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| Frequently Asked Questions of TSPC |
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The following is a list of the questions that
we are commonly asked. If you do not find your question in our list, or if there are more
details that we can provide for you, please feel free to contact us (see Contact Us). |
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| | | Questions and Answers | | | • Question: What do I need to do to renew my license? (return) (top) |
| | | | Answer: When you received your license, you also received an advice letter on how to renew your license. If you cannot find your copy of this letter, go to License Inquiry on our home website and follow the instructions. Be sure to use your date of birth and last four digits of your social security number when doing the search so you can view the correspondence TSPC has sent you. Click on the link to the License Approval letter associated with the license you wish to renew to view the advice letter that was sent to you.
Hint: If you cannot find yourself or your records; type in your last name and check to see whether your online records include a formal first name and a middle name. You must fill in your name in the manner in which we have you filed in order to access your letters.
If the license was issued prior to May 2000, it will not appear in our online lookup. If this is the case, e-mail us and provide your name, current address, phone number, and the last four digits of your social security number for verification purpose. Indicate that you need the advice letter on how to renew your license.
Renewal of the Initial I Teaching; Initial I Counselor issued after July 1, 2005:
You must be sure that you have completed 4.5 quarter or 3 semester GRADUATE credits in education in order to renew your teaching license. This information was included in the advice letter you received when your license was issued. This is because the Initial I Teaching, the Initial I Counseling and the Initial Administrator licenses are not a permanent licenses and the commission requires that you make continuous progress toward completion of additional coursework in order to either obtain an Initial II License (if it is a teaching or counseling license) or a Continuing License (if an administrator license.) Teachers and Counselors are encouraged to complete the requirements for a Continuing License, a mark of performance excellence in Oregon. [See your advice letter for details.]
Renewal of Five-Year, Basic, Standard, Continuing, or Initial II licenses:
1. If you have been employed in education during the term of the license you are seeking to renew:
If you have been employed in education during the term of the current license for which you are seeking renewal, then you must show evidence of your employment and proof of completion of the Continuing Professional Development Requirements. This evidence is verified on the PEER form which must be completed by your employer.
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| | • Question: What are the TPSC Office/Telephone Hours?
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| | | | Answer: We are open for walk-in customers from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. We are closed for all state holidays and state furlough days.
If you would prefer to contact us by phone, please call us at (503) 378-3586, between 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm, Monday through Wednesday. If you call at other hours of the day, please leave a very detailed message asking your question and please list and spell your full name, and provide your account number or the last four digits of your SSN. If we have an email address on file for you, you will receive a response by email. You can also e-mail your questions to contact.tspc@state.or.us
State Holidays:
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King JR's Day
Presidents Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
*If the holiday falls on a Saturday, the office will be closed the preceding Friday. When the holiday falls on a Sunday, our office will be closed on the following Monday. Please note: Our office is closed the day after Thanksgiving in lieu of celebrating Veteran's Day.
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| | • Question: How do I get to the TSPC office? (return) (top) |
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| | • Question: How do I order a packet or a form? (return) (top) |
| | | | Answer: Most forms can be downloaded from our website. If you know which form you need, click here.
If you have never held an Oregon License, and you wish to order a packet that contains all of the information and forms necessary to make application for a license, please click here. | |
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| | • Question: I am currently licensed in another state and would like to get an Oregon license. What do I do? (return) (top) |
| | | | Answer: If you hold a valid license from another state, you may be eligible for the Initial Teaching License. You will need to be able to show proof that you have completed an approved Teacher education program and/or that you hold a full-time teaching license from any state. To order an application packet, please use the Contact Us, Request for an Application Packet. Include your name, address and select the appropriate license packet.
An Initial Teaching License is good for 18 months during which time you will need to complete the requirements for an initial I license. These requirements will be spelled out for you in a letter you receive with your license. | |
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| | • Question: What types of teaching licenses are available? What are the requirements for someone who has never taught in Oregon? (return) (top) |
| | | | Answer: Initial I Teaching - Apply if you have a bachelor's degree and have completed an approved bachelor's or post-bachelor's teacher education program, but only if you can satisfy ALL other requirements, including measures of subject mastery, basic skills, civil rights understanding and recent experience
Initial Teaching - Apply if you cannot satisfy all requirements for the Initial I Teaching License but have a bachelor's degree related to teaching at one or more levels in at least one specialty and have completed an approved teacher education program.
