• Home
  • Blog
  • Mississippi Emergency Teacher Certification Requirements

Mississippi Emergency Teacher Certification Requirements

Written By

Admin

Start Exam Prep Now
Mississippi Emergency Teacher Certification Requirements

Mississippi does not use the term ’emergency teacher certification’ as a single, unified category. Instead, the state’s approach to emergency and non-standard teaching credentials is organized into several distinct license types, each defined by specific statutory provisions in Mississippi Code § 37-3-2(6) and operationalized through the MDE Guidelines for Mississippi Educator Licensure K-12. 

Table of contents

These include: the one-year Emergency Certificate (EC), the Special Non-Renewable License (SNL), the one-year Out-of-Field license for veteran teachers, the Expert Citizen License, and district-level substitute teaching arrangements (which are not state-regulated).

Understanding the Mississippi emergency certification landscape requires understanding its purpose: approximately one-third of Mississippi’s 152 school districts are designated as ‘critical shortage areas’ — typically poor, rural districts that cannot attract and retain fully certified teachers (Sapling.com). 

Emergency and non-standard licenses exist to give these districts the legal authority to employ candidates who show promise but haven’t yet completed all standard certification requirements.

Per the MDE Guidelines (April 2021 version, referencing the regulatory framework still operative in 2024-25): ‘Note: This license is referred to as the one-year Emergency Certificate (EC)… can only be requested by an employing local school district or an eligible nonpublic school in the state of Mississippi.’ 

The district initiates all emergency certification requests — individual candidates cannot apply for emergency credentials on their own. This fundamental structure distinguishes Mississippi’s approach from many other states.

Mississippi Emergency & Non-Standard Teacher Licenses: Key Numbers

1 yr

Emergency Certificate (EC) Validity

One-year; district request only; non-renewable

 3 yrs

Special Non-Renewable (Max Duration)

Up to 3 one-year licenses; then must have standard

 5 yrs

Expert Citizen License

MS Code § 37-3-2(6)(c); HS diploma + 5 yrs exp.

 1/3

Districts in Critical Shortage Areas

Sapling.com; ~50 of Mississippi’s 152 districts

 

2,593

Unfilled Positions (2022-23)

teachercertificationdegrees.com MS (March 2026)

 1,520+

Underqualified Teachers (2017-18)

Teaching outside cert. field; MDE/NCES data

 District

Who Requests Emergency Licenses

Only local school district can initiate — not candidate

 §37-3-2

Governing Statute

MS Code sections (6)(c)(d)(e)(f) — emergency types

Sources: sapling.com/7972936/mississippi-emergency-teacher-certification — ‘close to one-third of 152 districts termed critical shortage areas’; teachercertificationdegrees.com MS (March 2026) — 2,593 unfilled positions; 1,520 underqualified (2017-18); MDE Guidelines Aug 2024 / April 2021 — ‘one-year Emergency Certificate (EC)’; ‘1 year; can only be requested by district’; MS Code § 37-3-2(6)(c) (Justia 2024) — Expert Citizen five-year license; high school diploma + 5 yrs experience. 

Mississippi’s Emergency Certification Essential Facts at a Glance

Mississippi Emergency Certification 
THERE IS NO SINGLE ‘EMERGENCY CERTIFICATE’: Mississippi has multiple types of emergency and non-standard licenses. The main categories are: (1) One-Year Emergency Certificate (EC); (2) Special Non-Renewable License (SNL); (3) One-Year Out-of-Field License; (4) Expert Citizen License; (5) District-managed substitute teaching (not state-regulated).
DISTRICT INITIATES ALL REQUESTS: Emergency licenses are ‘obtained by district request only.’ Individual candidates cannot apply for emergency credentials directly to MDE — the employing school district must initiate the request on the candidate’s behalf.
ONE-YEAR MAXIMUM (EC): The one-year Emergency Certificate is non-renewable and is issued for a maximum of one year.
THREE-YEAR MAXIMUM (SNL): The Special Non-Renewable License can be issued for up to three consecutive one-year periods under § 37-3-2(6)(a), (b), and (c).
EXPERT CITIZEN LICENSE: An alternative for professionals without a teaching degree — requires a high school diploma, industry-recognized certification, and 5 years of relevant experience. Does NOT require a bachelor’s degree.
SUBSTITUTE TEACHING: Not state-regulated by MDE. Each school district sets its own substitute requirements — contact your local district directly.
GOVERNING LAW: MS Code § 37-3-2(6)(c),(d),(e),(f) for the emergency license types.
Sources: MDE Guidelines (Aug 2024 and April 2021); MS Code § 37-3-2(6) (Justia 2024); sapling.com/7972936/mississippi-emergency-teacher-certification; alleducationschools.com MS (Feb 2026).

Governing Law: Mississippi Code § 37-3-2(6)

The statutory authority for all emergency and non-standard teacher licenses in Mississippi is Mississippi Code § 37-3-2(6). Per sapling.com: ‘Some specific laws and regulations apply to the certification, and these are found in the Mississippi Code of 1972, in Sections 37-3-2 (6) (c,d,e and f).’

The subsections of § 37-3-2(6) specifically address:

  • § 37-3-2(6)(a): Standard teacher preparation program completers — the general licensure framework.
  • § 37-3-2(6)(b): Non-traditional program completers — the alternate route framework.
  • § 37-3-2(6)(c): The Expert Citizen License — for business or other professional personnel to teach specialized or technical courses. Per Justia (2024): ‘To allow a school district to offer specialized or technical courses, the State Department of Education… may grant a five-year expert citizen-teacher license to local business or other professional personnel to teach in a public school or nonpublic school… Such person shall be required to have a high school diploma, an industry-recognized certification related to the subject area in which they are teaching and a minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience but shall not be required to hold an associate or bachelor’s degree.’
  • § 37-3-2(6)(d): Additional emergency license provisions.
  • § 37-3-2(6)(e): Additional emergency license provisions.
  • § 37-3-2(6)(f): Additional emergency license provisions.

The MDE Guidelines for Mississippi Educator Licensure K-12 (August 2024) translate these statutory provisions into operational requirements, defining the specific documentation, process, and conditions for each emergency license type. The August 2024 Guidelines represent the current operative document — always verify with MDE at 601-359-3483 before applying.

