Licensure Renewals
Information for All Applicants
A criminal background check is a requirement of all applicants for Nevada Department of Education licensure pursuant to NRS 391.033. In all cases, you will also have to background for your employer. Please note that your employer and the NDE do not share your information and you will (in most cases) be required to do two separate background checks. Failure to background check for the NDE will result in denial of licensure and then you will need to reapply and repay the fees.
You must meet all requirements for academic preparation, student teaching, and competency testing for the specific area of licensure for which you are applying. In some cases, full-time contracted teaching experience may waive student teaching requirements, please see NAC 391.042 for more information.
Licensure Guide for Renewal Applications
You may renew your standard or professional license up to 9 months before the expiration date of your current license through the OPAL licensure system.
Non-Renewable/Provisional Educator Licenses
A Non-Renewable/provisional Educator License may be upgraded to a Standard or Professional License once all provisions on the license have been satisfied. Test scores showing satisfaction of all provisions must be submitted through OPAL
along with a completed renewal application. Original transcripts showing passage of required coursework must be submitted to our office at our mailing address or via e-Script to: transcripts@doe.nv.gov
Please
note that renewal credits or hours are NOT required for persons holding a “Non-Renewable/Provisional” license at the time that they are converting this license type to a Standard or Professional
License.
Renewal Requirements
Renewal requirements as of September 16, 2024, allow an educator to renew their license with 90 clock hours of continuing education, 6 semester credits, or a combination of clock hours or semester credits. These hours/credits can be earned
at any time during the licensure period.
Licenses issued prior to September 16, 2024, must earn 15 hours per year and can be earned any time during the licensure period.
For licenses issued before and after September
16, 2024, employer provided continuing education is allowed and can be earned during the contract day. A clock hour is defined as 60 minutes.
Special Renewal Circumstances for Retirees
Pursuant to NAC 391.073, a holder of a Retiree License, or a licensee submitting a letter from the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) verifying retired status or a letter from employer stating that you have retired with proof of 15 combined years of teaching through Nevada Public Schools, Private Schools, and/or Charter Schools with a completed Verification of Experience form, does not need to complete any continuing education credits for renewal.
Special Requirements for Special License/Endorsement Types
Licensees who hold an educator license in any of the following areas are subject to special renewal requirements as detailed below:
School Nurse: Must submit proof of current licensure by the State Board of Nursing.
School Mental Health Professional: Must submit proof of current licensure by an agency or board of the State of Nevada which regulates Mental Health Professionals.
School Social Worker: Must submit proof of current licensure by the Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers.
Renewing an Expired License
If your educator license has expired, you must reapply for licensure. Submit a completed licensure application though OPAL to the Office of Educator Licensure along with one completed and signed fingerprint card or have your prints taken
electronically at one of our approved Livescan vendors after submittal and payment of the licensure fee. This must be paid at the time of application through our OPAL system.
If your expired license is a Standard or Professional
License, you will need to submit proof of completion of 6 renewal credits or 90 professional Development hours as outlined above.
If your expired license is a Non-Renewable License/Provisional, you will need to submit test scores
and/or transcripts showing that any remaining provisions on that license have been satisfied through your OPAL account.
Information on Adding Additional Endorsements
If you are applying for an additional endorsement or area of licensure to your existing Nevada educator license, you will need to register for your online profile through OPAL add these endorsements on during the application process please make sure to include:
- Proof of completion of all academic requirements for licensure in the specified area(s), in the form of original transcripts issued by a regionally accredited college or university and bearing the college or university seal. Electronic transcripts are acceptable if sent directly to the Department of Education from the issuing institution or a recognized clearinghouse such as eScript. All electronic transcripts should be emailed to transcripts@doe.nv.gov.
- Competency testing score reports, if required.
- Verification of teaching experience or work experience (for Administrators and Business & Industry), if applicable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I know what testing is required for Nevada licensure?
A: Please visit the Competency Testing link for more information on this.
Q: Which licenses or endorsements should I apply for?
A: All licenses and endorsements are covered by clicking on the links from the main webpage under the standard license requirements, special
license requirements, or licensed personnel requirements.