How to Get Certified

Rhode Island offers multiple pathways to obtain educator certification. Explore the various pathways below. 

RI-Approved Program

Enroll in and complete an in-state educator preparation program. 

We offer 3 Early Childhood certificates. Please see the program options for each below. 

In addition to completing one of the programs below, please see the testing requirements associated with these certificates.

We offer 3 Elementary Grades certificates. Please see the program options for each below. 

In addition to completing one of the programs below, please see the testing requirements associated with these certificates.

We offer 11 Middle Grades certificates. Please see the program option for each below. 

In addition to completing one of the programs below, please see the testing requirements associated with these certificates. 

We offer 11 Secondary Grades certificates. Please see the program options for each below. 

In addition to completing one of the programs below, please see the testing requirements associated with these certificates.

We offer 18 All Grades certificates. Please see the program options for each below. 

In addition to completing one of the programs below, please see the testing requirements associated with these certificates.

We offer multiple Support Professional Certificates. Please see the program options for each below. 

In addition to completing one of the programs below, please see the testing requirements associated with these certificates.

We offer multiple Administrator certificates. Please see available programs below. 

In addition to completing one of the programs below, please see the testing requirements associated with these certificates.

Preliminary Certificates

Preliminary Certificates allow individuals to seek and source employment while pursuing the requirements for full RI certification. 

RIDE issues eight types of Expert Residency certificates.

Expert Residency: Awarded to educators who have demonstrated subject matter proficiency, and have met other coursework or experience requirements 

Alternative Certificate: Awarded to educators enrolled in RI-approved alternate route preparation programs who have been offered a position in a district to serve as an educator of record 

Career and Technical Education: Awarded to educators who have a high school diploma and have demonstrated appropriate work experience 

Temporary Initial: Awarded to educators who seek certification through reciprocity but have not yet met RI testing requirements 

School Nurse Teacher: Awarded to educators who have met the preliminary requirements for the certificate 

Fast-Track Principal: Awarded to educators who have meet the requirements for the certificate, including approval from their district 

International Teacher: Awarded to out-of-country educators who have met the requirements to temporarily teach in the United States

Emergency Certification: Awarded to educators who have some relevant coursework and have been hired by a school district who requests they be emergency certified 

Expert Residency certificates are awarded to educators who have a bachelor's degree with a major or equivalent in their content area and have passed the appropriate RI assessments. 

Expert Residency Requirements

Expert Residency Renewal Requirements

Expert Residency Application

Alternative Route Certificates are awarded to educators enrolled in RI-approved alternate route preparation programs who have been offered a position in a district to serve as an educator of record. 

Alternative Route Overview 

CTE certificates are awarded to educators who have a high school diploma and have demonstrated appropriate work experience. 

CTE Requirements

CTE Application and Work Verification Form

Temporary Initial certificates are awarded to educators who seek certification through reciprocity but have not yet met RI testing requirements. 

Temporary Initial Overview 

Temporary Initial Application 

The School Nurse Teacher (SNT) certificate is awarded to educators who have met the preliminary requirements. 

SNT Requirements

SNT Application

FAST-TRACK PRINCIPAL CERTIFICATES

We are excited to share two new pathways that open up opportunities for experienced teacher leaders (10 years or more) to become building level administrators. These are additional ways for educators to work towards full Building Level Administrator certification, allowing them to serve in the principal role within their district at the same time if necessary. An overview of the requirements and guidelines can be found on this page.

Fast Track Principal Expert Residency Preliminary Certificate Building-Level Administrator PK-12 Fast-Track Certificate
Requirements for Issuance Requirements for Issuance
Renewal/Progression Requirements Progression Requirements
Once an individual completes all renewal requirements, they are eligible to progress to a Building-Level Administrator PK-12 Fast-Track certificate, on which they will only need to complete a RIDE-approved leadership development program. *An individual may complete a RIDE-approved leadership development program on this certificate and progress to a full Professional Building-Level Administrator PK-12 certificate. Upon completion of the requirements listed above, the individual is eligible to progress to a full Professional Building-Level Administrator PK-12 certificate.
Valid for one (1) year with up to three (3) renewals

Allows individuals to serve as an administrator of record if they meet the minimum requirements below		 Valid for three (3) years

