How to Apply for a License

Traditional Route Licensure Types – Pre-Service Teacher License and Standard Teacher License

Pre-Service Teacher License

• Online recommendation submitted by a Mississippi educator preparation provider (This must be submitted prior to submission of a licensure application by the prospective educator.)
• Online Licensure Application  (Please apply to the online recommendation in your Educator Management System account.)
• Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) form
• Program admittance documentation confirming successful completion of one of the following: Praxis CORE OR ACT/SAT equivalent OR 3.0 GPA in specific coursework provided by a Mississippi educator preparation provider

Standard (Initial) Teacher License

• Online recommendation submitted by a Mississippi educator preparation provider (This must be submitted prior to submission of a licensure application by the prospective educator.)
• Online Licensure Application  (Please apply to the online recommendation in your Educator Management System account.)
• Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) form (if not previously submitted)
• Program admittance documentation confirming successful completion of one of the following: Praxis CORE OR ACT/SAT equivalent OR 3.0 GPA in specific coursework provided by a Mississippi educator preparation provider
• Test Score Report from the appropriate testing company for Praxis Subject Assessment and Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) Assessment
• Official transcript of at least a bachelor’s degree in teacher education reflecting student teaching
• *For Child development (PreK-K) program completers only – you must submit the Child Development Program Verification form
• *Elementary Education and Mild/Moderate Disability (K-12) Candidates only – you must submit the test score report from the appropriate testing company for the Foundations of Reading Assessment

Non-traditional Route Licensure Types – Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Teach Mississippi Institute (TMI), Teach For America (TFA), Teacher Corp (TC), *American Board Certification for Teacher Excellence (ABCTE), **Five-Year Alternative Certification Option

• Online recommendation submitted by a Mississippi educator preparation provider upon completion of both initial and standard licensure program requirements (This must be submitted prior to submission of a licensure application by the prospective educator.) (Not required for *ABCTE and **Five-Year Alternative Certification Option)
• Online Licensure Application  (Please apply to the online recommendation in your Educator Management System account.)
• Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) form (if not previously submitted)
• Program admittance documentation confirming successful completion of one of the following: Praxis CORE OR ACT/SAT equivalent OR 3.0 GPA in specific coursework provided by a Mississippi educator preparation provider
• Test Score Report from the appropriate testing company for Praxis Subject Assessment
• Official transcript(s) of all completed and required coursework (to include MAT coursework, if applicable)
• To Convert a provisional TMI license to a standard license, you must submit a letter of recommendation made by your school district provided on the school district’s letterhead confirming completion of internship for continued licensure.  
• For Elementary Education and Mild/Moderate Disability (K-12) Candidates only – you must submit the test score report from the appropriate testing company for the Foundations of Reading Assessment

Additional documents for ABCTE program completer only

• (For initial license) ABCTE subject area completion certificate
• (For initial license) ABCTE subject area exam certificate
• (For standard license) Mentorship Induction Evaluation form
• (For standard license) Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) e-Learning certificate OR official MAT transcript reflecting completed six (6) hours of approved Mississippi alternate route program initial graduate university course

• Online Licensure application
• Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) form (if not previously submitted)
• Valid standard license issued by an educator licensing agency outside the state of Mississippi
• Official transcript(s) of all completed degrees and coursework

• Career and Technical Education (CTE) Licensure Application
• Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) form (if not previously submitted)
• Official transcript(s) of all completed and required degrees and coursework
• Technology Literacy certificate
• Occupational related assessment(s) and/or certificate(s) (If applicable)
• Vocational Instructor Preparation (VIP) certificate
• Certification of Online Learning (C.O.O.L.) certificate
• Methods certificate

Please review the Career and Technical Education Guidelines for the specific requirements assigned to each CTE endorsement.

Note: If the applicant meets all requirements listed for the requested endorsement, the applicant will be issued a five-year license. If the applicant does not meet all requirements, the applicant may be issued a three-year license, and all requirements above must be satisfied prior to the ending date of that license.

• Online Licensure Application
• Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) form (if not previously submitted)

And one of the following:

Added by Assessment

• Test Score Report from the appropriate testing company for Praxis Subject Assessment and (if applicable) the Foundations of Reading assessment

Added by 18 hours of coursework

• Official transcript(s) of all completed coursework

Added by Completion of an Approved Program of coursework

• Online recommendation submitted by a Mississippi educator preparation provider upon completion of endorsement program requirements (This must be submitted prior to submission of a licensure application by the prospective educator.)
• Official transcript(s) of all completed coursework

Added by Completion of MDE-approved Certificate Program

• Certificate of completion (SREB, Mississippi Council of Economics Education, Early Childhood Specialist Training)

Added by Completion of Project Lead the Way (PLTW)

