{"id":7035,"date":"2026-06-06T08:20:39","date_gmt":"2026-06-06T08:20:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prepsaret.com\/praxis\/?p=7035"},"modified":"2026-06-17T21:10:53","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T21:10:53","slug":"mississippi-teaching-certificate-renewal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prepsaret.com\/praxis\/mississippi-teaching-certificate-renewal","title":{"rendered":"Mississippi Teaching Certificate Renewal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mississippi’s teaching certificate renewal system is governed by the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) Office of Educator Licensure, and its requirements are drawn from the Guidelines for Mississippi Educator Licensure K-12.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The framework is designed to be flexible: Mississippi offers five distinct renewal options \u2014 ranging from college coursework to CEU professional development to National Board Certification to retirement documentation \u2014 so teachers can renew in the way that best fits their professional development activities and career stage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Per teachercertificationdegrees.com MS (March 2026): ‘Mississippi teachers must renew their Standard Teaching License every five years, and licenses expire on June 30 of each year. To renew, you must complete 10 continuing education units (CEUs) or the equivalent. One CEU credit is equal to 10 contact or clock hours of professional learning.’<\/span><\/p>\n

The core renewal structure for Class A (bachelor’s degree level) license holders offers a choice between several combinations of semester hours, CEUs, and SEMI credits. Class AA, AAA, and AAAA (master’s, specialist, and doctoral levels) have a simplified renewal requirement of either 3 semester hours OR 5 CEUs. All renewal activities must be in a content or job\/skill related area \u2014 a category that includes both direct subject matter and professional pedagogy skills.<\/span><\/p>\n

All renewal applications are submitted through the ELMS (Educator Licensure Management System) at mdek12.org. Per the Mississippi Secretary of State Licensure Guidelines PDF: ‘Through the Educator Licensure Management System (ELMS), educators currently employed by a Mississippi public school district can renew electronically online. CEUs, coursework or National Board used for renewal can be verified by the district administrator.’<\/span><\/p>\n

Mississippi Teaching Certificate Renewal: Key Numbers at a Glance<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
5 yrs<\/b><\/p>\n

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

All standard classes; expire June 30 each year<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

10<\/b><\/p>\n

CEUs Required (Class A)<\/b><\/p>\n

teachercertificationdegrees.com: ’10 CEUs or equivalent’<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

10 hrs<\/b><\/p>\n

Contact Hours per 1 CEU<\/b><\/p>\n

‘Ten contact hours of PD = one CEU credit’<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

6 hrs<\/b><\/p>\n

Semester Hours (One Option)<\/b><\/p>\n

6 semester hours in content\/job-skill area (Class A)<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
ELMS<\/b><\/p>\n

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

District admin verifies CEUs\/coursework\/NB in ELMS<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

Grade C<\/b><\/p>\n

Min. Coursework Grade<\/b><\/p>\n

C or higher on all renewal coursework<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

June 30<\/b><\/p>\n

Annual License Expiration<\/b><\/p>\n

All MS licenses expire June 30 of the 5th year<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

PERS<\/b><\/p>\n

Retirement Option (Final Year)<\/b><\/p>\n

1-800-444-7377; submitted in final year only<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Sources: teachercertificationdegrees.com MS (March 2026) \u2014 ’10 CEUs or the equivalent; one CEU = 10 contact hours; licenses expire June 30′; MDE Licensure Renewal page (mdek12.org) \u2014 Option 2 (3 hrs + 5 CEUs), Option 3 (6 hrs), Option 4 (National Board), Option 5 (retirement PERS 1-800-444-7377); MS SOS Licensure Guidelines PDF \u2014 ELMS renewal; district admin verifies; Grade C requirement; teaching-certification.com MS renewal.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Mississippi’s Teaching License Renewal Framework<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Mississippi Teaching License Renewal \u2014 Quick Reference<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
WHO MUST RENEW: All holders of five-year standard Mississippi teaching licenses (Class A, AA, AAA, AAAA).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
HOW OFTEN: Every 5 years. Licenses expire on June 30 of the year indicated on the license.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
HOW TO APPLY: Through ELMS (Educator Licensure Management System) \u2014 log in at mdek12.org\/licensure\/.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
CLASS A RENEWAL OPTIONS: (1) 3 semester hours + 5 CEUs; OR (2) 6 semester hours; OR (3) 3 semester hours + 35 SEMI credits; OR (4) National Board Certification process; OR (5) Retirement documentation (final year only).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
CLASS AA, AAA, AAAA RENEWAL OPTIONS: (1) 3 semester hours in content\/job-skill area; OR (2) 5 CEUs in content\/job-skill area; OR (3) National Board; OR (4) Retirement documentation (final year only).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
CONTENT REQUIREMENT: All coursework and CEUs must be in a ‘content or job\/skill related area’ \u2014 which includes pedagogy, subject matter, and professional teaching skills.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
GRADE REQUIREMENT: All college coursework used for renewal must be completed with a grade of C or higher.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
TIMING: Only credits earned during the current 5-year license cycle count toward renewal.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
TRANSCRIPT SUBMISSION: Official sealed transcripts must be submitted electronically directly from the college or university to MDE.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sources: MDE (mdek12.org\/licensure\/licensure-renewal-reinstatement-options\/); MDE Guidelines Aug 2024; teaching-certification.com MS renewal; teachercertificationdegrees.com MS (March 2026).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Who Governs Renewal: MDE and the Guidelines for Educator Licensure K-12<\/b><\/h2>\n

Mississippi teaching certificate renewal is governed by:<\/span><\/p>\n