During the 3-year period, individuals can work as an administrator of record using this certificate
Minimum of ten (10) years of experience as a teacher or support professional Minimum of ten (10) years of experience as a teacher or support professional
Highly Effective or Effective ratings Highly Effective or Effective ratings
Holds master's degree or higher Holds master's degree or higher
Consistent record of leadership demonstrated by serving as a PL (professional learning) facilitator, dean, coach, department chair, or other leadership position in the school or local education agency (LEA) a. Consistent record of leadership demonstrated by serving as a PL (professional learning) facilitator, dean, coach, department chair, or other leadership position in the school or local education agency (LEA)
AND
b. Lead a district-wide or school-wide initiative
Superintendent recommendation Superintendent recommendation
Completed coursework in school finance, school law, and supervision of school personnel 
OR
Evidence of passing score (151) on the School Leader Licensure assessment (6990)		 Completed coursework in school finance, school law, and supervision of school personnel
AND
Evidence of passing score (151) on the School Leader Licensure assessment (6990)
Internship is not required for issuance of expert residency, but must be completed during renewal Completion of year-long (minimum 300 hours) internship at LEA where currently employed
In order to renew this certificate (up to 3 times), the individual must complete one or more of the following AND have superintendent recommendation
- Completion of year-long (minimum 300 hours) internship at LEA where currently employed
- Completion of the coursework OR assessment (listed above) that was not complete upon the initial issuance of the Expert Residency certificate		 During the 3-year issuance period, individuals who completed the above coursework at institutions outside of the State of Rhode Island must complete a RIDE-approved leadership development program; however, individuals who completed the above coursework at an in-state institution of higher education may complete a course in program evaluation in lieu of a RIDE-approved leadership development program.

Applications

The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) promotes the sponsorship of J-1 visas, enabling certified out-of-country PK-12 teachers to temporarily work in Rhode Island public schools. As an LEA, you have the opportunity to host certified international teachers of diverse national backgrounds within your district. International teachers can help fill shortage areas while increasing participation in cross-cultural activities in your schools and communities and enhancing Rhode Island students’ knowledge and value of foreign cultures and customs. Interested LEAs should contact the following RIDE-approved J-1 Visa sponsors.

J-1 Visa Teacher Sponsor Application

The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) promotes the sponsorship of J-1 visas, enabling certified out-of-country PK-12 teachers to temporarily work in Rhode Island public schools. Providers applying to be RIDE- approved J-1 teacher visa partners must complete this application.

As a designated sponsor, you will make available qualified foreign teachers of diverse national backgrounds, increase participation in cross-cultural activities in our schools and communities and enhance Rhode Island students’ knowledge of foreign cultures and customs.

Please allow 4-6 weeks for application review. Providers will receive a letter indicating their approval status.

Reciprocity

Reciprocity allows individuals who completed a state-approved out-of-state preparation program or who hold valid full out-of-state certificates to pursue RI certification where similar certificate areas exist. 

Preparation programs must lead to comparable RI certificates. 

Individuals pursuing this pathway should review the testing requirements. 

When submitting an application, include official student-issued transcripts and/or letter of verification of a completed approved program stating the content and grade range as well as an official test report if it hasn't already been sent to RIDE. 

This reciprocity pathway is available to individuals who hold a valid, current, full out-of-state certificate. The certificate must align to a specific RI certificate grade range and content area. Temporary or preliminary certificates are not accepted. 

Individuals pursuing this pathway should review the testing requirements. 

When submitting an application, include official student-issued transcripts and/or letter of verification of a completed approved program stating the content and grade range as well as an official test report if it hasn't already been sent to RIDE. 

Educators who hold valid RI-like certificates or who have completed state-approved programs from the sixteen (16) states listed below are exempt from taking the RI-required tests and are not held to experience requirements (if applicable). However, if RI requires a specific certificate (independent certificate) to be eligible for a second certificate (dependent certificate), this requirement remains the same. 

States with Inter-State Flexibility

Connecticut Maryland Pennsylvania 
Delaware Massachusetts  South Carolina
District of Columbia New Hampshire Vermont
Florida New Jersey Virginia
Georgia New York  
Maine North Carolina   

Effective January 2023, Congress added a new provision to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) that allows service members and their spouses to use their professional licenses (with the exception of law degrees) and certificates when they relocate due to military orders. 
   
To qualify for professional license portability under the SCRA, you must: 

  1. Have moved to a location outside the jurisdiction of the licensing authority that issued the covered license or certificate because of orders for military service. 
  2. Provide a copy of the military orders to the licensing authority in the new jurisdiction. 
  3. Have actively used the license or certificate during the two years immediately preceding the move. 
  4. Remain in good standing with: 
    a. the licensing authority that issued the covered license or certificate; and 
    b. every other licensing authority that issued a license or certificate valid for a similar scope of practice and in the discipline applied for in the new jurisdiction. 
  5. Submit to the authority of the licensing authority in the new jurisdiction for the purposes of standards of practice, discipline, and fulfillment of any continuing education requirements. 
    If these five criteria are met, the servicemember’s or spouse’s covered license or certificate shall be considered valid at a similar scope of practice and in the discipline applied for in the new jurisdiction for the duration of the military orders. 

