APPLICATION CHECKLIST FOR MISSOURI TEACHER’S LICENSE
FOR NON-MISSOURI GRADUATES
 

• A NON-MISSOURI GRADUATE APPLICATION will need to be submitted. To submit the online application, you will need to create a username and password to establish an account in the Educator Certification System. The Educator Certification System Help Guide provides the information needed to complete this step.
• PROCESSING FEE OF $100 IS REQUIRED. The fee will be paid at the time the application is submitted online.  Fees may be paid by credit/debit card or by e-check. All processing fees are NON-REFUNDABLE.
• INSTITUTIONAL RECOMMENDATION (not required if you possess a valid out-of-state license) If you do not have a valid professional certificate in another state, you must complete the online application form and forward it to the certification officer at the institution where you completed your initial teacher education program. The certification officer must complete Section III and return it to our office. NOTE: This portion of the application is not required if you hold a valid professional teaching certificate in another state; a temporary, emergency, and/or substitute teaching certificate is not applicable. If you do not hold a valid out-of-state license, your application will be evaluated based on current Missouri requirements.
• TRANSCRIPTS Original transcripts (no photocopies) from ALL institutions attended must be provided. Please be sure your complete social security number or educator ID is listed. NOTE: We are unable to accept faxed, scanned, emailed or photocopies of transcripts.
• VALID TEACHING CERTIFICATE(S) If you hold a valid certificate(s) or license(s) in another state, you must include a photocopy of the certificate(s) with your packet.
• VERIFICATION OF APPROVED TEACHING EXPERIENCE Teaching experience must be contracted and at least half time employment. You have two options available to verify experience:
  • You will need to submit a completed Verification of teaching experience form showing the completion of experience; or
  • Your school district(s) will need to submit an official letter to the Department verifying your years of experience. The letter should include subject areas and grade levels taught, as well as dates of employment. Substitute teaching, student teaching, college-level teaching, or serving as a teacher's aide or assistant does not qualify as acceptable teaching experience. The letter must be signed by an official of the school system where you taught and be enclosed in the school’s official envelope. You may check Accrediting Agencies and Associations to determine the accreditation status of your previous district(s).

If you do not have approved teaching experience, you will not need to do the above step.

• BACKGROUND CHECK A criminal background check must be completed. This information will be sent to us directly by the Highway Patrol once you have printed with the fingerprint company.  It does not need to be mailed to us.

PLEASE BE SURE THAT YOUR APPLICATION PACKET IS COMPLETE! The items become the property of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and will not be returned or released to other agencies. Mail the complete application packet to: Educator Certification, Post Office Box 480, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480.

TO LOG INTO YOUR ONLINE EDUCATOR PROFILE

To access your certification account (online profile) you must first log into the DESE Application Sign-in with a username and password, and then choose the Educator Certification System link located on the User Applications page. Your certification account (online profile) provides access to each of the following:

• Apply for a certificate
• Print out a certificate
• View a certificate or pending application
• View assessment scores
• Check for the receipt of transcripts
• Check fingerprint/background status

Please Note:  If you have not logged in to your certification account (online profile) in over 5 years, then you will need to register for a new username and password in order to restore your access. You will need to follow steps 1 & 2 of the Educator Certification System Help Guide to complete this process.