Sources: MS Code § 37-3-2(6) (Justia Law 2024; FindLaw 2024) — all subsections; sapling.com — ‘§ 37-3-2(6)(c,d,e,f)’; MDE Guidelines Aug 2024.

Mississippi’s Teacher Shortage Crisis: Why Emergency Licenses Exist

Emergency teacher licenses in Mississippi are not administrative technicalities — they are the operational response to a documented and persistent workforce crisis that affects a significant proportion of the state’s school districts.

  • 2,593 unfilled positions (2022-23): Per teachercertificationdegrees.com MS (March 1, 2026): ‘Mississippi had 2,593 unfilled positions during the 2022-2023 school year.’
  • 1,520+ underqualified teachers (2017-18): Per teachercertificationdegrees.com MS: ‘During the 2017-2018 school year, over 1,520 teachers in Mississippi were considered underqualified for their assignment, which includes teachers assigned to classrooms outside their certification field on a temporary or emergency basis.’
  • 50 critical shortage districts: Per sapling.com: ‘Close to one-third of the state’s 152 districts are termed critical shortage areas.’ This means approximately 50 Mississippi school districts face such severe teacher recruitment challenges that they routinely rely on emergency certification mechanisms.
  • Rural competitive disadvantage: Per sapling.com: ‘Certain Mississippi school districts are in poor, rural areas that have to compete with larger, wealthier ones that can pay more experienced teachers.’ The salary differential between affluent suburban districts and rural districts — sometimes $15,000-$20,000 or more per year — makes it structurally difficult for rural districts to attract and retain fully certified teachers.
  • National context: Per research.com MS (March 2026): ‘Emergency or Substitute Permits: Used to address immediate staffing shortages, these short-term permits allow schools to employ candidates who do not hold full certification, particularly in high-need areas.’
  • October 2025 relief: Per Mississippi Today (October 29, 2025): MDE implemented changes to Foundations of Reading requirements after a 2024-2025 educator survey identified barriers to elementary and SpEd licensure. These changes were designed to allow ‘more Elementary Education and Special Education candidates to become licensed’ and reduce the emergency license dependency in those fields.

Sources: teachercertificationdegrees.com MS (March 2026) — 2,593 unfilled; 1,520 underqualified; sapling.com — ‘1/3 of 152 districts critical shortage areas’; research.com MS (March 2026) — emergency permits for high-need areas; Mississippi Today (Oct 29, 2025) — MDE Foundations of Reading changes. 

What Mississippi’s Emergency Certificate Is — and Is Not

Before examining each specific emergency license type, it is essential to understand what Mississippi’s emergency certification framework is designed to do — and what it does not do.

Mississippi Emergency Certification — What It IS and IS NOT
EMERGENCY CERT IS: A temporary, non-renewable license issued at the district’s request for a candidate who has not yet met all standard certification requirements but shows potential to do so.
EMERGENCY CERT IS: A tool specifically for critical shortage situations — districts that genuinely cannot find a fully certified teacher for an open position.
EMERGENCY CERT IS: District-initiated — the local school district’s superintendent requests the license from MDE. Individual candidates cannot apply directly.
EMERGENCY CERT IS NOT: A permanent credential. Emergency certificates are explicitly non-renewable (one-year EC) or limited (SNL can be issued for up to 3 consecutive one-year periods).
EMERGENCY CERT IS NOT: A substitute teaching permit. Substitute teaching in Mississippi is not state-regulated — each district sets its own requirements. Emergency certification applies to full teaching positions, not substitute roles.
EMERGENCY CERT IS NOT: An automatic pathway to a standard license. Emergency certificate holders must actively pursue the standard license requirements during the emergency license period — an individualized certification plan is required.
EMERGENCY CERT IS NOT: Available in non-shortage contexts. Mississippi’s Code authorizes emergency licenses for districts facing genuine shortage situations; routine use of emergency certificates to avoid standard certification requirements is not the statutory intent.
Sources: MDE Guidelines Aug 2024; MS Code § 37-3-2(6); alleducationschools.com MS (Feb 2026); sapling.com.

Emergency Certificate Type 1: The One-Year Emergency Certificate (EC)

The one-year Emergency Certificate (EC) is what most people mean when they search for ‘Mississippi emergency teacher certification.’ It is the foundational emergency credential — a one-year, non-renewable license issued by the district on behalf of a candidate who has not yet met all standard certification requirements.

Per the MDE Guidelines (April 2021 version, framework still operative): ‘Note: This license is referred to as the one-year Emergency Certificate (EC)… The special, non-renewable license for traditional teacher preparation program candidates or completers is a one-year license that can only be requested by an employing local school district or an eligible nonpublic school in the state of Mississippi for up to three (3) years for a candidate who has not met all certification requirements under the Miss. Code Ann. § 37-3-2(6)(a), (b), and (c), at the time the application is submitted to the Division of Educator Licensure.’

Per the MS SOS Licensure Guidelines PDF (sos.ms.gov): ‘This license is referred to as the 1 year Emergency Certificate (EC)… The special, non-renewable educator license provides local school district officials with the ability to employ a candidate currently enrolled in an alternate route teacher education preparation program or a Traditional teacher education preparation program complete.’

  • Validity: One year; non-renewable. Cannot be extended beyond one year for the same candidate in the same position.
  • Who it covers: Traditional teacher preparation program candidates OR completers — meaning candidates who have begun or completed a traditional EPP but haven’t yet satisfied all MDE certification requirements at the time of application.
  • Maximum issuance: Up to three consecutive one-year licenses (totaling 3 years maximum) before the candidate must have a standard license.
  • District request only: ‘Obtained by district request only.’ (MDE Guidelines)

Sources: MDE Guidelines April 2021 (mdek12.org) — ‘one-year Emergency Certificate (EC)’; ‘non-renewable’; ‘up to three (3) years’; MS SOS Licensure Guidelines (sos.ms.gov/ACProposed/00022647b.pdf) — ‘referred to as the 1 year Emergency Certificate (EC).’

EC Requirements: What the District and Candidate Must Document

Per sapling.com (citing MDE emergency certification procedures): ‘To obtain some of these emergency teaching licenses, you’ll need to fill out a licensure application, a Verification of Contact with the Local District Teacher Center, an Individualized Certification Plan for the Local District and a Local District Application, along with your college transcripts.’

