Educator Certification
Processing Times
At this time, application processing times are 8-10 weeks. The certification office sincerely thanks you for your patience.
For technical issues with the My eCert portal, please submit a ticket.
How to Get Certified
Learn about ways to get certified in Rhode Island
Certification Areas & Requirements
Explore certificates Rhode Island offers
Renewal & Reinstatements
Find information about renewing a current certificate or reinstating an expired certificate
The Council on Elementary and Secondary Education approved the Certification Regulations on April 30, 2025. These regulations have been promulgated with an effective date of June 4, 2025, unless otherwise noted in the regulations.
The official rule can be found on the Secretary of State website.
This guidance aims to clarify the interaction of state law and regulations on educator certification and state law and regulations on charter schools and assist charter school leadership in determining staffing and certification requirements.
Background:
Rhode Island General Laws § 28-5.1-14 as amended by 2020 PL, ch. 071 enacted 7/22/2020 Fair Chance prohibits a state agency from disqualifying a license/registration/permit applicant from occupation, trade, vocation, profession and business licensing, solely or in part, based upon a criminal conviction absent a determination that the conviction substantially relates to the occupation for which the applicant applied. The Fair Chance disqualification prohibition is broad in that it applies to persons and any occupation, trade, vocation, profession, or business for which an occupational license, permit, certificate, or registration is required. See RIGL § 28-5.1-14(d). Fair Chance also requires annual reporting by state agencies with respect to every occupational license, permit, or certificate under their jurisdiction. See RIGL § 28-5.1-14(l)
Reporting Period: January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Verify the credentials of Rhode Island teachers, administrators, and support professionals here.
The Rhode Island Professional Teaching Standards (RIPTS) define what every teacher should know and be able to do. They present an ambitious, yet achievable, vision of quality teaching, serving as a resource for aligning educators, policymakers, preparation programs, professional organizations, and the public around shared expectations for teaching excellence in Rhode Island.