Substitute Teaching - You may apply for a Substitute Teaching License if you have completed a bachelor's degree related to teaching at one or more levels through a regionally accredited college or university and if you have completed an approved teacher education program in any state in an institution approved to prepare teachers or if you have held an unrestricted license for full-time teaching in any state. The Substitute Teaching License is valid at any level for replacing in any specialty a teacher who is temporarily unable to work.
Limited Teaching - After being offered employment, apply for this license jointly with your new employer if you have an associate's degree or the equivalent in formal postsecondary education and wish to teach at any level a highly specialized subject for which the commission does not issue a specific endorsement.
Professional-Technical Teaching - After being offered employment, apply for this license jointly with your new employer if you have a combination of education and experience judged adequate by the employer's instructor appraisal committee for teaching in a professional-technical program approved by the Oregon Department of Education.
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| | • Question: How do I get a duplicate of my license? (return) (top) |
| | | | Answer: Send a written request to Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, 250 Division St. NE, Salem, OR 97301. Please be sure to include your licensed name, current address, and your social security number, for verification purposes, along with $20 for your duplicate license. (Note: We do not provide certified or notarized copies of licenses. The gold foil State of Oregon seal serves as proof that the license is a true copy.) | |
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| | • Question: How can I provide you with an updated address?
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| | | | Answer: We are in the process of introducing new online services that provide features for you. The first phase of this project provides you with the ability to update your personal information - mailing address, phone number(s), and email address(es).
1. To access this service go to our web site (oregon.gov/tspc). On the right-hand side to the web page you will see the caption Online Services. Below this caption is the option for Educators.
2. Please select the Educator option. You will then proceed to the Educator Online Services web page.
3. Click on the link Click here to access Educator e-Account. This will take you to the TSPC Educator Account Logon.
4. Enter your Account ID and password. If you have not previously accessed your e-Account with your password, please follow the instructions on the logon page.
5. Your Contact Information is displayed on the right-hand side of the web page. If any of this information is not current, please click on the Personal tab.
6. On the Personal information page, you can change your address, phone number(s), and email address. If you would like you may also change your password.
If you choose not to update your contact data via the online service, you may send us the updated information via email (or reply to this email), or use the Contact Us option , on the TSPC web site (oregon.gov/TSPC). Along with your new address, phone number(s) or email address(s) please identify yourself with your name as it appears on your license, and your TSPC Account ID.
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| | • Question: How do I change my name? (return) (top) |
| | | | Answer: Please send a written request to Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, 250 Divisionl St. NE, Salem, OR 97301. Please be sure to include your previous name, your new name, your social security number and a copy of either a court order or a marriage certificate for proof of the name change.
If you would like to have a license with your new name on it, you will need to provide a C-1 and $20 with your request for a name change.
Note: If you report the name change at the same time you are renewing your license, the $20 fee is not required. | |
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| | • Question: What is the status of my application? (return) (top) |
| | | | Answer: Go to the Online Services / Teacher Inquiry on our website and follow the instructions to do a status look up.
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| | • Question: How do I add an endorsement to my Initial or Continuing Teaching License?
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| | | | Answer: Adding Endorsements to Initial or Continuing Teaching Licenses
(1) Subject-Matter Competency: A new endorsement will be added to a new or existing Initial or Continuing Teaching License upon documentation of one of the following: (For Middle-Level Endorsement exceptions see subsection (3) below.)
a) For endorsements where subject-matter mastery tests are required by the commission: Documentation of a passing score on all Commission-approved tests required for the endorsement; or
b) For endorsements where the commission has not approved subject-matter mastery tests in Drama, Japanese, Latin, Russian and Adaptive Physical Education:
1) Completion of a program or demonstrated completion of required coursework; or
2) A non-provisional out-of-state license in the subject-area.