Emergency Certificate Application — Required Documents
1. LICENSURE APPLICATION: The standard MDE license application, submitted through ELMS (Educator Licensure Management System) at mdek12.org/licensure/ OR by mail to: Mississippi Department of Education, Office of Educator Licensure, P.O. Box 771, Jackson, MS 39205-0771.
2. VERIFICATION OF CONTACT WITH THE LOCAL DISTRICT TEACHER CENTER: Documentation confirming that the candidate has made contact with the district’s teacher center — establishing the connection between the candidate and the district’s professional development infrastructure.
3. INDIVIDUALIZED CERTIFICATION PLAN FOR THE LOCAL DISTRICT: A plan documenting the candidate’s roadmap to achieving full standard certification during the emergency license period. This plan must be developed in cooperation with the local district and demonstrate that the emergency license is a bridge to permanent certification, not a dead end.
4. LOCAL DISTRICT APPLICATION: The school district’s own application form, completed and submitted alongside the MDE application.
5. COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS: Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended; must show degree conferral and all relevant coursework.
6. ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS: May include Praxis score reports (if available), prior teaching experience documentation, or other credentials depending on the specific license type being sought.
7. SUBMISSION: ‘You can find applications and send your packets to the Mississippi Department of Education, which is in Jackson.’ (sapling.com) — applications submitted through ELMS online or mailed to MDE.
Sources: sapling.com/7972936/mississippi-emergency-teacher-certification — all document types; MDE (mdek12.org/licensure/); ELMS (sso.mde.ms.gov).

The Individualized Certification Plan: Key Component

The Individualized Certification Plan (ICP) is a critical and distinctive feature of Mississippi’s emergency certification framework. Unlike some states that issue emergency credentials without a clear pathway to permanent certification, Mississippi requires a concrete plan documenting how the candidate will achieve standard certification before the emergency license expires. This plan:

  • Is developed collaboratively between the candidate and the local district
  • Documents the specific Praxis tests to be taken and when
  • Identifies the alternate route program or traditional EPP the candidate will enroll in
  • Sets milestone targets for completing program requirements during the emergency license period
  • Serves as both a planning tool and an accountability mechanism — the district’s teacher center verifies progress

Sources: sapling.com — ‘Individualized Certification Plan for the Local District’; MDE Guidelines Aug 2024 — ICP requirement.

Emergency Certificate and Critical Shortage Areas

Mississippi’s emergency certification framework is particularly relevant to the approximately 50 districts designated as critical shortage areas. Per sapling.com: ‘Close to one-third of the state’s 152 districts are termed critical shortage areas, and emergency teaching licenses help them fill the positions.’

Critical shortage areas in Mississippi are typically characterized by:

  • Lower per-pupil spending due to limited local property tax base
  • Higher poverty rates among students (higher Title I school concentration)
  • Geographic remoteness making teacher recruitment difficult
  • Inability to compete on salary with urban and suburban districts
  • Higher teacher turnover driven by working conditions and lower compensation

For teachers who are willing to serve in critical shortage areas, there are meaningful financial incentives available beyond the emergency certification opportunity itself — including Teacher Loan Forgiveness ($17,500 for Special Education, Math, and Science teachers at Title I schools after 5 consecutive years) and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) after 120 qualifying monthly payments. 

These federal programs can represent substantial lifetime financial value — often exceeding $100,000 in tax-free loan forgiveness — and are specifically structured to reward teaching in exactly the kind of high-need districts that rely on emergency certification.

✔ Critical Shortage Area Opportunity: While critical shortage areas present challenges, they also offer the clearest path to emergency certification AND the greatest eligibility for federal loan forgiveness programs. A teacher who accepts an emergency certificate position in a Mississippi Title I critical shortage area while pursuing standard certification may simultaneously be building toward PSLF (10 years, full loan forgiveness) and Teacher Loan Forgiveness ($17,500 after 5 years).

Sources: sapling.com — ‘close to one-third of 152 districts; critical shortage areas’; studentaid.gov — TLF and PSLF. 

Emergency Certificate Type 2: Special Non-Renewable License (District Request)

The Special Non-Renewable License (SNL) is the broader category of district-requested emergency credentials that encompasses both traditional and non-traditional program candidates. It is the formal name used in the MDE Guidelines for what is colloquially called the ‘Emergency Certificate’ system.

Per the MDE Guidelines (August 2024 and April 2021 versions): ‘The special, non-renewable license for traditional teacher preparation program completers is a one-year license that can only be requested by an employing local school district or an eligible nonpublic school in the state of Mississippi for up to three (3) years for a candidate who has not met all certification requirements under the Miss. Code Ann. § 37-3-2(6)(a), (b), and (c), at the time the application is submitted to the Division of Educator Licensure.’

Per MS SOS Licensure Guidelines: ‘The special, non-renewable educator license provides local school district officials with the ability to employ a candidate currently enrolled in an alternate route teacher education preparation program or a Traditional teacher education preparation program complete.’

  • Traditional program completers: Candidates who have graduated from an accredited traditional teacher preparation program but have not yet passed all required Praxis tests or met other certification requirements.
  • Non-traditional program candidates: Candidates who are enrolled in or have been accepted to a Mississippi-approved alternate route program (TMI, MAT, ABCTE, iteach, TFA, etc.) but have not yet completed the program.
  • ‘Prospective non-traditional teacher preparation program completers’: Per MDE Guidelines: ‘This Special, Non-renewable License type can be requested for a prospective non-traditional teacher preparation program completer who meets one of the following conditions in addition to criteria outlined in the subsequent sections…’ — implying multiple eligibility sub-criteria, each defined in the Guidelines.

Sources: MDE Guidelines Aug 2024 — SNL definition; ‘traditional program completers’ and ‘non-traditional candidates’; MS SOS Licensure Guidelines (sos.ms.gov/ACProposed/00022647b.pdf).

SNL Eligibility: Traditional Program Completers

Traditional program completers who have not yet met all certification requirements may be eligible for a Special Non-Renewable License at the district’s request. These are candidates who:

  • Have graduated from an accredited teacher preparation program at a college or university
  • Have a degree in the appropriate field for the desired teaching endorsement
  • Have NOT yet passed all required Praxis tests (Core, PLT, and/or Subject Assessment)
  • Are employed by a Mississippi school district that is willing to initiate the SNL request
  • Have developed an Individualized Certification Plan documenting their path to standard certification

Per MDE Guidelines (April 2021): the one-year EC/SNL ‘is a one-year license that can only be requested by an employing local school district or an eligible nonpublic school in the state of Mississippi for up to three (3) years for a candidate who has not met all certification requirements under Miss. Code Ann. § 37-3-2(6)(a), (b), and (c).’

