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Advanced Professional Teaching Certificate Renewal
The Advanced Professional Teaching Certificate (APC) is valid for up to 5 years and each renewal adds five years to the certificate’s validity. A renewal can be requested any time after January 1 of the expiration year.
The APC recognizes completion of an approved Teacher Leader program or specialist preparation program or achieving National Board certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
School districts approach assignments and benefits associated with the APC differently; therefore, we encourage you to talk with your school and district leaders about your district’s approach.
Renewal Requirements
- Education-Related Professional Learning totaling 150 hours. Any teachers unable to meet the APC renewal requirements may return to the Professional Teaching Certificate.
Important Note
Educators who hold the School Counselor (NT) endorsement on a teaching certificate, regardless of current assignment, must meet the requirements of law (MCL 380.1233(6)) to renew that teaching certificate. Information pertaining to renewing a school counselor credential can be accessed via the School Counselor Credential Renewals guidance. Endorsements are not renewed; rather, certificates are renewed, and a renewal of that certificate will maintain the existing endorsements. An endorsement can only be removed from a Michigan teaching certificate if the nullification process is utilized.
Education-Related Professional Learning
Education-Related Professional Learning Options
One of the following Education-Related Professional Learning options must be earned since the issue date of the most recent certificate or renewal. These hours must be entered into Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS) prior to applying for the renewal for the system to recognize your eligibility:
- 6 semester credit hours appropriate to the content and grade level of the certificate and endorsement from a regionally accredited college or university; or
- 6 semester hours in a planned course of study* from a college or university recognized by Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or U.S. Department of Education (USDE); or
- 150 Michigan State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) appropriate to the content and grade level of the certificate and endorsement; or
- 150 hours of Michigan District Provided Professional Development (DPPD) appropriate to the content and grade level of the certificate and endorsement.
- Any combination of the above.
*Credits in a planned course of study may include credits taken as part of an education-related master’s or higher degree or credits in a program that leads to an endorsement.
Education-Related Professional Learning Conversion
College credit |
1 semester credit = 25 professional learning hours |
SCECH |
1 SCECH Hour = 1 professional learning hour |
DPPD |
1 DPPD hour = 1 professional learning hour |
Documenting Education-Related Professional Learning
- College credits must be documented on a transcript and submitted as part of the application. Unofficial transcripts or copies are acceptable.
- SCECHs are maintained in the system and do not require additional documentation as part of the application process. In order to receive SCECHs, programs must be submitted by the sponsoring entity and educators must complete the evaluation in their MOECS profile.
- DPPD completed prior to July 1, 2020 must be submitted in the MOECS system and a form signed by the administrator must be submitted as well.