{"id":6925,"date":"2026-06-03T08:08:40","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T08:08:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prepsaret.com\/praxis\/?p=6925"},"modified":"2026-06-08T10:45:27","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T10:45:27","slug":"kansas-teaching-certificate-renewal-requirements-fees-deadlines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prepsaret.com\/praxis\/kansas-teaching-certificate-renewal-requirements-fees-deadlines","title":{"rendered":"Kansas Teaching Certificate Renewal: Requirements, Fees & Deadlines"},"content":{"rendered":"

Renew your Kansas Professional Teaching License every five years through KLAS. Graduate degree holders need 120 PDU points under an approved Individual Development Plan (IDP); bachelor’s-only holders need 160 PDU points, with at least 80 from college credit. One semester credit hour of college coursework equals 20 PDU points. Critical rule: all professional development activities must be included in your IDP before you complete them, or they may not count. Your IDP must be approved by your district’s local Professional Development Council (PDC) at the start of your renewal cycle.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Kansas Teacher License Renewal: Quick Reference Numbers<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
2 yrs<\/b><\/p>\n

Initial License Validity<\/b><\/p>\n

Non-renewable; upgrade to Professional<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

5 yrs<\/b><\/p>\n

Professional License Validity<\/b><\/p>\n

Renewable every 5 years<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

120 pts<\/b><\/p>\n

PD Points \u2014 Graduate Degree<\/b><\/p>\n

K.A.R. \u00a7 91-1-205<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

160 pts<\/b><\/p>\n

PD Points \u2014 Bachelor’s Only<\/b><\/p>\n

incl. 80 pts college credit<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
20 pts<\/b><\/p>\n

Per Semester Credit Hour<\/b><\/p>\n

K.A.R. \u00a7 91-1-215(i)<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

1 pt<\/b><\/p>\n

Per Clock Hour (In-Service)<\/b><\/p>\n

K.A.R. \u00a7 91-1-218(a)<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

$70<\/b><\/p>\n

Renewal Application Fee<\/b><\/p>\n

KSDE Form 3a<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

$57<\/b><\/p>\n

Fingerprint Fee (from 7\/1\/24)<\/b><\/p>\n

KSDE, effective July 1, 2024<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Sources: KSDE K.A.R. \u00a7 91-1-205 (renewal requirements); K.A.R. \u00a7 91-1-215(i) (professional development point definitions, Cornell LII); K.A.R. \u00a7 91-1-218(a) (awarding PD points, KSDE PD Regulations document); KSDE Form 3a Professional License Renewal; KSDE Fingerprint Information page (updated July 1, 2024).<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Why Renewal Matters and How Kansas Is Different<\/b><\/h2>\n

Renewing your Kansas teaching certificate is one of the most important administrative responsibilities of your professional career.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A lapsed license means you cannot legally teach in a Kansas public school \u2014 and unlike many professional licenses in other fields, teaching without a valid Kansas license can have consequences not only for you but for your school district’s accreditation status.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kansas’s license renewal system is notably different from most other states. Rather than submitting a simple tally of credit hours or workshop hours to a state board, Kansas teachers work through a locally administered Professional Development Council (PDC) under an Individual Development Plan (IDP).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This system gives individual teachers significant flexibility in how they earn renewal points, but it also introduces a unique procedural requirement \u2014 activities must be pre-approved in your IDP before you complete them to count toward renewal.<\/span><\/p>\n

This Prepsaret<\/a> guide provides a complete, authoritative reference for Kansas teacher certificate renewal, grounded in the Kansas Administrative Regulations (K.A.R.) and official KSDE documentation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether you are approaching your first renewal, dealing with a lapsed license, or strategically planning graduate coursework to advance both your renewal and your salary, this guide covers everything you need.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
The Single Most Important Fact About Kansas License Renewal<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Activities must be included in an approved Individual Development Plan (IDP) BEFORE you complete them.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Graduate coursework, workshops, and conferences completed outside an approved IDP may NOT count toward renewal.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
This is the most common reason Kansas teachers encounter problems at renewal time.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Always confirm with your district’s PDC coordinator that an activity is included in your IDP before enrolling.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Source: K.A.R. \u00a7 91-1-206(c); KSDE Professional Development Council guidelines.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Kansas License Types and Their Validity Periods<\/b><\/h2>\n