The ’37-3-2(6)(a)’ reference establishes that the standard requirements — degree, approved program, and testing — are the baseline being temporarily waived during the SNL period. The candidate is expected to complete these requirements within the 1-3 year emergency license period.

Sources: MDE Guidelines April 2021 — ‘§ 37-3-2(6)(a),(b),(c)’ reference; MS SOS Licensure Guidelines — ‘traditional teacher preparation program completer’ eligibility.

SNL Eligibility: Non-Traditional (Alternate Route) Candidates

The Special Non-Renewable License also applies to candidates in non-traditional (alternate route) preparation programs. Per MDE Guidelines: ‘The special, non-renewable license for prospective non-traditional teacher preparation program completers provides local school officials with the ability to employ a candidate who has the potential to obtain a standard Mississippi teaching license by the completion of a Mississippi State Board of Education approved alternate route… This provisional licensure option provides local school district officials with the ability to employ candidates who possess the potential to earn full educator certification while temporarily addressing the ongoing teacher shortage.’

This is particularly significant: a candidate who has been accepted into a TMI, MAT, ABCTE, or other MDE-approved alternate route program but has NOT yet completed the program (or even started it, in some cases) may be eligible for the SNL under district request.

  • Potential to earn certification: The key eligibility threshold is ‘the potential to obtain a standard Mississippi teaching license’ — not already having all requirements.
  • Concurrent program completion: The SNL allows districts to employ promising candidates while those candidates simultaneously complete their alternate route program and Praxis testing requirements.
  • ‘Addressing the ongoing teacher shortage’: This explicit language in the MDE Guidelines makes clear the policy intent — the SNL is a workforce tool for shortage situations, not a long-term substitute for proper certification.

Sources: MDE Guidelines Aug 2024 and April 2021 — ‘prospective non-traditional teacher preparation program completers’; ‘ability to employ candidates who possess the potential to earn full educator certification.’ 

The Three-Year Maximum for Special Non-Renewable Licenses

The most critical constraint on Mississippi’s emergency certification system is the three-year maximum duration. A candidate cannot hold a Special Non-Renewable License (emergency certificate equivalent) for more than three consecutive one-year periods. After three years, the candidate must hold a standard license or leave the teaching position.

Per MDE Guidelines: the SNL ‘can only be requested by an employing local school district or an eligible nonpublic school in the state of Mississippi for up to three (3) years.’

This three-year maximum creates a firm deadline for candidates to complete their standard certification requirements:

  • Year 1: Complete program training/coursework; pass Praxis Core and Subject Test; develop Individualized Certification Plan.
  • Year 2: Continue program completion; complete any outstanding testing; complete internship requirements.
  • Year 3: Complete all remaining certification requirements; apply for standard license before the third SNL year expires.

⚠ The Three-Year Clock Is Absolute: Mississippi does not provide extensions to the three-year maximum SNL period. A candidate who has not achieved standard certification after three years of emergency/provisional licenses must stop teaching in the position (unless the district can arrange a new, separate license basis). Do not treat the three-year maximum as a safety net — treat it as a firm deadline from Day 1 of the first emergency license.

Sources: MDE Guidelines — ‘up to three (3) years’; MS Code § 37-3-2(6) — three-year maximum framework.

Emergency Certificate Type 3: One-Year Out-of-Field License

Mississippi Code and the MDE Guidelines provide for a specific emergency credential type for teachers who already hold a valid standard five-year license in one field but are being asked to teach in a field outside their certification area. This is the ‘Out-of-Field’ or ‘Veteran Teacher Teaching Out-of-Field’ provision.

Per the MS SOS Licensure Guidelines (sos.ms.gov CTE PDF): ‘This license is for a teacher who has documented teaching experience. Evidence of progress in completing the necessary requirements for adding the designated endorsement to become Highly Qualified must be documented in order to renew this license. Obtained by district request only.’

  • Who it applies to: A teacher who already holds a standard five-year license in Subject A but is being assigned to teach Subject B (for which they are NOT certified) at the district’s request.
  • ‘Veteran teacher’ context: The MDE Guidelines reference ‘One Year Certification for Veteran Teachers Teaching Out-of-Field’ — reflecting the specific use case of experienced teachers being deployed across subject areas to fill gaps.
  • Documented teaching experience: Must show documented professional teaching experience under a standard license — this is not for entry-level teachers or alternate route candidates.
  • Evidence of progress required for renewal: Unlike the basic Emergency Certificate, the Out-of-Field license requires documented evidence of progress toward adding the out-of-field endorsement. If the teacher is not actively working toward the new endorsement, the license will not be renewed.
  • District request only: Same as all other emergency types — the district initiates the request.

Sources: MS SOS Licensure Guidelines (sos.ms.gov/ACCode/00000607c.pdf) — ‘teacher with documented teaching experience; evidence of progress required; obtained by district request’; MS SOS (sos.ms.gov/ACProposed/00022647b.pdf) — ‘One Year Certification for Veteran Teachers Teaching Out-of-Field.’

Emergency Certificate Type 4: Expert Citizen License (§ 37-3-2(6)(c))

The Expert Citizen License is Mississippi’s most distinctive and accessible emergency credential — a five-year license that allows professionals with industry expertise to teach specialized or technical courses without holding a bachelor’s degree. It is codified in Mississippi Code § 37-3-2(6)(c) and represents a genuinely different approach to teacher credentialing from the standard Class A-AAAA framework.

Per Mississippi Code § 37-3-2(6)(c) (Justia Law, 2024): ‘To allow a school district to offer specialized or technical courses, the State Department of Education, in accordance with rules and regulations established by the State Board of Education, may grant a five-year expert citizen-teacher license to local business or other professional personnel to teach in a public school or nonpublic school accredited or approved by the state. 

Such person shall be required to have a high school diploma, an industry-recognized certification related to the subject area in which they are teaching and a minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience but shall not be required to hold an associate or bachelor’s degree, provided that he or she possesses the minimum qualifications required for his or her profession, and may begin teaching upon his employment by the local school board and licensure by the Mississippi Department of Education.’

Source: MS Code § 37-3-2(6)(c) (Justia Law 2024; FindLaw 2024) — Expert Citizen License full statutory text. 