C) For out-of-state applicants upon first licensure in Oregon: Proof of licensure and five years experience teaching the endorsed subject on an out-of-state non provisional license may allow for waiver of subject-matter tests in the endorsement area. (See, Section (2)(c) below for further information on the required experience.)
(2) Practicum Requirements: In addition to the requirements in subsection (1) above, one of the following practical experiences must be completed:
a) A practicum of 2 semester hours or 3 quarter hours, which except as specified below may or may not be part of a longer preparation that includes content or methods courses in the subject area, in an institution approved to prepare teachers for that endorsement;
b) Verification of one year of experience teaching the new subject-area at least one hour each day or the equivalent on either an optional assignment of ten hours or less or an approved conditional assignment permit (CAP) as allowed by OAR 584-060-0081.
c) For out-of-state licensed applicants only: Five years of experience teaching the subject area in a public school or regionally accredited private school within a U.S. jurisdiction on a license appropriate for the assignment before holding any Oregon license. Other licensed teaching experience deemed to be equivalent to five years of teaching in the manner described above must be specifically approved by the Executive Director.
(3) Specified Middle-Level Subject-Matter Endorsements: Teachers holding an Initial or Continuing Teaching License with a middle-level authorization are not required to complete an additional subject-related practicum to add the endorsements specified in this subsection. To add a middle-level endorsement to a middle-level authorized license, only the Commission-approved subject-matter high school or middle-level test or tests are required in any of the following areas:
a) Language Arts;
b) Social Studies;
c) Science; or
d) Math.
(4) Some endorsement areas may require the completion of a new authorization level prior to being added to the license. The applicant should obtain a check sheet of requirements from TSPC prior to pursing adding a new endorsement to an existing license.
(5) When Programs are Required: An approved institutional program including content and methods courses is always required as preparation for added endorsement in the following areas:
a) Special education, including Early Intervention;
b) Communication disorders;
c) Hearing impairment;
d) Visual impairment;
e) Reading; or
f) Subjects for which no subject mastery test has been required by the commission for endorsement including but not limited to: Drama, Japanese, Latin, Russian and Adaptive Physical Education.
(6) Specialty Endorsements: Specialty endorsements such as art, music, ESOL, ESOL/bilingual, physical education, adaptive physical education, reading, special education and educational media specialists require multiple-authorizations and may involve additional coursework. (See, OAR 584-060-0071.)
Stat. Auth.: ORS 342
Stats. Implemented: ORS 342.120 - 342.143, 342.153, 342.165 & 342.223 - 342.232
584-060-0071
Endorsements Requiring Multiple Authorization Levels
(1) There are several specialties in which endorsement of a teaching license must apply to more than one level of authorization. Multiple-subject endorsement is not required at any level for these specialties, meaning that a subject mastery test is required, but the Multiple Subjects Examination (MSE) is not. However, passage of the MSE alone, will not qualify an applicant for addition of the multiple subjects endorsement on licenses endorsed in specialty areas provided for under this rule.
(2)(a) Teachers of the following specialty areas must qualify, through approved academic preparation in the desired authorization levels and through supervised work experience or student teaching, for authorization at any of the following two levels: early childhood and elementary; or elementary and middle-level; or middle-level and high school:
*Art;
* Bilingual education with English for speakers of other languages (ESOL);
* ESOL;
* Music;
*Physical education;
*Adaptive physical education;
*Reading; and
*Special education.
B) Candidates completing a practica experience at either early childhood or elementary and at either middle or high school level shall qualify for authorization for pre-primary through grade twelve.
C) Teachers of special education must complete preparation in the full continuum of disabilities: mild, moderate, and severe.
(3) Educational media specialists must qualify, through approved academic preparation and through supervised work experience or student teaching, for authorization at all four levels: early childhood, elementary, middle-level, and high school.
(4)(a) Endorsements in the following areas must qualify, through approved academic preparation and through supervised work experience or student teaching, for authorization at all four levels: early childhood, elementary, middle-level, and high school:
*Communication disorders;
*Hearing impairments; or
*Visual impairments.
B) Teachers for the visually impaired must demonstrate proficiency in reading and writing Braille by obtaining a certificate of competency from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped or an equivalent certificate currently approved by the commission.