Kansas uses a tiered educator licensing system. Understanding which license you hold is essential before planning renewal, because different licenses have different validity periods, renewal mechanisms, and requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
License Type<\/b><\/td>\nValidity Period<\/b><\/td>\nRenewal Mechanism<\/b><\/td>\nNotes<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Initial Teaching License<\/span><\/td>\n2 years<\/span><\/td>\nNon-renewable \u2014 upgrade to Professional<\/span><\/td>\nMust complete mentoring + 1 year teaching to upgrade<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Professional Teaching License<\/span><\/td>\n5 years<\/span><\/td>\nRenewable with PD points or alternatives<\/span><\/td>\nPrimary subject of this guide<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Accomplished Teaching License<\/span><\/td>\n5 years (tied to NBPTS cert.)<\/span><\/td>\nRenew by renewing NBPTS certification<\/span><\/td>\nForm 11 (NBCT renewal); NBPTS certs post-2017: 5-yr renewal<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Standard Substitute License<\/span><\/td>\n5 years<\/span><\/td>\n50 PD points via local PDC<\/span><\/td>\nShorter renewal requirement than Professional License<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Emergency Substitute License<\/span><\/td>\n1 school year (June 30)<\/span><\/td>\nAnnual renewal; no PD points required<\/span><\/td>\nRenewed each year; no advanced degree required<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
School Specialist License (Initial)<\/span><\/td>\n2 years<\/span><\/td>\nNon-renewable \u2014 upgrade to Professional<\/span><\/td>\nSame structure as Initial Teaching License<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Professional School Specialist License<\/span><\/td>\n5 years<\/span><\/td>\nSame as Professional Teaching License<\/span><\/td>\n120 or 160 PD points depending on degree<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
School Leadership License (Initial)<\/span><\/td>\n2 years<\/span><\/td>\nNon-renewable \u2014 upgrade<\/span><\/td>\nLeadership mentoring and experience required<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Professional School Leadership License<\/span><\/td>\n5 years<\/span><\/td>\nSame as Professional Teaching License<\/span><\/td>\n120 or 160 PD points depending on degree<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Sources: KSDE License Information and Application page; teachercertification.com Kansas Guide 2026; KSDE Form 3a Professional License Renewal; KSDE Accomplished License Requirements page.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Professional License Renewal: Core Requirements<\/b><\/h2>\n

The Professional Teaching License is the primary teaching credential for experienced Kansas educators and the focus of this guide. It is valid for five years and renewable unlimited times. The renewal requirements are established in Kansas Administrative Regulation K.A.R. \u00a7 91-1-205.<\/span><\/p>\n

Summary of Renewal Requirements by Degree Level<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Credential Status<\/b><\/td>\nRequired PD Points<\/b><\/td>\nCollege Credit Requirement<\/b><\/td>\nAlternative Option<\/b><\/td>\nSpecial Condition<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Holds graduate degree (master’s or higher)<\/span><\/td>\n120 PDC points<\/span><\/td>\nNo minimum college credit required (but 6 credit hrs. = 120 pts.)<\/span><\/td>\nVerify 3 years of accredited experience (usable only twice in career)<\/span><\/td>\nMost flexible renewal pathway<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Does NOT hold graduate degree<\/span><\/td>\n160 PDC points<\/span><\/td>\nAt least 80 points MUST come from college credit (= 4 credit hrs. minimum)<\/span><\/td>\nNone \u2014 college credit requirement is mandatory<\/span><\/td>\nMinimum 4 semester credit hours required regardless of other PD<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Retired, holds graduate degree, KPERS participant<\/span><\/td>\n60 PDC points<\/span><\/td>\nNo minimum college credit required<\/span><\/td>\nN\/A<\/span><\/td>\nReduced requirement for retired KPERS educators<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Retired, no graduate degree, KPERS participant<\/span><\/td>\n80 PDC points<\/span><\/td>\nAt least 40 points must be college credit<\/span><\/td>\nN\/A<\/span><\/td>\nReduced but still requires college credit component<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Sources: K.A.R. \u00a7 91-1-205; The Teacher’s Academy Kansas page; Model Teaching Kansas PD page; Study.com Professional Development Kansas; Happy Teacher Kansas page; Waldenu.edu Kansas renewal requirements; KSDE Form 3a Professional License Renewal (KSDE Renewal of Professional License documents).<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Core Renewal Formula \u2014 Graduate Degree Holders<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
120 PDC points = 6 semester credit hours of college coursework (6 x 20 = 120 points)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u2014 OR \u2014 120 clock hours of approved non-credit professional development under an IDP<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u2014 OR \u2014 a combination of both that totals 120 points<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u2014 OR \u2014 verification of 3 years of accredited teaching experience during the license period (usable only TWICE in career)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
All points must be earned under an approved IDP filed with your district’s PDC.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Core Renewal Formula \u2014 Bachelor’s Degree Only Holders<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
160 PDC points total, OF WHICH at least 80 points MUST come from college credit<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Minimum college credit: 4 semester credit hours (4 x 20 = 80 points)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Remaining 80 points can come from any approved PDC activities<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
= 8 semester credit hours satisfies the ENTIRE 160-point requirement through college credit alone<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
All points must be earned under an approved IDP filed with your district’s PDC.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The PDC\/IDP System<\/b><\/p>\n

The Professional Development Council (PDC) and Individual Development Plan (IDP) system is what makes Kansas teacher license renewal unique. Unlike most states where you submit hours to a centralized state board, Kansas routes renewal through a district-level governance structure. Understanding this system thoroughly is essential to a successful renewal.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is a Professional Development Council (PDC)?<\/b><\/h3>\n

A Professional Development Council (PDC) is a representative body composed of licensed personnel from an educational agency. Per K.A.R. \u00a7 91-1-215(g), the PDC ‘advises the governing body of the educational agency in matters concerning the planning, development, implementation, and operation of the educational agency’s in-service education plan.’\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In practical terms, the PDC is the district-level committee that approves teacher IDPs, awards professional development points, and maintains PDC transcripts used for renewal.<\/span><\/p>\n