Expert Citizen License Requirements: No Bachelor’s Degree Required

The Expert Citizen License is unique among Mississippi teaching credentials because it explicitly waives the standard degree requirements. Per § 37-3-2(6)(c):

Expert Citizen License — Requirements Under § 37-3-2(6)(c)
DEGREE: High school diploma or equivalent. NO associate degree or bachelor’s degree required — this is the ONLY Mississippi teaching credential that permits teaching without a postsecondary degree.
INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION: An industry-recognized certification related to the subject area in which they are teaching. The specific certification must be recognized in the relevant industry — general educational certifications do not qualify.
EXPERIENCE: Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience. The experience must be ‘relevant’ to the subject area being taught — professional work experience in the field, not general experience.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: ‘Must possess the minimum qualifications required for his or her profession’ — a broader quality standard ensuring the Expert Citizen License holder meets the baseline professional competency for their field, even without a degree.
VALIDITY: Five years — notably, the Expert Citizen License is valid for FIVE YEARS, longer than the one-year Emergency Certificate or the three-year SNL maximum.
SUBJECT SCOPE: ‘Specialized or technical courses’ — the Expert Citizen License is intended for technical, vocational, or specialized content that industry professionals can uniquely deliver, not general K-12 academic subjects.
EMPLOYMENT TIMING: ‘May begin teaching upon his employment by the local school board and licensure by the Mississippi Department of Education’ — teaching can begin immediately upon school board employment and MDE licensure.
Sources: MS Code § 37-3-2(6)(c) (Justia Law 2024) — full statutory text; FindLaw 2024 — confirmation.

How the Expert Citizen License Differs from the CTE Alternate Route

It is important not to confuse the Expert Citizen License with the CTE Alternate Route (which requires an associate degree or higher). The Expert Citizen License:

  • Requires only a high school diploma (no degree requirement at all)
  • Is valid for 5 years (not a provisional/non-renewable emergency license)
  • Is specifically for ‘specialized or technical courses’ — a narrower scope than the full CTE framework
  • Is granted directly by MDE at the state board’s authority — not managed through an alternate route program
  • Requires ‘industry-recognized certification’ — a specific professional credential in the field

The CTE Alternate Route, by contrast, requires at minimum an associate degree plus occupational experience, leads to a 3-year or 5-year endorsement rather than a subject-specific license, and follows the full alternate route framework including an internship year. The Expert Citizen License is the faster, lower-barrier option — but is restricted to specialized or technical course delivery.

Sources: MS Code § 37-3-2(6)(c); MDE Guidelines Aug 2024 — CTE framework comparison.

Expert Citizen License Application and Process

Per the MDE Guidelines for Mississippi Educator Licensure K-12 (August 2024): the Expert Citizen License is granted by ‘the State Department of Education, in accordance with rules and regulations established by the State Board of Education.’ The process involves:

  • Local school board employment. The candidate must first be employed by the local school board. Per § 37-3-2(6)(c): ‘may begin teaching upon his employment by the local school board and licensure by the Mississippi Department of Education.’ School board action precedes and triggers the MDE licensure step.
  • MDE application. Once employed by the school board, the candidate applies for the Expert Citizen License through MDE. Per the MDE Guidelines: ‘any applicant for this license must be approved by the MDE Office of Career and Technical Education.’ The CTE Office reviews and approves Expert Citizen applications.
  • Document submission. Submit through ELMS (sso.mde.ms.gov) or by mail to MDE (P.O. Box 771, Jackson, MS 39205). Required documentation typically includes: proof of high school diploma or GED; industry-recognized certification documentation; verification of 5+ years relevant occupational experience; school board employment documentation.
  • MDE Office of CTE approval. ‘Future use of this license is exclusively limited to teachers of currently existing programs; further, any applicant for this license must be approved by the MDE Office of Career and Technical Education.’ (MS SOS CTE Guidelines PDF) — the CTE office provides final approval.
  • Five-year license issued. Upon approval, MDE issues the five-year Expert Citizen License. The holder may continue teaching the specialized or technical course for the five years.

Sources: MS Code § 37-3-2(6)(c) (Justia 2024) — employment timing; MS SOS CTE Guidelines (sos.ms.gov/ACCode/00000607c.pdf) — ‘approved by the MDE Office of Career and Technical Education’; ‘limited to teachers of currently existing programs’; MDE (mdek12.org).

Substitute Teaching in Mississippi: Not State-Regulated

A common misconception is that substitute teaching in Mississippi is managed through a state certification or permit system. The reality is distinctly different from most states.

Per alleducationschools.com MS (February 5, 2026): ‘Substitute teachers in Mississippi are not required to have a license or permit. While MDE does not regulate substitute teaching standards, school districts do. Each school district has its own requirements for substitute teachers. Some require substitutes to have an associate’s degree, while others may even require substitutes to have a bachelor’s degree. 

Contacting your local school district about substitute teaching opportunities is one way to become a substitute teacher in Mississippi. Another common option is through an employment agency that works with the school district. If you are hired as a substitute teacher for their agency, they will walk you through the requirements you must meet to work as a substitute teacher.’

This is a critical distinction: Mississippi does NOT require a state-issued substitute teaching permit or emergency certification for substitute teaching. The MDE has no regulatory role in substitute teacher standards.

Source: alleducationschools.com MS (Feb 5, 2026) — ‘not required to have a license or permit; MDE does not regulate substitute teaching standards; each school district has its own requirements.’ 

Substitute Teaching vs. Emergency Certification: The Key Distinction

Feature Substitute Teaching Emergency/Non-Standard Certification
State regulated? NO — district-managed YES — MDE licensed and regulated
Minimum credentials District-specific (may range from HS diploma to bachelor’s degree) Usually bachelor’s degree (except Expert Citizen License — HS diploma)
Who initiates? District or employment agency hires directly District superintendent requests from MDE
Can I serve as a teacher of record? No (substitute role; licensed teacher holds position) YES — emergency licensed teacher is the teacher of record
Length of assignment Day-to-day or short-term One full year (EC/SNL) or five years (Expert Citizen)
Leads to standard license? No — substitute experience generally does not lead to certification YES — required to pursue standard license during emergency period
MDE application required? NO YES — through ELMS or paper application to MDE
Relevant Code section N/A (district policy) MS Code § 37-3-2(6)(c)-(f)

Sources: alleducationschools.com MS (Feb 2026) — substitute teaching not state-regulated; MDE Guidelines Aug 2024 — emergency license process; MS Code § 37-3-2(6). 

