professional Renewal Plan aligned to InTASC standards, complete the renewal through MEIS, work with your district Support Chair if you teach in a Maine public school, and submit well before your expiration date — and renewal is a straightforward process.
The most important thing any Maine teacher can do is treat the certificate expiration date with the same seriousness as any other professional credential.
The 6-month grace period provides a safety net, but it is not a planning strategy. Set a personal reminder 12 months before your certificate expires, identify your professional development goals early in the renewal cycle, and use the dual-purpose approach — graduate coursework that satisfies both renewal and salary lane advancement — to maximize the value of every credit hour you invest.
The proposed Chapter 115 revisions from October 2025 — including the extension of the grace period from 6 to 12 months — are positive developments that reflect MDOE’s commitment to supporting educators in maintaining their credentials.
When adopted, these changes will further simplify an already manageable system. For the most current requirements, verify directly at maine.gov/doe/cert/renewals or by contacting [email protected].
Maine DOE | maine.gov/doe/cert | [email protected] | MEIS: maine.gov/doe/educators/licensing/meis | (207) 624-6606 | Data current as of June 2025