Renewals and Reinstatements

To renew your preliminary certificate (expert residency, school nurse teacher, career and technical), you must meet the requirements listed on your status form and submit a paper application to RIDE. Preliminary certificates cannot be renewed online. 

To renew your initial, professional, or advanced certificate, please utilize the portal or submit a paper application to RIDE. 

Professional learning is now required for the renewal of certificates. Professional learning will be measured using the Professional Learning Unit (PLU). Educators must provide evidence of PLUs to their districts as the district acknowledges meeting the PLU requirements for certification to RIDE.  

The amount of PLUs required will be phased in between 2020 and 2025. See the certificate types below for more information regarding the amount of PLUs necessary for renewal. 

Teachers seeking to transition from initial (3-year) to professional certificates (5-year) will be required to complete the equivalent of 30 PLUs annually. The following chart shows the pro-rated PLU amounts necessary between 2024-2025. 

Year of Certificate Expiration/Renewal Formula to Pro-Rate Units Total Units to Be Completed for Renewal
2024 3x25 75
2025 3x30 90

 

 

Teachers renewing professional or advanced certificates will be required to complete the equivalent of 20 PLUs annually. The following chart shows the pro-rated PLU amounts necessary between 2024-2029. 

Year of Certificate Expiration/Renewal Formula to Pro-Rate Units Total Units to Be Completed for Renewal
2024 5x15 75
2025 5x15 75
2026 4x15 and 1x20 80
2027 3x15 and 2x20 85
2028 2x15 and 3x20 90
2029 1x15 and 4x20 95
2030 5x20 100

Educators who achieve an aspirational benchmark in addition to the 100 PLUs can progress to an Advanced (7-year) certificate. Evidence of aspirational benchmarks must be submitted to RIDE on when renewing online on My eCert. Aspirational benchmarks include:

  1. National Board Certification
  2. Conferral of an advanced degree
  3. RIDE or national recognition (Milken Award, State Teacher of the Year, or Presidential Award for Math and Science)
  4. Completion of NISL Executive Development Program or served as a NISL facilitator
  5. Achieves RIDE certification in limited number of shortage areas identified by RIDE

A One-Year Special Provisional Certificate may be issued to educators who hold Initial, Professional or Advanced Educator Certificates and did not obtain approval or did not complete professional learning unit requirements. Educators holding the Special Provisional certificate must complete the missing PLUs during this certificate's one-year cycle and submit evidence to the school/district to complete the electronic sign off process.

Certificates can be reinstated for two reasons: 

1. Reinstatement for certificate expiration

2. Reinstatement for performance-related non-renewed certifications

An educator who has met all requirements for certificate renewal, but did not renew the certificate(s) prior to its expiration date is eligible to reinstate the certificate(s) for up to one year without completing any additional requirements. A reinstatement fee will be applied to the application. 

If one year up to ten years has lapsed since the expiration of the certificate(s), the educator must take and pass current Rhode Island certificate assessments, if not previously passed, to ensure currency in the field. A reinstatement fee will be applied to the application. 

If more than ten years has elapsed since the expiration of the certificate(s), the educator must reapply for and meet requirements for an initial certificate, including meeting all competency and assessment requirements as part of an approved program or credential review. 

Individuals seeking to reinstate certifications due to active duty while in the United States Military shall renew their certifications as outlined in R.I. Gen. Laws § 30-20-1.