How to Renew Your Teaching Certificate in Michigan (2026 Guide)

Last updated March 2026

Renewing your Michigan teaching certificate is something every educator in the state needs to do every five years — but the process and terminology can trip you up if you are not prepared. SCECHs? MOECS? DPPD? Michigan has its own set of acronyms and systems that you need to understand to renew smoothly.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know about renewing your Michigan teaching certificate in 2026: how many hours you need, what counts, the difference between certificate levels, and how to submit through MOECS.

For a quick overview of all MI certificate types and requirements, visit the ChalkReady Michigan page.

The Basics: Michigan Teaching Certificate Renewal at a Glance

Renewal cycle: Every 5 years
Hours required: 150 State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs)
Alternative: 6 semester credit hours from a regionally accredited institution
Governing body: Michigan Department of Education (MDE)
Where to renew: Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS) — michigan.gov/mde
Renewal fee: $60
Certificate expiration: June 30 of the renewal year

You can begin your renewal process starting January 1 of your expiration year. Your certificate expires on June 30, so plan accordingly.

Understanding the 150 SCECH Requirement

Michigan measures professional development in State Continuing Education Clock Hours, or SCECHs. You need 150 SCECHs per 5-year renewal cycle — that is 30 per year on average, which is very doable if you plan ahead.

Alternatively, you can satisfy the entire requirement with 6 semester credit hours from a regionally accredited college or university. Since 1 semester credit hour equals 25 SCECHs, 6 credits give you exactly 150 SCECHs worth of renewal credit.

You can also mix and match: take some university coursework and earn the remaining SCECHs through other approved activities.

What Counts as SCECHs in Michigan?

Michigan accepts several types of professional development toward your 150 SCECH requirement:

SCECHs from approved providers — Organizations and providers approved by MDE to offer SCECH-bearing professional development
District Provided Professional Development (DPPD) — PD run by your school district, logged as SCECHs through MOECS by an approved sponsor
University or college semester credit hours — 1 credit equals 25 SCECHs; must be from a regionally accredited institution
Planned course of study — A structured program of study from an accredited institution

How DPPD Works

Most of the PD your district provides during staff meetings, workshop days, and in-service sessions qualifies as DPPD. Your district must have an approved DPPD sponsor who enters those hours into MOECS on your behalf. Always confirm with your building administrator or district PD coordinator that your district-provided sessions are being logged in the system.

Michigan Certificate Types and Renewal

Michigan has three main teaching certificate levels, and the good news is that the renewal requirements are the same for all three: 150 SCECHs (or 6 semester credits) per 5-year cycle, with a $60 fee.

Standard Teaching Certificate

This is the initial certificate for educators who have completed an approved teacher preparation program. It requires 150 SCECHs for renewal. Renewal can be submitted beginning January 1 of the expiration year, and the certificate expires June 30.

Professional Teaching Certificate

The next level up from the Standard Certificate. It also requires 150 SCECHs for renewal. Professional Certificates have unlimited renewals — each renewal extends your certificate by another 5 years.

Advanced Professional Teaching Certificate

This certificate requires a master's degree or higher for initial issuance and also requires 150 SCECHs for renewal. Like the Professional Certificate, it has unlimited renewals.

How to Submit Your Renewal: The MOECS Portal

Michigan uses the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS) for all certification management. Here is the step-by-step renewal process:

Log in to MOECS at michigan.gov/mde using your MDE credentials.
Review your SCECH summary. MOECS tracks SCECHs that have been reported by approved providers and DPPD sponsors. Check that all your hours are showing up correctly.
Upload documentation for any missing hours. If you completed university coursework, you may need to submit official transcripts. For SCECHs from approved providers outside your district, verify they have been entered into the system.
Submit your renewal application. Once you have 150 SCECHs (or 6 semester credits) logged, submit your renewal through MOECS. You can begin this process on January 1 of your expiration year.
Pay the $60 fee online through MOECS.
Receive your renewed certificate. Processing times vary. You will receive confirmation through MOECS and can access your updated certificate online.

Approved PD Providers in Michigan

Not every workshop or online course automatically gives you SCECHs. To count toward your renewal, PD must come from an MDE-approved source. Approved sources include:

School districts with DPPD sponsors — District-run PD logged through an approved sponsor in MOECS
Intermediate School Districts (ISDs) — Michigan's regional education agencies that offer extensive PD catalogs
MDE-approved SCECH providers — Private organizations and online platforms that have completed MDE's provider approval process
Accredited colleges and universities — Any regionally accredited institution; coursework counts at 25 SCECHs per semester credit

Before paying for any course, verify that the provider is approved to offer SCECHs in Michigan. Many online PD platforms advertise broadly but are not MDE-approved. Check with MDE's provider list or contact the provider directly to confirm.

What Happens If You Miss Your Renewal Deadline?

Michigan teaching certificates expire on June 30 of the renewal year. If your certificate expires, you are not authorized to teach in a Michigan public school, and your district will be notified.

Michigan does not charge a separate late fee, but you will still need to complete the full 150 SCECH requirement and pay the $60 renewal fee. Depending on how long your certificate has been expired, you may face additional reinstatement requirements. Contact MDE directly if your certificate has been expired for an extended period.

The bottom line: mark your calendar and renew before June 30.

Fees at a Glance

Action	Fee
Standard Certificate renewal	$60
Professional Certificate renewal	$60
Advanced Professional Certificate renewal	$60
Late fee	$0 (no separate late fee)

Special Situations

University Coursework vs. SCECHs

If you are pursuing a master's degree or taking graduate courses, those credits pull double duty. One semester credit hour equals 25 SCECHs, and 6 credits fully satisfy the renewal requirement. This is especially relevant if you hold a Standard Certificate and are working toward a Professional or Advanced Professional Certificate — your graduate coursework counts toward both your degree and your renewal.

Progressing from Standard to Professional Certificate

If you hold a Standard Certificate and want to advance to a Professional Certificate, there are additional requirements beyond the 150 SCECHs. Talk to your district's HR or certification specialist about the pathway. Renewal and advancement are separate processes, though some of the same PD may count for both.

Out-of-State PD

Professional development completed in another state can count toward Michigan renewal if it meets the SCECH-eligible activity types. The PD must be entered into MOECS by an approved sponsor. If you completed PD out of state, contact an approved SCECH provider or your ISD to discuss how to get those hours logged.

Your Renewal Checklist

Log in to MOECS and confirm your certificate expiration date
Set a calendar reminder for January 1 of your expiration year (earliest renewal date)
Review your current SCECH total in MOECS
Verify that your district's DPPD hours have been entered by an approved sponsor
Plan additional PD activities to reach 150 SCECHs (or 6 semester credits)
Confirm that any non-district providers are MDE-approved SCECH providers
Submit your renewal through MOECS before June 30
Pay the $60 fee and save your confirmation

Stay on Top of Your Renewal

Michigan's SCECH system is straightforward once you understand it, but the key is to check MOECS regularly throughout your 5-year cycle — not just at the end. Make sure your district is logging your DPPD hours and that any outside PD is showing up in the system.

For a full breakdown of Michigan certificate types, fees, and accepted PD hours, visit the ChalkReady Michigan page. You can also check MDE's official certification guidance at michigan.gov/mde for the latest updates.