C) Teachers for students with communication disorders may obtain authorization at all four levels by earning a certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech and Hearing Association or successor approved by the commission.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 342
Stats. Implemented: ORS 342.120 - 342.143, 342.153, 342.165 & 342.223 - 342.232 | |
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| | • Question: How do I add an endorsement to my Basic or Standard Teaching License?
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| | | | Answer: Adding Endorsements to a Basic or Standard License
1) An endorsement will be added on a basic or standard license upon documentation of a passing score as currently specified by the commission on a designated test of subject mastery, together with completion of one of the following practical experiences: (For Basic or Standard Elementary License practicum exceptions, see subsection (4) below.)
a) A practicum of two semester hours or three quarter hours, which except as specified below may or may not be part of a longer preparation that includes content or methods courses in the specialty, in an institution approved to prepare teachers for that endorsement; or
b) Verification of teaching experience on either an optional assignment of ten hours or less or an approved conditional assignment permit as allowed by OAR 584-060-0081 if teaching in Oregon ( minimum 1 term of experience on an approved CAP); or
c) Verification of one year of half-time or more teaching experience in the endorsement; or
d) Completion of an approved program in the new specialty area.
(2) Alternately, the applicant may qualify for a new endorsement through completion of academic requirements, together with completion of either of the following practical experiences:
a) Verification of five years of experience teaching the new specialty on a license valid for the assignment. However, all ESOL, ESOL/bilingual experience must be completed outside of Oregon on a license valid for the assignment.
b) Verification of teaching experience on either an optional assignment of ten hours or less or an approved conditional assignment permit as allowed by OAR 584-060-0081 if teaching in Oregon.
(3) Middle-School Endorsements: Middle-School Endorsements may be added to a Basic or Standard Teaching License under the conditions specified in subsection (1) above with passage of any of the middle-school Commission approved tests in Language Arts, Social Studies or Science. The endorsement will be limited to teaching those subjects in grades 5 through 9 only. (See, OAR 584-036-0015 for rules on assignments.)
(4) Endorsements on Elementary Licenses: A subject-matter endorsement may be added to a Basic or Standard Elementary License in the core academic areas of Language Arts; Social Studies; and Science by passage of a Commission-approved test in the subject-matter area only. An additional practicum is not required.
(5) In addition to the requirements described in subsection (1)(a) above, an approved institutional program including content and methods courses is always required as preparation for added endorsement in elementary education, special education, communication disorders, hearing impairment, or visual impairment.
(6) Approved course preparation is required for adding endorsement in subjects for which no subject mastery test is available.
(7) Subjects in which the commission does not offer endorsement may be taught by anyone whose basic or standard license authorizes teaching at the grade level of the course.
(8) Academic requirements for basic endorsement are detailed in sections of OAR 584-038 below, and academic requirements for standard endorsement are detailed in OAR 584-040. Also, professional-technical endorsements to basic, standard, and pre-1965 licenses are discussed in OAR 584-042-0009.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 342
Stats. Implemented: ORS 342.120 - 342.200
Hist.: TSPC 4-1999, f. & cert. ef. 8-2-99; TSPC 6-2005(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 8-16-05 thru 1-30-06; TSPC 9-2005, f. & cert. ef. 11-15-05
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| | • Question: How much are the licensing fees?
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| | | | Answer: The evaluation fee for all licenses is $100 with the exception of the evaluation fee for the Initial Teaching License for applicants prepared outside of Oregon, which is $120.
Renewal of license $100
Duplicate License $20
Adding an endorsement $100
No additional fee is required to add an endorsement in conjunction with an application for renewal or reinstatement of a license.
Reinstatement of expired license $100 plus a late application fee of $25.00 for each month or portion of a month that the license has been expired to a maximum of $200.00 total.
Reinstatement of a suspended license $100
Reinstatement of a revoked license $250 (Includes $100 application fee)
NSF fee $25
Alternative Assessment fee $100
Expedited Service fee $99
Charter School Registration $75
Charter School Registration renewal $25
Fingerprint fee $62
Highly Qualified Teacher evaluation $50
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| | • Question: Are there alternative teaching licenses in Oregon?
