Licensing
Experienced Teachers
We strongly recommend you continue to renew your Indiana teaching license. Even if you are working outside Indiana, or are not currently teaching, you never know where your career will take you. While you may not plan to teach in Indiana, our state’s array of reciprocal agreements with other licensing jurisdictions provides additional flexibility. This will make you eligible for teaching opportunities should you leave the state.
License Renewal
The length of your initial licensing period depends on the framework under which you were originally licensed. Under the Rules 46-47 licensing framework, licenses are valid for five years. Those who hold professionalized licenses may renew for 10 years.
Under the more recent Rules 2002 framework, initial licenses are valid for two years, and renewal is dependent upon your participation in a mentorship program under the guidance of an experienced Indiana teacher. However, if extenuating circumstances prevent you from taking part in a mentorship program (you are teaching outside Indiana, or have not yet found a teaching position), you can request a two-year license extension from the state.
Teaching License Renewal Requirements
For most Indiana teacher licenses, there are two ways to qualify for renewal: college or university course work and/or a professional growth plan approved by a building level administrator, superintendent, supervisor, or director.
If you plan to apply for a renewal based on course work you have taken at Indiana University since your original licensing date, the state will contact us to verify your academic record after you apply.
If you plan to renew your license based on a professional growth plan, work with your supervisor to provide the necessary documentation when you apply for renewal.
How to Apply for a Teaching License Renewal
Apply for your license renewal online »
License Additions
Take on new educational challenges and advance your career with a license addition.
Teaching License Addition Requirements
There are two ways to add content areas to your Indiana teaching license. You can qualify by taking approved course work through an accredited regional institution. Or you can take the licensing exam if there is a test available for your chosen content area.
The School of Education offers license addition course work in the following areas:
- Computer Education (undergraduate and graduate students)
- English as a Second Language (ESL)/English as a New Language (ENL) (undergraduate students)
- English as a Second Language (ESL)/English as a New Language (ENL) (graduate students)
- Exceptional Needs – Mild Intervention (undergraduate and graduate students)
- Health Education (undergraduate and graduate students through the School of Public Health)
- High Ability Education (graduate students)
- Journalism for Secondary Students (undergraduate and graduate students)
- Mathematics – Middle Grades (undergraduate and graduate students)
- Physical Education (undergraduate and graduate students through the School of Public Health)
- Reading Level I for All Students (graduate students only)
- Reading Level I for All Students (undergraduate students only)
- Theatre Arts for Secondary Students (undergraduate and graduate students)
To find out what you need to do to pursue a license addition, talk to your academic advisor.
Apply for an Indiana License Addition
If your Indiana teaching license will soon be up for renewal, you can apply for your license addition at the same time as your renewal. That way, you will only have to pay a single application fee.