The Mississippi Teacher Shortage: Critical Shortage Area Designation

Mississippi designates specific districts as critical shortage areas through a formal process that is documented in the MDE Guidelines for Mississippi Educator Licensure K-12 (August 2024) and the MDE Guidelines for Mississippi Educator Licensure (April 2021). The critical shortage designation determines which districts have access to certain emergency and non-standard license provisions.

Per the MDE Guidelines (August 2024 and April 2021): ‘Mississippi Teacher Residency program through a regionally/nationally accredited institution of… residency, to a geographical critical shortage area for those individuals receiving full tuition through any combination of federal and state funds, pending successful program completion, via district…’ — this reference to ‘geographical critical shortage area’ reflects the formal MDE designation system.

The federal Teacher Shortage Area (TSA) designation from the U.S. The Department of Education is a parallel but distinct framework — it identifies shortage subject areas rather than shortage geographic areas. 

Per teachercertificationdegrees.com MS (March 2026): Mississippi has designated shortage areas in Special Education, Mathematics, Science, and ESL, which qualify teachers in these areas for Teacher Loan Forgiveness of $17,500 (SpEd, Math, Science at Title I) or $5,000 (other shortage areas) after 5 consecutive years. These federal TSA designations apply statewide, not just in districts with critical shortage area status.

Sources: MDE Guidelines Aug 2024 — critical shortage area; teachercertificationdegrees.com MS (March 2026) — federal shortage areas; U.S. DOE TSA database (tsa.ed.gov).

Federal Context: National Teacher Shortage and Mississippi’s Position

Mississippi’s emergency certification framework exists within a broader national teacher shortage context that provides important perspective:

  • 86% of K-12 schools faced hiring challenges (2023-24): Per teachersoftomorrow.org (January 2025 analysis citing NCES data): ‘In October 2023, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reported that 86% of U.S. K-12 public schools faced challenges hiring teachers for the 2023-24 school year.’
  • 286,290 teachers not fully certified nationally: Per the Learning Policy Institute 2023 analysis: ’47 states plus the District of Columbia had an estimated 286,290 teachers who were not fully certified for their teaching assignments.’
  • 27,844 unfilled positions in 21 states: ‘A 2023 analysis by the Learning Policy Institute revealed that 21 states reported a total of 27,844 unfilled teaching positions.’ (teachersoftomorrow.org)
  • Mississippi’s position: With 2,593 unfilled positions in 2022-23 and approximately 50 critical shortage districts, Mississippi’s shortage is severe relative to the state’s size. Its 2017-18 data showing 1,520 teachers in out-of-field assignments (likely an undercount) reflects the scale of the problem.
  • October 2025 relief effort: Mississippi Today (October 29, 2025) reports that MDE implemented Foundations of Reading licensure changes in response to a 2024-2025 educator survey identifying barriers to licensure, aimed at allowing ‘more Elementary Education and Special Education candidates to become licensed’ and reducing emergency license dependency in those fields. Per MDE: ‘In an area where the critical teacher shortage is so prevalent, what seems like a simple change will have a drastically positive impact on the students we serve.’

Sources: teachersoftomorrow.org (Jan 2025) — NCES 86%; LPI 27,844 unfilled; 286,290 not fully certified; Mississippi Today (Oct 29, 2025) — 2024-25 educator survey; Foundations of Reading changes.

Application Process for Emergency and Non-Standard Licenses

All Mississippi teacher license applications — including emergency and non-standard licenses — are processed through MDE. The process is designed primarily around district initiation, not individual candidate application.

  • District identification. A Mississippi school district identifies a candidate for an open teaching position who does not yet meet all standard certification requirements.
  • Superintendent determination. The local superintendent determines that: (a) no fully certified teacher is available for the position; (b) the candidate has the potential to obtain standard certification; and (c) an emergency or non-standard license is appropriate under MDE guidelines.
  • Individualized Certification Plan development. The district and candidate collaboratively develop the ICP — documenting the specific path to standard certification. This plan is submitted with the license application.
  • Documentation collection. The candidate gathers: official college transcripts; Praxis score reports (if any); industry certifications (Expert Citizen); any alternate route program acceptance letters; high school diploma or degree documentation.
  • Application submission. Per sapling.com: ‘fill out a licensure application, a Verification of Contact with the Local District Teacher Center, an Individualized Certification Plan for the Local District and a Local District Application, along with your college transcripts… You can find applications and send your packets to the Mississippi Department of Education.’ Submit through ELMS (sso.mde.ms.gov) or mail to: MDE, Office of Educator Licensure, P.O. Box 771, Jackson, MS 39205-0771.
  • MDE review and issuance. MDE reviews the application and, if approved, issues the appropriate emergency or non-standard license. The candidate may begin teaching upon employment by the school board and MDE licensure.
  • Certification progress monitoring. During the emergency license period, the candidate must pursue standard certification per the ICP. Evidence of progress is required for the Out-of-Field license renewal; all emergency licenses have hard expiration dates.

Sources: sapling.com — application documents and submission process; MDE (mdek12.org); ELMS (sso.mde.ms.gov); P.O. Box 771 mailing address.

Required Documentation for Emergency Licenses

License Type Required Documentation
One-Year Emergency Certificate (EC) / Special Non-Renewable License Licensure application (MDE ELMS); Verification of Contact with Local District Teacher Center; Individualized Certification Plan; Local District Application; Official college transcripts; Praxis scores (if available); Any relevant program enrollment documentation
One-Year Out-of-Field (Veteran Teacher) All EC documents PLUS: documentation of current valid standard 5-yr license; documentation of current teaching experience; evidence of enrollment in or plan to pursue the out-of-field endorsement
Expert Citizen License (§ 37-3-2(6)(c)) High school diploma or GED certificate; Industry-recognized certification related to the subject area; Documentation of 5+ years relevant occupational experience; Local school board employment documentation; MDE Office of Career and Technical Education application

Sources: sapling.com — EC documents; MS Code § 37-3-2(6)(c) — Expert Citizen requirements; MS SOS CTE Guidelines (sos.ms.gov/ACCode/00000607c.pdf) — CTE office approval; MDE (mdek12.org). 