• (For 926 PLTW – Biomedical Science)  Valid three-year alternate route internship license or five-year standard license in 181 Biology, 182 Physical Science, 185 Chemistry, 188 General Science, 189 Physics, 904 Science, or 908 Science  OR
• (For 927 PLTW – Middle School Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)) Valid three-year alternate route internship license or five-year standard license in 181 Biology, 182 Physical Science, 185 Chemistry, 188 General Science, 189 Physics, 904 Science, or 908 Science, 154 Mathematics, 155 Algebra I, 156 Geometry, 901 Mathematics, 905 Mathematics, or 985 Engineering OR
• (For 928 PLTW – High School STEM) Valid three-year alternate route internship license or five-year standard license in 181 Biology, 182 Physical Science, 185 Chemistry, 188 General Science, 189 Physics, 904 Science, or 908 Science, 154 Mathematics, 155 Algebra I, 156 Geometry, 901 Mathematics, 905 Mathematics, or 985 Engineering 

*Added by completion of Business Management requirements

• Valid five-year standard license in 105 Business Education, 111 Computer Applications, 318 Marketing, or 193 Economics
• Technology Literacy certificate
• C.O.O.L. certificate
• Methods Certificate

*Added by completion of Business Technology requirements

• Valid five-year standard license in 105 Business Education, 111 Computer Applications, 113 Computer Education, or 118 Instructional Technology
• Technology Literacy certificate
• C.O.O.L. certificate
• Methods Certificate

*Note: If the applicant meets all requirements listed above for Business Management and/or Business Technology endorsement(s), the applicant will be issued a five-year license. If the applicant does not meet all requirements, the applicant may be issued a three-year license, and all requirements above must be satisfied prior to the ending date of that license.

• Online Licensure Application
• Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) form (if not previously submitted)
• Official transcript(s) of advanced degree

• Online Licensure Application
• Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) form (if not previously submitted)

And the additional required documentation:

• Applicable Continuing education units (CEU’s) certificate(s) or appropriate number of contact hours, or clock hours in content or job/skill related area AND/OR
• Official transcript OR
• National Board letter OR
• Official documentation of retirement from service in Mississippi public schools (Official letter shall be obtained from the Public Employees’ Retirement System of Mississippi by calling 1-800- 444-7377). Documentation for use of this option shall only be submitted for renewal during the final year of the valid license. The official letter must bear a date that reflects the current year the documentation is submitted for licensure renewal.
• (For career-level administrators only) – School Executive Management Institute (SEMI) credits AND/OR official transcript

Please note: All renewal coursework, CEU credits, National Board Documentation, or SEMI credits must be dated within the current renewal cycle. For example, if the current validity dates are 7/1/2018 to 6/30/2023, coursework must be taken within those dates. Furthermore, if the current validity dates are in the future, renewal credits must be earned after the beginning validity date.

• Online Licensure Application (Submitting only an application will result in being issued a one-year reinstated license*)
• Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) form (if not previously submitted)

And the additional required documentation:

For One-Year to Four-Year Conversion Reinstatement or Five-Year Reinstatement

• Applicable Continuing education units (CEU’s) certificate(s) or appropriate number of contact hours, or clock hours in content or job/skill related area AND/OR
• Official transcript OR
• National Board letter OR
• Official documentation of retirement from service in Mississippi public schools (Official letter shall be obtained from the Public Employees’ Retirement System of Mississippi by calling 1-800- 444-7377). Documentation for use of this option shall only be submitted for renewal during the final year of the valid license. The official letter must bear a date that reflects the current year the documentation is submitted for licensure renewal.
• (For career-level administrators only) – School Executive Management Institute (SEMI) credits AND/OR official transcript

*A One Year Reinstatement cannot be issued consecutively.

Administrator Licensure Types – Traditional Route Administrator (Non-practicing, Entry, and Career Level Endorsements), Alternate Route Administrator License, Athletic Administrator, and District Superintendent

For the Traditional Route Non-Practicing Administrator Endorsement

• Online recommendation submitted by a Mississippi educator preparation provider upon completion of both initial and standard licensure program requirements (This must be submitted prior to submission of a licensure application by the prospective educator.)
• Online Licensure Application  (Please apply to the online recommendation in your Educator Management System account.)
• Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) form (if not previously submitted)
• Verification of Experience form
• Test Score Report from the appropriate testing company for the School Leaders Licensure Assessment Praxis Assessment
• Official transcript(s) of master’s degree or higher in Educational Leadership/Supervision

To Convert the Non-Practicing Administrator Endorsement to an Entry Level Administrator Endorsement

• Licensure application
• Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) form (if not previously submitted)
• Letter verifying administrator position and date of administrator position employment on District letterhead

