Licenses and Renewals

WELCOME TO WICHITA PUBLIC SCHOOLS!

Please send the needed information to the Human Resources Licensure Office (903 S. Edgemoor, Wichita, KS 67218) by September 10^th.*

• Electronic (PDF) or hard copy of your Kansas License
• Official transcripts showing degree and additional graduate hours (if any) Paper or electronic transcripts accepted.

Check your current credential information by clicking on the following link: KSDE - Search License

If you need any further assistance or are in need of license renewal, please email Abby McFadden at amcfadden@usd259.net

*All documents must be turned in prior to September 10^th or the current school year or your first duty day (whichever occurs later), as mandated by Article V, Section A, Paragraph 3 of the BOE/UTW Teacher Agreement.

Professional License Renewals

The renewal application can be found online by visiting ksde.org. Click “Teaching and Learning,” “License Applications,” and choose Form 3a.

https://www.ksde.org/Agency/Division-of-Learning-Services/Teacher-Licensure-TL/Licensure/License-Requirements/Renewal-of-Professional-License-Requirements 

If you have a Master’s degree:
It is not necessary for you to use college credit for renewal. You may renew with 120 Professional Development Points, every five years.

• On question 31, choose, "Professional development points (120 professional development points)."
• The Licensure Specialist will upload your professional development transcript

If you have a Bachelor’s degree:
A minimum of 4 college credit hours (worth 80 PD points) earned during the term of your current license and recorded in My Learning Plan (as college credit request) are required, as well as an additional 80 Professional Development points, for a total of 160 points.

• On question 31, choose, "Professional development points and college credit (160 points, with at least 80 of those points earned from semester credit hours)."
• Add your college credit for renewal to Frontline Professional Growth (Instructions here)
• Send your college transcripts to the district's Licensure Specialist (transcript instructions) 
• The Licensure Specialist will upload your college and professional development transcripts

Fingerprint Requirements:  Effective November 15, 2014
Any person submitting any of the following will ALSO be required to submit AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION, a complete set of fingerprints and the required fee:

• An application for the first Kansas certificate or license,
• An application for renewal of an expired Kansas certificate or license, or
• New »» An application for renewal of a valid Kansas certificate or license if the person has never submitted fingerprints as part of any previous application for Kansas certificate or license.

Check your current credential information by clicking on the following link: KSDE - Search License

Once you have submitted your application form and the Licensure Specialist has uploaded your documents, you will receive an automated email from KSDE to pay the application fee. Pay online ($3 surcharge) or mail in a check or money order. Mailed payments MUST be accompanied by a payment form. 

If you need any further assistance or have another type of license in need of renewal, please email Abby McFadden at amcfadden@usd259.net

Kansas State Department of Education Website
www.ksde.org

OUT OF DISTRICT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN/TRANSCRIPT

Sedgwick country residents not employed by an accredited school district wishing to renew or apply for a Kansas teaching license who are considered “out of district” may work with the Wichita Public Schools Licensure Specialist to complete application procedures.

College courses for out of district renewals must first be approved by the district’s Council for Professional Learning. The CPL meets the second Thursday of every month when school is in session.

• Fill out the Out of District Professional Development Form with the college courses and/or professional development desired.
  • Courses must be at least 500 level and pertain to professional education or your content area.
  • University/college program approved by the state that leads to a new endorsement/license (e.g.: ESOL, School Counselor, Building Leadership, etc.) may also be considered with a university approved Plan of Study.
• Return to the Licensure Specialist in Human Resources (903 S. Edgemoor, Wichita, KS  67218). You will be notified within a week of CPL meeting whether the courses were approved or denied.

OUT OF STATE APPLICANTS 

Teaching in Kansas requires a Kansas license issued through The Kansas State Board of Education. If all requirements for Kansas licensure have not been met, it may be possible for an individual to obtain an Exchange License, a Temporary One-Year-Non-Renewable License, or a Transitional License during which time they can complete any unmet Kansas requirements. Kansas licensure is based on completion of approved teacher education programs. Additional endorsements added by passing a test are not accepted.  An application packet may be found at http://www.ksde.org/

Central States Exchange Agreement

There is an exchange agreement between Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, North Dakota, Kansas and Oklahoma. The agreement applies only to those individuals who are applying for an INITIAL Kansas license and who do not meet the requirements for a Kansas Conditional License. The agreement allows individuals who have completed a state approved teacher education program or school specialist program in their home state and who hold a standard valid license in that state to receive a two-year Exchange License in Kansas. During the two-year period, all deficiencies must be completed. Examples of deficiencies are: pre-licensure examinations; a 2.5 cumulative grade point average; recency credit. Administrative endorsements are not included in the agreement. NOTE: Oklahoma alternative license does not fall within the exchange agreement. The applicant should complete an out-of-state application packet (Form 2) and specify they are requesting an Exchange License.

Temporary One-Year-Non-Renewable License

Valid for the current school year only.  Applicant meets all requirements for a conditional license EXCEPT for all or part of the pre-licensure tests.  The applicant must submit a complete application packet.  In lieu of official scores, a request from a district administrator that also verifies employment in a Kansas district must be submitted.  The assignment must be in the endorsement area that the license will be issued for.  The tests the individual is deficient in must be completed during the school year in order to upgrade to the conditional teaching license.

RESTRICTED TEACHING LICENSE

If offered employment by a Kansas school district, an individual with a content area degree may receive a two year restricted teaching license. This license allows a district to hire an individual who has not completed a traditional teacher education program. The individual is given access to practice (restricted teaching license) while he/she completes the teacher education (pedagogy) course work with a Kansas college or university. The process is a collaborative effort among the applicant, a school district, and a participating institution of higher education. The restricted teaching license application is available at http://www.ksde.org/. Individuals or districts interested in this type of license should begin by contacting a college or university.

