Educator Licensure Services

The Educator Licensure office is the state agency responsible for issuing licenses to teachers, school administrators and school-based support personnel seeking to practice in or receive a license from the District of Columbia.

Office Hours

Monday-Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.

General consultation from the licensure team is available.  Consultation includes Q & A regarding licensure application requirements and processing timelines, and a check to ensure that application packets have the documents required to begin a review.  Licensure evaluations/eligibility determinations are not conducted at the time of submission as that will occur once a complete application packet is logged into our system for review by a specialist.

Friday: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm for application/material pick-up and drop-off only. Consultation from the licensure team is not available.

Educator Licensure Services

• Teacher Licensure
• Interstate Licensure Agreement (Reciprocity)
• Teacher Licensure Exams [PDF]
• School Support Personnel Licensure
• Licensure Renewal
• Educators Prepared Outside of the United States
• Occupational and Experiential Licensure
• Obtaining Teaching Endorsement Licensure
• Licensure Re-Evaluation or Upgrade
• Substitute Teacher Licensure
• Teacher Licensure Regulations effective January 9, 2009 [PDF]

School Administrator Licensure Information

• School Administrator Licensure
• School Administrator Licensure Exam [PDF]
• Licensure Renewal for School Administrators
• Administrator Licensure Regulations effective November 28, 2008 [PDF]

Information for All License Seekers

• Procedures to obtain Nation-wide Criminal History report (for DCPS employees only) [PDF]
• Procedures to obtain Nation-wide Criminal History report (for all other applicants) [PDF]
• Fee Schedule for Licensure Services [PDF]
• Directory of Approved Educator Preparation Programs [PDF]
• Request a Duplicate Copy of a License [PDF]

Forward completed application packets to:
OSSE – Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
Educator Licensure and Accreditation
810 First Street NE, 5th Floor
Washington, DC 20002

Please note that all applications contain an application documentation checklist for you to verify required documentation that must be submitted with your application.