Licensure Process
Updated 1/08/2021
Overview | How to Obtain Your License | Additional Assistance | Out of State Licenses | Frequently Asked Questions
Overview
The College of Education, Office of Student Academic Services (OSAS) submits a list of program completers to the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board (HTSB) at the end of each semester. MEdT candidates are typically included on this list after completion of their third semester. Names of qualified MEdT candidates will be included in the fall semester list (submitted in January) if they have:
Met the basic skills & content knowledge requirement (HTSB requirement)
Released their social security numbers to the College of Education on the Makalei Application
Confirmed their area of licensure with the MEdT Office How To
Earned a B- or better in MEdT coursework in Semesters 1 through 3
Successfully completed student teaching in their area of licensure
Candidates must meet all of the above conditions in order to be included on the list and recommended for licensure. Lists are submitted approximately 4-6 weeks after the grade submission deadline. This is to ensure that the coursework has been successfully completed and to allow MEdT Faculty and Staff to double check the list for accuracy. The College will be charged a fee for corrections, so it is important to submit accurate information. The College submits one list per semester so candidates missing the designated deadlines will need to wait until the next reporting period. This may result in a 3-6 month delay in obtaining a license.
Once receiving the program completer list, the HTSB will review applications and start issuing licenses to any candidate who has an application on file. Your license will be retroactive to the first day of the month in which it is issued.
The list is also sent to UH Admissions and Records so the following statement can be printed on your transcript: “Comp State Apprv Tchr Prgm MM/DD/YY”. The date printed will correspond to the commencement date for the semester you are recommended for licensure. It will take approximately 8-10 weeks from the grade submission deadline for this notation to be printed. Check your record on https://star.hawaii.edu to see if it has posted. Go to "Academic Essentials" and look under "Events and Actions."
How to Obtain Your License
Candidates are responsible for ensuring they meet the licensure criteria specified above in order to be included on the licensure recommendation list. If candidates are interested in obtaining a teaching license from the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, they are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the process and for submitting all required documents to HTSB. The only item that will be automatically submitted for candidates who have met all the licensure requirements is the license recommendation list. This eliminates the need for candidates to complete the HTSB Institutional Recommendation Form. As stated on the HTSB website, "Applicants completing a Hawai'i state approved teacher education program since 2002 are NOT required to submit the HTSB Institutional Recommendation because documentation will be submitted directly to HTSB by Hawaii's approved teacher education institutions and agencies no later than 6 weeks following the date of your program completion". The program completion date is the date commencement ceremonies are held for the semester you are recommended for licensure.
Additional Assistance
MEdT candidates should contact the licensing agency (HTSB) directly with any questions about obtaining a license. The College of Education Office of Student Academic Services and MEdT faculty and staff do not provide advising on the licensure process. To assist candidates in getting information about obtaining a license, the College of Education invites HTSB representatives to host a seminar each semester. We highly encourage candidates to attend this seminar to familiarize themselves with the license process. Candidates who were not able to attend the seminar or who need to review the process should watch the recording of the seminar that was sent out after the presentation.
Please check https://hawaiiteacherstandardsboard.org/ and our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Licensure page before calling our office for more information.
Out of State Licenses
Candidates pursuing a license in other states should check with the respective state’s teacher licensing agency to obtain the necessary forms. If they require program completion to be validated by the College, complete sections requiring candidate information and forward the forms to the MEdT office. Please provide a self addressed stamped envelope if you would like the document to be returned to you by mail. The form may need to be routed to other departments for completion so please allow at least 7 business days for processing.
How To
How to Release your SSN
Effective Spring 2010, HTSB requires the College to provide the candidate's name, licensure area and social security numbers. We are not allowed to include individuals with out social security numbers (SSN) and we are not allowed to release your social security number unless we have been given permission. Candidates must release their Social Security Number in Makalei if they wish to be included on the licensure list. DO NOT email your SSN to the MEdT office.
If your SSN was not released when completing the Makalei Application in the admission process, you will receive an email from the MEdT Office with instructions to contact the Office of Student Academic Services for further instructions.
How to Confirm your Area of Licensure
The MEdT program will send eligible candidates an email in the third semester with a link to a Google form that must be completed in order to confirm their area of licensure. Candidates must log in with their UH username and password in order to access the form. The department will not grant access to personal Gmail accounts. Candidates who fail to do so before the designated deadline will not be included on the licensure list for the semester and will need to wait until the next reporting period. This may result in a 3-6 month delay in obtaining a teacher license.