If you need any further assistance, please email Abby McFadden at amcfadden@usd259.net

WAIVERS

Teachers hired for a subject or grade level for which they are not currently fully licensed may be eligible for a waiver to teach that in that subject or area. By agreeing to be on a waiver, a teacher must be enrolled in a university program for that content area and provide proof of enrollment each semester they teach until they receive the full endorsement on their license.

Kansas License types that must be held to be eligible for waiver:

• Professional License
• Initial/Conditional License
• Standard 5-Year Certificate
• Transitional License

License Considered on individual basis:

• Exchange License
• One-year, Non-Renewable License
• Interim Alternative License

A waiver can be renewed twice (one year for each waiver) for a total of three years. In most cases, a student who has completed half of a Plan of Study in their content program will be eligible to move from a waiver to a Provisional License, which is good for two years and can be renewed once (a total of four years).

ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION

Transition-to-Teaching programs are an alternative delivery model for teacher preparation, developed to accommodate local area schools with teacher shortages.  The process is a collaborative effort among the applicant, a school district, and a participating institution of higher education.

If offered employment by a Kansas school district, an individual with a content area degree may receive a two year restricted teaching license. This license allows a district to hire an individual who has not completed a traditional teacher education program. The individual is given access to practice (restricted teaching license) while he/she completes the teacher education (pedagogy) course work with a Kansas college or university.

Through this program individuals with an undergraduate degree in a correlating content area (i.e., math, sciences, English) can quickly transition to a career as a paid teacher in a local middle or high school. Beginning with a summer pre-service session, candidates spend two years teaching with a restricted license while completing education coursework. The restricted teaching license application is available at http://www.ksde.org/. Candidates receive support from a peer cohort, the university, the district, and a district mentor. At the conclusion of the program, the candidate is recommended for the Kansas Initial Teaching License.

Individuals interested in this type of license should begin by contacting a college or university.

If you have questions or need assistance regarding the requirements and/or process of a waiver or alternative certification program, please email Abby McFadden at amcfadden@usd259.net

Check your current credential information by clicking on the following link: KSDE - Search License

When do I need to send a transcript?

Salary Consideration:

All documents must be turned in prior to September 10th of the current school year or your first duty day (whichever occurs later), as mandated by Article V, Section A, Paragraph 3 of the BOE/UTW Teacher Agreement 

Only official transcripts may be accepted.

• Official paper transcripts may be sent via USPS to Human Resources at 903 S. Edgemoor, Wichita, KS 67218
• Official electronic transcripts also accepted, but only when sent directly from the university or clearinghouse to transcripts@usd259.net

License Renewal:

If you hold only a Bachelor’s degree, a minimum of 4 college credit hours (worth 80 PD points) earned during the term of your current license and recorded in Frontline Professional Growth (as college credit request) are required, as well as an additional 80 Professional Development points, for a total of 160 points.

Both Wichita Public Schools AND the Kansas Department of Education (KSDE) will require an official transcript.

• If you have already submitted a transcript to WPS, please work with the Licensure Specialist to have a copy included with your renewal documents. 

If you have any questions, please contact Abby McFadden at amcfadden@usd259.net

RELATED SERVICES

The Wichita Public Schools on-site Licensure Specialist is available to serve all of our certified staff with questions and transcript recording. For assistance renewing licenses not issued by the Kansas Department of Education (KSDE), please instead consult your respective Student Support Services Coordinator:

Nurse	Kimber Kasitz	kkasitz@usd259.net
Social Worker	Hilary Trudo	htrudo@usd259.net
Speech Language Pathologist	Hollie Dawson-Butler	hdawsonbutler@usd259.net
Occupational Therapist	Hollie Dawson-Butler	hdawsonbutler@usd259.net
Physical Therapist	Hollie Dawson-Butler	hdawsonbutler@usd259.net
Audiologist	Hollie Dawson-Butler	hdawsonbutler@usd259.net

Most Psychologists and Counselors are licensed by KSDE. In the event you are instead licensed by BSRB, your coordinator is as follows:

Psychologist	Dr. Holly Yager	hyager@usd259.net
Counselor	Leigh Kasper	lkasper@usd259.net

All certified staff employed by Wichita Public Schools must hold proper licensure.

While we provide assistance and reminders to our employees, you are responsible for keeping your license current and your offer of employment with the district was contingent upon your having a current license at all times.

According to K.S.A 72-2159, “A Kansas educator cannot legally be paid unless the educator holds a license which is valid in the state of Kansas for the particular kind of work to be performed.”

Failure to maintain proper licensure will result in termination of contract, which may also impact or eliminate benefits, tenure, longevity, and service years.

According to Article V, Section L, Paragraph 1 of the Agreement between the Wichita Public Schools Board of Education and United Teachers of Wichita, "Teachers that have National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification shall receive a stipend of $2,250 per year."

If you qualify, please send a copy of your certificate that includes your name, certificate number, issue date, and expiration date to Kim Anderson at kanderson8@usd259.net

This stipend is paid in monthly installments via supplemental pay (TNC). Please note that this is paid based on the months in the contract year and not your certificate dates. For example, if your certificate is issued for December 2021 - December 2026, you will be paid for 8/1/21 – 7/31/26 (as long as you remain employed with Wichita Public Schools).

If you would like more information on Natational Board Certification, please visit one of the links below.