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

Last updated March 2026

Renewing your Hawaii teaching license is one of the simplest processes in the nation. Hawaii doesn't require any PD hours for license renewal — instead, you need a satisfactory teaching evaluation from your school. There's no fee either. But even with a streamlined process, there are deadlines and details you need to get right.

This guide covers everything you need to know about renewing your teaching license in Hawaii in 2026: what's required, how to submit, key dates, and how to avoid the most common mistakes.

The Basics: Hawaii Teaching License Renewal at a Glance

Renewal cycle: Every 5 years
PD hours required: None — Hawaii does not mandate PD hours for license renewal
What's required instead: A satisfactory teaching evaluation submitted by your school of employment
Governing body: Hawaii Teacher Standards Board (HTSB)
Where to renew: HTSB online portal — hawaiiteacherstandardsboard.org
Renewal fee: $0 — the Hawaii State Legislature funds renewal processing

Your license expires on June 30 of your renewal year. If you're not sure when yours expires, log in to the HTSB portal to check your license status.

No PD Hours? What You Actually Need

Hawaii is unusual among US states in that the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board (HTSB) does not mandate professional development hours for license renewal. Instead, the renewal requirement is based on your teaching performance: you need a satisfactory evaluation during the term of the license being renewed.

This evaluation is submitted by your school of employment — you don't have to arrange it yourself. Your school's administration handles the evaluation process as part of their normal operations.

Of course, this doesn't mean professional development isn't happening. Hawaii's schools and the Hawaii DOE provide ongoing professional development for teachers. It's just not tracked or required by HTSB as a condition of license renewal.

Understanding Hawaii License Types

Standard License

This is the primary license for Hawaii teachers. It's valid for 5 years and requires only a satisfactory evaluation for renewal. Key details:

Valid for 5 years
Renewal requires a satisfactory evaluation from your school
No PD hours mandated by HTSB
No renewal fee
License expires on June 30 of the renewal year

Advanced License

The Advanced License is issued to teachers who hold current National Board Certification. It's also valid for 5 years and shares the same basic renewal structure:

Valid for 5 years
Requires a satisfactory evaluation and maintained National Board Certification
No PD hours mandated by HTSB
No renewal fee
Renewed through the HTSB online portal

If your National Board Certification lapses, you would revert to a Standard License rather than an Advanced License at renewal.

The Renewal Timeline

Hawaii has a clear timeline for the renewal process:

License expiration: June 30 of your renewal year
Renewal window opens: January 1 of the expiration year
HTSB reminder: HTSB sends an email reminder when the renewal window opens

That gives you a 6-month window from January 1 through June 30 to complete your renewal. Since the only requirement is a satisfactory evaluation (which your school submits), the main thing on your end is making sure you actually log in and submit the renewal application.

Pro tip: Don't rely solely on the HTSB email reminder. Set your own calendar reminder for January of your renewal year. Also make sure your email address in the HTSB system is current — if the reminder goes to an old email, you might not see it.

How to Submit Your Renewal: The HTSB Portal

Hawaii uses the HTSB online portal for all licensure actions, including renewal. Here's how the process works:

Log in to the HTSB online portal at hawaiiteacherstandardsboard.org.
Check your license status. Confirm your expiration date and that your satisfactory evaluation is on file.
Submit your renewal application. Once you're in the renewal window (January 1 of your expiration year), the renewal option will be available.
No fee to pay. The Hawaii State Legislature funds the renewal process, so there's no charge.
Receive your renewed license. Processing times vary, but you'll receive confirmation through the portal.

What If My Evaluation Isn't in the System?

If you log in to renew and your satisfactory evaluation hasn't been submitted by your school, contact your school administration and your HR department. The evaluation needs to be on file before your renewal can be processed. Don't wait until June to check — log in early in the renewal window to make sure everything is in order.

What Happens If You Miss Your Renewal Deadline?

If your license expires on June 30 and you haven't renewed, you cannot legally teach in Hawaii public schools. An expired license could affect your employment status.

Since the renewal itself is free and doesn't require PD hours, the most common reasons for missing the deadline are:

Simply forgetting to submit the renewal application
Not having a satisfactory evaluation on file in the system
Outdated contact information in the HTSB portal (missing the email reminder)

If your license does expire, contact HTSB directly to discuss reinstatement options. The sooner you act, the easier it typically is to resolve.

The bottom line: renewal in Hawaii is free and requires no PD hours. The only thing standing between you and a renewed license is remembering to log in and click submit — and making sure your school has submitted your evaluation.

Special Situations

National Board Certification

National Board Certification holds a special place in Hawaii's licensure system. Holding current NBCT status qualifies you for the Advanced License, which is Hawaii's highest license tier. If you're pursuing or maintaining National Board Certification, that work counts as an accepted activity type for your license, and it automatically qualifies you for the Advanced License.

Not Currently Employed by a Hawaii School

If you hold a Hawaii license but aren't currently employed by a Hawaii school, you may not have a satisfactory evaluation on file. Contact HTSB well before your renewal window to discuss how to satisfy the evaluation requirement in your situation.

New to Hawaii from Another State

If you recently transferred your license to Hawaii from another state, your renewal cycle is based on when your Hawaii license was issued, not when your original out-of-state license was issued. Check the HTSB portal for your specific expiration date.

Fees at a Glance

Action	Fee
Standard License renewal	$0
Advanced License renewal	$0
Expired license reinstatement	Contact HTSB

Your Renewal Checklist

Find your license expiration date in the HTSB online portal
Set a calendar reminder for January 1 of your renewal year
Make sure your email address is current in the HTSB system
Confirm your school has submitted a satisfactory evaluation
Log in to the HTSB portal after January 1 and submit your renewal
Save your confirmation for your records
If you hold an Advanced License, confirm your National Board Certification is current

Stay on Top of Your Renewal

Hawaii has one of the easiest renewal processes in the country — no PD hours, no fee, and a 6-month renewal window. But "easy" can also mean "easy to forget." The best way to stay informed is to subscribe to renewal reminders so you never miss your window.

For a full breakdown of Hawaii teacher license types and requirements, visit the ChalkReady Hawaii page.