Role of the Local School District in Emergency Certification

The local school district’s role in Mississippi’s emergency certification system is foundational — not just supportive. Every emergency and non-standard license in Mississippi is initiated by the district, not the individual candidate. This structural reality has several practical implications:

  • The superintendent’s role is decisive: The local superintendent determines whether to request an emergency license and certifies to MDE that the circumstances warrant the non-standard credential. Without superintendent initiation, there is no emergency license.
  • District as accountability partner: By initiating the emergency license request, the district takes on responsibility for monitoring the candidate’s progress toward standard certification per the ICP. The Local District Teacher Center’s verification role (per the Verification of Contact requirement) formalizes this monitoring function.
  • Employment precedes license (Expert Citizen): For the Expert Citizen License specifically, the candidate ‘may begin teaching upon his employment by the local school board and licensure by the Mississippi Department of Education’ — meaning the school board’s employment decision comes first, and MDE licensure follows.
  • Practical implication for candidates: If you are seeking an emergency teaching credential in Mississippi, your first step is to secure employment with a Mississippi school district. Once a superintendent is willing to employ you AND request the emergency license from MDE, the credential process can proceed. You cannot initiate the emergency license application yourself through ELMS.

Sources: MDE Guidelines Aug 2024 — ‘obtained by district request only’; sapling.com — ‘local district application’; MS Code § 37-3-2(6)(c) — ’employment by local school board and licensure by MDE.’

From Emergency License to Standard License: The Required Pathway

Emergency certificates and special non-renewable licenses are explicitly designed to be temporary — bridges to standard certification, not permanent credentials. Mississippi’s framework requires active pursuit of standard certification during the emergency license period.

The pathway from emergency license to standard license:

  • Enroll in alternate route program: TMI, MAT, ABCTE, iteach, TFA, MAPQT, or other MDE-approved program. For secondary candidates: TMI is the fastest route. For elementary: MAT is required.
  • Pass Praxis tests: Praxis Core (or ACT/SAT/GPA substitute) + Praxis II Subject Assessment. These must be completed during the emergency license period.
  • Complete internship: The one-year internship required for standard license — often satisfied by the same teaching year that operates under the emergency license. This overlap is intentional: the emergency license enables teaching, and that same teaching year counts toward the alternate route internship.
  • Apply for standard license: Upon completing program requirements and internship, apply through ELMS for the Five-Year Standard Teaching License. This replaces the emergency credential permanently.

The most efficient approach: accept an emergency certificate teaching position → immediately enroll in TMI or appropriate alternate route program → pass Praxis tests during Year 1 → complete internship during Year 2 (or count Year 1 as the internship year) → receive standard license. In the best-case scenario, a candidate can go from emergency license to standard license in as few as 12-18 months.

Sources: TMI programs page (tmi.olemiss.edu); MDE (mdek12.org/licensure/alternate/); MDE Guidelines Aug 2024.

The Alternate Route as a Permanent Solution

For Mississippi school districts and candidates looking beyond the emergency license framework, the state’s alternate route certification system is the structured, long-term solution to the teacher shortage crisis. 

Rather than relying on emergency credentials year after year, districts and candidates can use the alternate route framework (TMI, MAT, ABCTE, etc.) to convert promising candidates into fully licensed, permanent teachers within 1-2 years.

The alternate route framework specifically serves the same population that emergency licenses serve — non-education-degree holders who want to teach — but provides a clear, structured pathway to the full five-year standard license rather than a series of renewable emergency credentials. Per research.com MS (March 2026): ‘Alternative Route Certifications: Designed for those with non-education bachelor’s degrees, these programs—such as the MAT, TMI, and TFA—provide expedited pathways into teaching, especially for career changers.’

The practical recommendation for critical shortage districts: rather than issuing repeated emergency certificates for the same positions year after year, partner with TMI, a local MAT program, or other approved alternate route providers to convert your emergency-licensed teachers into standard-licensed teachers within the three-year maximum period. This converts short-term staffing solutions into long-term workforce capacity.

Sources: research.com MS (March 2026) — alternate route as expedited pathway; MDE (mdek12.org/licensure/alternate/); TMI (tmi.olemiss.edu). 

October 2025 MDE Licensure Changes: Foundations of Reading Relief

A significant development in Mississippi’s emergency certification landscape occurred in October 2025, when MDE implemented changes to the Foundations of Reading requirements for elementary and special education teacher certification.

Per Mississippi Today (October 29, 2025): ‘The Mississippi Department of Education has announced changes to licensure requirements for prospective special education teachers and elementary school teachers. The changes were implemented partly in response to the results of a 2024-2025 educator survey, which identified a need for MDE to review its existing licensure guidelines for elementary education and special education.’

Per MDE Office of Educator Continuum Executive Director Courtney Van Cleve: ‘The Office of Teaching and Leading is hopeful the revised Foundations of Reading requirements will strengthen Mississippi’s educator workforce… It will allow for more Elementary Education and Special Education candidates to become licensed.’

Per Adrienne Hudson, who runs a nonprofit that helps teachers with certification: ‘In an area where the critical teacher shortage is so prevalent, what seems like a simple change will have a drastically positive impact on the students we serve.’ Hudson noted that the change would allow at least 10 teachers in her latest cohort to move to a traditional license.

The Foundations of Reading changes are directly relevant to the emergency certification landscape because elementary and special education were among the fields most reliant on emergency credentials — teachers who could not pass the Foundations of Reading assessment were pushed into emergency or non-standard license territory. By expanding pathways to meet the Foundations of Reading requirement (including the PPR alternative documented in other sources), MDE is reducing emergency certification dependency in these critical shortage fields.

Source: Mississippi Today (October 29, 2025) — all quotes and description of October 2025 MDE licensure changes; Courtney Van Cleve MDE quote; Adrienne Hudson nonprofit quote. 

Financial Incentives for Teaching in Shortage Areas

For candidates who accept emergency teaching positions in Mississippi’s critical shortage areas, significant federal financial incentives apply:

  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): All Mississippi public school teachers are employed by school districts (government employers), qualifying for PSLF. After 120 qualifying monthly payments under an income-driven repayment plan, any remaining federal loan balance is forgiven tax-free. Even teachers with emergency or non-standard licenses qualify — what matters is the employer type (government), not the license type. Enroll at studentaid.gov/pslf on Day 1 of employment.
  • Teacher Loan Forgiveness (TLF): Teachers in federal shortage areas (Special Education, Mathematics, Science at Title I schools) who complete 5 consecutive years qualify for up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness. Other shortage area teachers qualify for $5,000. Emergency license years count toward the 5-year requirement if the teacher transitions to a standard license during the period.
  • TEACH Grants: Up to $4,000 per year for education students committing to teach in shortage areas at high-need schools. Contact your alternate route program or university for TEACH Grant eligibility.
  • Mississippi state programs: Contact the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration or MDE for current state-level incentive programs for teachers in critical shortage areas — programs can change from year to year.