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| | | | Answer: TSPC recognizes the need to provide alternatives so that individuals may obtain licenses as teachers. Not all of these licenses are renewable and they DO NOT apply to administrators, school counselors or school psychologists.
RESTRICTED TRANSITIONAL TEACHING LICENSE [See, OAR 584-060-0162 for eligibility.*]
Restricted Transitional Teaching Licenses are temporary provisional licenses issued to eligible applicants, only upon request from a school district. Districts may request this license when an otherwise licensed teacher is not available. The applicant must have a bachelor's degree or higher, the district must assign a mentor for the licensee and the licensee must complete a teacher education program within three years from the date the license is issued. These licenses do not meet the definition of "highly qualified teacher" under the federal "No Child Left Behind Act."
http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/rules/OARS_500/OAR_584/584_060.html
APPROVED NCLB ALTERNATIVE ROUTE LICENSE: [See, OAR 584-100-0041 for eligibility*]
The Approved NCLB Alternative Route License may be issued to eligible applicants only upon district request when the applicant meets the federal definition of "highly qualified teacher" in any core academic subject. This license enables the teacher to be legally designated as "highly qualified" for a period of three years. Oregon law requires that in order to remain licensed in the state, the educator must complete a teacher education program within three years from the date the license is issued.
http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/rules/OARS_500/OAR_584/584_100.html
LIMITED TEACHING LICENSE [See, OAR 584-060-0171 for eligibility*]
Limited Teaching Licenses are issued only upon district request to individuals who have very specialized expertise in an area for which there is no regularly licensed endorsement. For example: Limited Licenses are given in Chinese, Jazz Dance, ROTC and computer technology to name a few.
http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/rules/OARS_500/OAR_584/584_060.html
THREE-YEAR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION TEACHING LICENSE [See, OAR 584-042-0006 for eligibility*]
This option provides a way for people from industry to work with students in Oregon. This option is ONLY available in districts that have Oregon Department of Education-approved professional technical programs. These individuals may have recent work experience in electronics, technology, construction, health occupations, accounting, childcare, or various other fields. This license requires coapplication with an Oregon school district with an ODE approved program in the technical endorsement area requested.
http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/rules/OARS_500/OAR_584/584_042.html
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| | • Question: I hold a teaching license from another country. How do I obtain a teaching license in Oregon?
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| | | | Answer: If you have not completed a teacher education program in Oregon or in another U.S. jurisdiction, or do not hold a license issued by any state in the U.S., you may qualify for a Restricted Transitional Teaching License if you meet the following conditions:
* Hold the American equivalent of a Bachelor's degree. To determine equivalency, your transcripts must be evaluated by a college or university in Oregon approved to prepare teachers or by a private evaluation company chartered through the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Examples of private firms are: ACEI (Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc., telephone number 310-275-3530, website www.aceil.com ) or WES (World Education Services, telephone number 800-937-3895, ext 316., website www.wes.org). You also may use other companies chartered by NACES.
* Co-apply with an Oregon school district. An Oregon school district must jointly apply with you for the license.
For further information on licensure or to obtain an application packet, please call us at 503-378-3586 or e-mail us. | |
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| | • Question: When are renewal packets mailed out? (return) (top) |
| | | | Answer: Renewal packets are mailed out approximately 90 days prior to the expiration date of your license. If you do not know the expiration date of your license, please look your license up.
Please see the schedule below for the approximate date(s) when renewal packets are mailed out:
Renewal notices are sent out the last week of the month:
Expiring ----- > Mailing out (last week):
January ---- > September
February ---- > October
March ---- > November
April ---- > December
May ---- > January
June ---- > February
July ---- > March
August ---- > April
September ---- > May
October ---- > June
November ---- > July
December ---- > August
Renewal packets are mailed to the last known employer (except for Substitute Licenses) as reported to us by the Department of Education. If the Department of Education has not reported an employer for you, the renewal packet will be mailed to your home address. The information we receive from the Department of Education's is from the previous September.
If you are no longer with a school district, the school district should forward your renewal packet to your home address.
If you have moved/change of address since your last application with us, please let us know by e-mail.
A license cannot be renewed more than 90 days from the expiration date of your license.
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