Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

UPGRADING FROM THE INITIAL CERTIFICATE TO CAREER CERTIFICATE

The classification, Initial Professional Certificate (IPC) or Initial Career Education Certificate (ICEC), is valid for four (4) years from the date of issuance. Any additional areas(s) of certification issued during the valid dates of this classification will fall under the same classification regardless of the certificate effective date. Therefore, all areas of certification under the IPC classification will have the same expiration date.

During the four (4) years that you hold this classification, you need to complete the following requirements before you can upgrade to a Career Continuous Professional Certificate (CCPC) or Continuous Career Education Certificate (CCEC), both valid for 99 years:

1. Complete four (4) years of Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) approved teaching experience.

Approved teaching experience includes at least half-time, contracted employment in Missouri’s public schools or in accredited nonpublic schools. Experience will be accepted when earned in nonpublic schools accredited by North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, National Federation of Nonpublic School State Accrediting Association, Independent Schools Association of the Central States, National Lutheran School Accreditation, Committee on Accredited Schools at University of Missouri-Columbia, or Missouri Center for Voluntary Accreditation of Early Childhood Education at Stephens College, Columbia, Missouri.

Substitute teaching and serving as a teacher’s aide or assistant cannot be counted toward teaching experience.

2. Participate in a district-provided mentoring program for two (2) years. Your school will assign an appropriate teacher to be your mentor;

3. Successfully complete thirty (30) contact hours of professional development.  This may include college credits (1 semester hour equals 15 contact hours of professional development);

4. Participate in a beginning teacher assistance program offered by a Missouri college or university, Regional Professional Development Center (RPDC), or professional teacher organization such as MNEA or MSTA; and

5. Successfully participate in your employing school's annual Performance Based Teacher Evaluation process.