Sources: studentaid.gov/pslf; studentaid.gov — TLF; alleducationschools.com MS — TEACH Grant.

Mississippi Emergency Teacher Certification Requirements: FAQs

Does Mississippi have emergency teacher certification?

Yes, but not as a single unified credential. Mississippi has several types of emergency and non-standard teaching licenses: the one-year Emergency Certificate (EC), the Special Non-Renewable License (SNL, valid up to 3 years total), the one-year Out-of-Field License for veteran teachers, and the five-year Expert Citizen License under MS Code § 37-3-2(6)(c). All of these are district-initiated — the local school district’s superintendent must request the credential from MDE. Individual candidates cannot apply for emergency teaching credentials on their own.

What are the requirements for a Mississippi emergency teacher license?

Requirements vary by emergency license type. For the one-year Emergency Certificate/Special Non-Renewable License: the district must submit a licensure application, Verification of Contact with the Local District Teacher Center, an Individualized Certification Plan, a Local District Application, and the candidate’s official college transcripts. The candidate typically needs a bachelor’s degree (or be enrolled in an alternate route program). For the Expert Citizen License: a high school diploma, an industry-recognized certification in the subject area, and 5+ years of relevant experience — no bachelor’s degree required.

Can a school district request emergency certification even without a teacher shortage designation?

Emergency and non-standard licenses are intended for shortage situations, and the statutory framework references shortage contexts. Per sapling.com: ‘Close to one-third of the state’s 152 districts are termed critical shortage areas, and emergency teaching licenses help them fill the positions.’ While the statutory language (MS Code § 37-3-2(6)) does not exclusively limit emergency licenses to formally designated critical shortage areas, the policy intent is clear — these credentials are for genuine staffing crises, not routine use.

What is the Expert Citizen License and who qualifies?

The Expert Citizen License is authorized by Mississippi Code § 37-3-2(6)(c) and is a five-year license specifically for business or professional personnel who can teach specialized or technical courses. Requirements: high school diploma (no associate or bachelor’s degree required); industry-recognized certification related to the teaching subject; and at least 5 years of relevant experience. The candidate must be employed by the local school board first, and then MDE (through the Office of Career and Technical Education) issues the license. The Expert Citizen License is the only Mississippi teaching credential that does not require a postsecondary degree.

How long can a teacher work under an emergency license in Mississippi?

The one-year Emergency Certificate is valid for one year and cannot be renewed as a single credential. However, the Special Non-Renewable License can be issued for up to three consecutive one-year periods — giving a candidate a maximum of three years of emergency/provisional teaching before a standard license is required. Per MDE Guidelines: ‘up to three (3) years for a candidate who has not met all certification requirements.’ After three years, the candidate must hold a standard license or leave the teaching position.

Do I need emergency certification to substitute teach in Mississippi?

No. Per alleducationschools.com, MS: ‘Substitute teachers in Mississippi are not required to have a license or permit. While MDE does not regulate substitute teaching standards, school districts do.’ Mississippi is unusual in that it has no state-level substitute teacher permit or license requirement. Each school district sets its own requirements — some require an associate’s degree, others a bachelor’s degree, and some only a high school diploma. Contact your local school district directly to learn their specific substitute teacher requirements.

Official Sources and Further Reading

Primary MDE Sources

  • MDE Division of Educator Licensure: mdek12.org/licensure/ — all emergency and standard license types; ELMS application portal
  • MDE Guidelines for Mississippi Educator Licensure K-12 (August 2024): mdek12.org — ‘one-year Emergency Certificate (EC)’; Special Non-Renewable License; Expert Citizen License; 3-year maximum; district request only; ICP requirement
  • ELMS (Educator Licensure Management System): sso.mde.ms.gov/Login/Login.aspx — online application portal
  • MDE Alternate Route Programs: mdek12.org/licensure/alternate/ — the standard license pathway that resolves emergency certification need
  • MDE Educator Licensure Phone: 601-359-3483
  • MDE General Information: 601-359-3513
  • MDE Mailing Address: P.O. Box 771, Jackson, MS 39205-0771

Legal and Regulatory Sources

Reference Sources

Mississippi Emergency Teacher Certification Requirements: Conclusion

Mississippi’s emergency teacher certification system is not a single credential but a collection of distinct non-standard license types — the one-year Emergency Certificate, the Special Non-Renewable License (up to 3 years), the one-year Out-of-Field License, and the Expert Citizen License — each authorized under Mississippi Code § 37-3-2(6) and administered by the MDE Office of Educator Licensure. 

The Expert Citizen License is particularly distinctive: it is the only Mississippi teaching credential that does not require a bachelor’s degree, relying instead on a high school diploma, industry-recognized certification, and 5 years of relevant professional experience.

Every emergency license in Mississippi is district-initiated — the local school district’s superintendent must request the credential from MDE on the candidate’s behalf. Individual candidates cannot apply for emergency credentials independently. This structure ensures that emergency licensing is genuinely tied to specific shortage situations rather than being used as a routine bypass of standard certification requirements.

For candidates who receive emergency licenses, the path to permanence is clear: enroll in an MDE-approved alternate route program (TMI for secondary, MAT for elementary), pass required Praxis tests, complete the internship, and apply for the Five-Year Standard Teaching License — all within the three-year maximum period the emergency framework allows. 

The October 2025 MDE changes to Foundations of Reading requirements offer additional relief for elementary and special education candidates who previously faced barriers to standard certification. 

Mississippi’s critical shortage districts need teachers, and the emergency certification framework — combined with a clear alternate route pathway — creates a viable entry point for qualified professionals who bring content expertise to the state’s most underserved classrooms.

MDE  |  mdek12.org/licensure  |  601-359-3483  |  ELMS: sso.mde.ms.gov  |  MS Code § 37-3-2  |  sos.ms.gov  |  P.O. Box 771, Jackson, MS 39205