The new law applies if: 

  1. Your license is not covered by any interstate compacts; or 
  2. Your license was issued by a state that is covered by an interstate compact but is not covered by the same compact in the state to which you are relocating. 

The new law does NOT apply if your license is covered by the same interstate compact for both the state that issued your license AND the state that to which you are relocating. In this situation, the interstate compact will control whether and how you can practice in the new location. 

Credential Review

A Credential Review allows individuals with content knowledge and experience a pathway into teaching without completing a full educator preparation program. Individuals can contact a consortium institution or the Rhode Island Department of Education, if applicable, for their individualized program of study.

 

This pathway:

  • May be pursued through either a Credential Review Consortium Institution (CRCI) or RIDE Credential Review 
  • Requires compliance with current RI certification requirements, including RI testing requirements 

Educators pursuing this pathway should follow the following steps:

  1. Reach out to the point of contact for the appropriate organization 
  2. Review results from the Credential Review 
  3. Decide and take action 

For information regarding which institutions perform credential reviews for each certificate area, please see this document.

Contact Information for Consortium Institutions: 

Institution Credential Review Contact Email Address
Johnson and Wales University Karen Swoboda
Director of Teacher Education		 karen.swoboda@jwu.edu
Rhode Island College Dr. Erin Papa
Director of RIC Credential Review Pathway		 crp@ric.edu
Rhode Island Department of Eduction Education Specialists 
Office of Educator Excellence and Certification Services		 eqac@ride.ri.gov
Roger Williams University Dr. Jeffrey Meriwether 
Dean of Humanities, Arts and Education		 jmeriwether@rwu.edu
Roger Williams University Gina Bianco
Dean of University College		 gbianco@rwu.edu
Roger Williams University Lynne Bedard
(CTE) 		 lbedard@rwu.edu 
Roger Williams University Jenny Tsankova 
(MG/Secondary Math)		 jtsankova@rwu.edu
Roger Williams University Li-Ling Yang
(MG/Secondary Science)		 lyang@rwu.edu
University of Rhode Island Delores Smith
Program Contact Credential Review Pathway		 crp@etal.uri.edu

​​​​​Foreign Credentials

Applicants seeking certification on the basis of foreign (non-U.S.) coursework and/or diplomas must provide the Office of Educator Quality and Certification with a detailed equivalency report or course-by-course evaluation of any college-level credit completed.

Independent evaluations must be made by one of the nationally recognized agencies approved by NACES® or by a RIDE-approved vendor.

NACES is an association of independent, nongovernmental organizations which provide credential evaluation services to individuals who have completed part or all their education outside the United States.

If you are a vendor and wish to apply to be a RIDE approved Foreign Credential agency, please complete the application and submit to eqac@ride.ri.gov

- Current RIDE-Approved Vendors - 

Foundation for International Services
5005 5th Ave. S. #101 Edmonds, WA 98020
(425) 248 2255
info@fis-web.com
www.fis-web.com

Institute of Foreign Credential Services, Inc.
12 Cedar Street Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
(914) 693-2840
(914) 231-7782 (fax)
www.ifcsevals.com

Academic Credentials Evaluation Institution, Inc.
9073 W State Hwy 29, STE 110-122 (PMB #122), Liberty Hill, TX 78642
acei@acei-global.org
https://acei-global.org/ 
Application Link 

Educators can progress from the Fast-Track Principal Expert Residency Preliminary Certificate to the Building-Level Administrator PK-12 Fast-Track Certificate by meeting the requirements for issuance.

Building-Level Administrator PK-12 Fast-Track Certificate
Requirements for Issuance
Minimum of ten (10) years of experience as a teacher or support professional
Highly Effective or Effective ratings
Holds master's degree or higher
a. Consistent record of leadership demonstrated by serving as a PL (professional learning) facilitator, dean, coach, department chair, or other leadership position in the school or local education agency (LEA)
AND
b. Lead a district-wide or school-wide initiative
Superintendent recommendation
Completed coursework in school finance, school law, and supervision of school personnel
AND
Evidence of passing score (151) on the School Leader Licensure assessment (6990)
Completion of year-long (minimum 300 hours) internship at LEA where currently employed
During the 3-year issuance period, individuals who completed the above coursework at institutions outside of the State of Rhode Island must complete a RIDE-approved leadership development program; however, individuals who completed the above coursework at an in-state institution of higher education may complete a course in program evaluation in lieu of a RIDE-approved leadership development program.
Progression Requirements
Upon completion of the requirements listed above, the individual is eligible to progress to a full Professional Building-Level Administrator PK-12 certificate.