How to Renew Your Teaching License in Delaware (2026 Guide)

Last updated March 2026

Renewing your Delaware teaching license doesn't have to be stressful — but it does require planning. Delaware requires 90 clock hours of professional development over your 5-year renewal cycle, and at least half of those hours need to be directly related to your work with students or staff. If you don't track your hours carefully, you could find yourself scrambling as your expiration date approaches.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about how to renew your teaching license in Delaware in 2026: how many hours you need, what counts, how to submit, and how to avoid the most common mistakes.

The Basics: Delaware Teaching License Renewal at a Glance

Renewal cycle: Every 5 years (Continuing License)
Hours required: 90 clock hours of professional development
Governing body: Delaware Department of Education (DDOE)
Where to renew: DEEDS Educator Dashboard — education.delaware.gov
Renewal fee: $0 — no fee for license renewal

Your license's expiration date is listed on your current license and in the DEEDS system. If you're not sure when yours expires, log in to the DEEDS Educator Dashboard to check.

Understanding the 90-Hour PD Requirement

Delaware requires 90 clock hours of professional development during the 5-year period preceding your renewal application. That works out to 18 hours per year — very manageable if you plan ahead, especially since much of it may be covered by your district's required PD.

There's one important rule to keep in mind: at least 45 of your 90 hours must relate directly to your work with students or staff. The remaining 45 hours can be on broader education topics, but that core 45 must be tied to your actual teaching practice, content area, or role.

All clock hours must have taken place during the term of your current Continuing License. Hours completed before your current license was issued won't count toward renewal.

What Counts as PD in Delaware?

Delaware accepts a range of professional development activity types toward your 90-hour requirement:

Structured professional development activities from approved providers
University or college coursework
School district or charter school-sponsored professional development
State-approved workshops, conferences, and seminars
National Board Certification activities

How Hours Get Verified

How your hours are verified depends on where you work:

Employed by a Delaware public or charter school: Your district's human resources office verifies and approves your PD hours. Work with your HR department to make sure your hours are properly logged.
Not employed by a Delaware public or charter school: The Department of Education verifies your hours directly. You'll need to submit documentation (certificates of completion, transcripts, etc.) through the DEEDS system.

The 5-Year Renewal Cycle Explained

Delaware Continuing Licenses are valid for 5 years. Your expiration date determines when you need to renew — not the school year or the date you were hired.

The renewal window opens approximately 6 months before your license expiration date. Once the window opens, you can log in to DEEDS and submit your renewal.

Pro tip: Don't wait until the last minute. Start checking your hour count at least a year before your expiration date so you have time to complete any remaining PD. Set a calendar reminder 12 months out and another at 6 months when the renewal window opens.

How to Submit Your Renewal: The DEEDS Portal

Delaware uses the DEEDS (Delaware Educator Data System) Educator Dashboard for all licensure actions, including renewal. Here's how the process works:

Log in to the DEEDS Educator Dashboard at education.delaware.gov.
Review your PD hours. Check that your logged hours total at least 90, with at least 45 directly related to your work with students or staff.
Click "Renew My License/Permit." This button becomes available when you're within the renewal window (approximately 6 months before expiration).
Submit any required documentation. If you have hours that haven't been verified by your district, you may need to upload certificates of completion or transcripts.
Submit the renewal application. There's no fee to pay, so once your hours are verified, the process is straightforward.
Receive your renewed license. Processing times vary. You'll receive confirmation through the DEEDS system.

Delaware License Types

Continuing License

This is the standard license for experienced Delaware educators. It's valid for 5 years, requires 90 clock hours of PD for renewal, and there's no renewal fee. This is the license most working teachers hold.

Initial License

The Initial License is valid for 3 years and is issued to new educators entering the profession. No specific PD hour count is required for the Initial License period, but you must advance to a Continuing License before it expires. During the Initial License period, you'll need to:

Complete any required mentoring or induction requirements set by your employing district
Participate in district-sponsored professional development
Meet the requirements to advance to the Continuing License

The Initial License is not indefinitely renewable — it's a stepping stone to the Continuing License.

What Happens If You Miss Your Renewal Deadline?

If your Continuing License expires, you cannot legally teach in a Delaware public school. An expired license means your district will be notified, and your employment could be affected.

If you're close to your deadline and don't have enough hours, reach out to the DDOE as early as possible. It's much easier to resolve the situation before expiration than after. Depending on the circumstances, you may need to complete additional PD or reapply for licensure.

The bottom line: 90 hours over 5 years is very achievable — especially with district-sponsored PD. The key is not to assume your district PD alone will cover it. Check your count early and often.

Special Situations

National Board Certification

If you hold or are pursuing National Board Certification, the work you do for NBPTS counts toward your 90-hour requirement in Delaware. This is a great way to double-dip — advancing your career while fulfilling your renewal obligation.

Charter School Educators

If you work at a Delaware charter school, your PD hours are verified and approved by the charter school's HR office, just like district educators. Make sure your charter school is properly logging your hours in the DEEDS system.

Educators Working Outside Delaware

If you hold a Delaware license but are currently working out of state, the Department of Education (not a district HR office) will verify your hours. You'll need to submit documentation directly through DEEDS.

Fees at a Glance

Action	Fee
Continuing License renewal	$0
Initial License	$0
Expired license reinstatement	Contact DDOE

Your Renewal Checklist

Find your license expiration date in the DEEDS Educator Dashboard
Set calendar reminders at 12 months and 6 months before expiration
Review your current PD hour count in DEEDS
Confirm at least 45 of your 90 hours are directly related to your work with students or staff
Complete any remaining hours through approved providers, coursework, or district PD
Work with your district HR office to verify all hours are properly logged
Log in to DEEDS and click "Renew My License/Permit" during the renewal window
Submit the application and save your confirmation

Stay on Top of Your Renewal

Delaware's renewal process is free and the 90-hour requirement is manageable — but the 45-hour direct practice rule can catch people off guard. The best way to stay informed is to subscribe to renewal reminders so you know when deadlines are approaching and requirements change.

For a full breakdown of Delaware teacher license types, requirements, and accepted PD hours, visit the ChalkReady Delaware page.