To Convert the Entry Level Endorsement to a Career Level Administrator Endorsement

• Licensure application
• Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) form (if not previously submitted)
• Five (5) Orientation to School Leadership (OSL’s) credits. The list of providers and their contact information can be found here: SEMI and OSL Credits

For the Alternate Route Entry Level Administrator License

• Licensure application
• Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) form (if not previously submitted)
• Verification of Experience form
• Professional Learning documentation: Mississippi Department of Education approved professional growth opportunities may be offered by organizations such as, but is not limited to, the Mississippi School Board Association (MSBA), Mississippi Association of School Superintendents (MASS), Mississippi Association of School Administrators (MASA), Mississippi Association of School Business Officers (MASBO), or any other professional growth opportunities and providers approved by the Mississippi Department of Education
• Test Score Report from the appropriate testing company for Praxis School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA)
• Official transcript(s) of all completed and required degrees and coursework

To Convert the Alternate Route Entry Level License to a Career Level Administrator License

• Licensure application
• Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) form (if not previously submitted)
• Five (5) Orientation to School Leadership (OSL’s) credits. The list of providers and their contact information can be found here: SEMI and OSL Credits

For the Athletic Administrator License

• Online recommendation submitted by a Mississippi educator preparation provider upon completion of both initial and standard licensure program requirements (This must be submitted prior to submission of a licensure application by the prospective educator.)

• Online Licensure Application  (Please apply to the online recommendation in your Educator Management System account.)
• Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) form (if not previously submitted)
• Official transcript(s) of master’s degree or higher in Interscholastic Athletic Administration

District Superintendent License (Three-Year)

• Licensure application
• Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) form (if not previously submitted)
• Verification of Experience form
• Local board resolution of appointment as District Superintendent
• Official transcript(s) of all completed and required degrees and coursework

To Convert the District Superintendent License from a Three-Year to a Five-Year License

• Licensure application
• Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) form (if not previously submitted)
• Professional Learning documentation
• Mississippi Succeeds District Report Card(s) documentation
• Superintendent Evaluation Rating Sheet

*Mississippi Alternate Path to Quality Leadership Program Completers (For reference only)

To convert the Entry-level Administrator License to a Standard Career-level Administrator License

• Licensure application
• Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) form (if not previously submitted)
• Five (5) Orientation to School Leadership (OSL’s) credits. The list of providers and their contact information can be found here: SEMI and OSL Credits
• Official transcript reflecting six (6) hours of Educational Leadership coursework. Completion of six (6) hours of approved educational leadership coursework. Coursework should be selected from the following areas: Curriculum and Instruction, Instructional Improvement or Leadership, School Law or School Finance.

Audiologist

• *Online recommendation submitted by a Mississippi educator preparation provider upon completion of Audiology licensure program requirements (This must be submitted prior to submission of a licensure application by the prospective educator.)

• Online Licensure Application  (Please apply to the online recommendation in your Educator Management System account.)
• Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) form (if not previously submitted)
• Official transcript(s) of all degrees and coursework to include a master’s degree or higher in Audiology
• Test Score Report from the appropriate testing company for the Audiologist Praxis Assessment

*If you are adding Audiology as an endorsement, the online recommendation is not required.

School Counselor

• *Online recommendation submitted by a Mississippi educator preparation provider upon completion of School Counselor licensure program requirements (This must be submitted prior to submission of a licensure application by the prospective educator.)
• Online Licensure Application  (Please apply to the online recommendation in your Educator Management System account.)
• Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) form (if not previously submitted)
• Official transcript(s) of all degrees and coursework to include a master’s degree or higher in School Counseling reflecting a full-year internship
• Test Score Report from the appropriate testing company for the School Counselor Praxis Assessment 

*If you are adding School Counselor as an endorsement, the online recommendation is not required.

Librarian

• Online Licensure Application
• Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) form (if not previously submitted)
• Official transcript(s) of all degrees and coursework to include at least a bachelor’s degree or higher in Library/Media
• Test Score Report from the appropriate testing company for the Library/Media Praxis Assessment

Performing Arts License (Dance, Visual Arts, Music, and Drama)

• Online Licensure Application
• Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) form (if not previously submitted)
• Official transcript(s) of at least a bachelor’s degree or higher in the performing arts area of request
• Test Score Report from the appropriate testing company for the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) Assessment
• Test Score Report from the appropriate testing company for the Praxis CORE

If your degree is not in the desired area of performing arts, you must submit the following:

• Official transcript(s) of at least a bachelor’s degree

And one of the following:

• Certificate of completion from a recognized performing arts school, school of fine arts, or conservatory OR record of inclusion documentation in a regional and/or national competition with a listing of awards or placement in competition OR a letter on letterhead or certificate from the performing arts company verifying two (2) years of active membership in a performing arts company for the performing arts of request OR a letter on letterhead from the elementary school, secondary school, performing arts school, school of fine arts conservatory, or university/college verifying at least two years of full-time teaching experience in the performing arts of request

Psychometrist

• Online Licensure Application
• Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) form (if not previously submitted)
• Official transcript(s) of all degrees and coursework to include a master’s degree or higher in psychometry

If you do not hold a Mississippi educator license and you are obtaining the Psychometry license as an initial endorsement, the following is required:

• Online recommendation submitted by a Mississippi educator preparation provider upon completion of psychometry licensure program requirements (This must be submitted prior to submission of a licensure application by the prospective educator.) 

School Psychologist

• Online Licensure Application
• Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) form (if not previously submitted)
• All transcripts including an official transcript(s) of a specialist degree or higher in School Psychology
• Test Score Report from the appropriate testing company for the School Psychology Praxis Assessment

Speech Language Clinician

• Online Licensure Application
• Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) form (if not previously submitted)
• All transcripts including an official transcript(s) of a master’s degree or higher in Speech Pathology
• Test Score Report from the appropriate testing company for the Speech Pathologist Praxis Assessment OR Valid ASHA membership card   

Speech Associate

• Online Licensure Application
• Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) form (if not previously submitted)
• Official transcript(s) of a bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology, Communication Disorders, or Speech and Hearing Sciences
• Test Score Report from the appropriate testing company for the Praxis CORE, ACT or SAT equivalent exam 

School Business Administrator

Three-Year License

• Online Licensure Application
• Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) form (if not previously submitted)
• Official transcript(s) of at least a bachelor’s degree in Accounting OR a bachelor’s degree in another business-related field with a minimum of 15 hours of accounting coursework as specified in SBE Policy

Five-Year License

• Online Licensure Application
• Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) form (if not previously submitted)
• Official transcript(s) of at least a bachelor’s degree in Accounting OR a bachelor’s degree in another business-related field with a minimum of 15 hours of accounting coursework as specified in SBE Policy
• Certificate of training from the Office of School Financial Services

Districted-Requested Licensure Types – JROTC, Expert Citizen, Veteran Teacher, and Special Non-Renewable

• District request submitted by an employing local school district or non-public school accredited by Mississippi (This must be submitted prior to submission of a licensure application by the prospective educator.)
• Online Licensure Application (Please apply to the district request in your Educator Management System account.)
• Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) form (if not previously submitted)

      And the additional required documentation:

      For a JROTC request

• Letter of request on letterhead from District
• Current year military verification letter
• Official sealed transcript(s) of all completed degrees and/or coursework

      For an Expert Citizen request (Expert Citizen Guidelines)

• Verification of Experience form
• High school diploma, GED, or official sealed transcript(s) of all completed degrees   
• Verification of valid industry-recognized certification related to the subject area license is requested OR If candidate does not hold industry-recognized certification but does meet the required relevant experience criterion, the local school board shall document as part of their minutes, a detailed explanation for hiring an instructor that does not possess industry certification. The minutes shall be submitted as part of the completed licensure application packet.

      For a Veteran Teacher request

• Verification of Experience form verifying one-year teaching experience (Three-year alternate route internship license educators only) 

      For a Special Non-Renewable request

• Vita or Resume
• District Request submitted by the employing district or Mississippi accredited non-public school
• Official transcript(s)
• Test Score Report from the appropriate testing company for Praxis Subject Assessment (if applicable)
• Verification of Experience form (for Adjunct Teachers only)
• Professional license (for Adjunct Teachers only)

The re-issuance of the veteran teacher and special non-renewable license requires proof of progress toward obtaining full certification that is assigned to both licensure types. The proof of progress categories include: 1) Official test score report(s) documenting achievement of or attempt(s) to achieve the qualifying passing score(s), 2) Official letter of unconditional acceptance to a Mississippi State Board of Education approved non- traditional teacher preparation program from the appropriate State Board approved program provider, and/or 3) Official, sealed transcript showing required course(s) status as “in progress” or “completed” with an earned grade of “C” or higher.

The re-issuance of the Special Non-Renewable Adjunct Teacher License requires a successful rating as measured on the Mississippi Educator and Administrator Professional Growth System.

The re-issuance of the JROTC and Expert Citizen licenses involves re-submitting all required documents listed above for both categories, excluding any recently submitted official transcripts.

• Licensure Application
• Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) form (if not previously submitted)
• $5 online fee or money order (Personal checks are not accepted) mailed to the Mississippi Department of Education; Division of Educator Licensure; P.O. Box 771; Jackson, MS 39205.