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

Last updated March 2026

If you're a Louisiana teacher coming up on your renewal date, there's one thing you should know right away: unlike most states, your district handles most of the renewal paperwork for you. That's the good news. The catch is that you still need to earn 150 Continuing Learning Units (CLUs) over your 5-year cycle — and making sure those hours are properly documented is your responsibility.

This guide covers everything you need to know about renewing your teaching certificate in Louisiana in 2026: how many hours you need, what counts as a CLU, how the district-based submission process works, and how to avoid the most common mistakes.

The Basics: Louisiana Teaching Certificate Renewal at a Glance

• Renewal cycle: Every 5 years
• Hours required: 150 Continuing Learning Units (CLUs / clock hours)
• Governing body: Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE)
• Where to renew: Through your employing school district, via the Louisiana Educator Certification (LEC) portal — louisianabelieves.com
• Renewal fee: $30
• Certificate expires: June 30 of the renewal year

Your expiration date is listed on your certificate. If you're unsure when yours expires, contact your district's certification office or check the LEC portal.

Understanding the 150 CLU Requirement

Louisiana requires 150 Continuing Learning Units (CLUs) per 5-year renewal cycle for both Level 2 and Level 3 teaching certificates. That works out to about 30 hours per year — manageable if you plan ahead and take advantage of district-provided PD.

The hours don't have to be completed in any particular order or by a specific annual deadline. You just need to accumulate all 150 by the time your certificate expires.

What Counts as a CLU in Louisiana?

Louisiana accepts several types of professional development toward your 150 CLU requirement:

• District-approved professional development (workshops, training sessions, in-service days)
• College or university coursework (official transcripts required)
• State-approved PD programs and workshops
• Conferences and seminars related to your teaching area
• Online courses from approved providers

The key word here is "district-approved." Your CLUs must be verified by your employing school district through the Certification Update Packet. If you're completing PD outside of your district's offerings, make sure to get it approved before assuming it will count.

How CLUs Are Tracked

Your school district is responsible for tracking and verifying your CLUs. Most districts maintain records of PD hours earned through district-sponsored activities. For outside PD, you'll need to provide certificates of completion, transcripts, or other documentation to your district's certification office so they can add those hours to your total.

Pro tip: Keep your own records too. Don't rely solely on the district to track everything. Save certificates of completion, transcripts, and sign-in sheets in a personal folder — digital or physical. If there's ever a discrepancy, having your own documentation can save you weeks of back-and-forth.

Level 2 vs. Level 3 Certificates

Louisiana has multiple certificate levels, and the renewal requirements for CLU hours are the same for Level 2 and Level 3:

Certificate Type	CLUs Required	Renewal Period	Fee
Level 2 Teaching Certificate	150 CLUs	5 years	$30
Level 3 Teaching Certificate	150 CLUs	5 years	$30

The main difference between Level 2 and Level 3 is how you earned them — Level 3 typically requires a master's degree plus additional teaching experience. But once you're in the renewal cycle, the process and hour requirements are identical.

The District-Based Renewal Process

Here's where Louisiana differs from most states: you don't submit your own renewal directly to the state. Instead, your employing school district submits the renewal on your behalf through the Louisiana Educator Certification (LEC) portal.

Here's how the process works:

1. Earn your 150 CLUs over the course of your 5-year certificate period. Keep documentation of all PD activities.
2. Submit documentation to your district. Provide certificates of completion, transcripts, and any other proof of PD hours to your district's certification office.
3. District verifies your CLUs through the Certification Update Packet. Your district reviews your hours and confirms they meet the 150 CLU requirement.
4. District submits renewal to the state via the LEC portal at louisianabelieves.com.
5. Pay the $30 renewal fee. The fee is paid as part of the submission process.
6. Receive your renewed certificate. Once processed by the LDOE, your updated certificate will be available.

Important: Because the district handles submission, you need to start the process early. Don't wait until June to hand your documentation to the certification office. Give them time to review and submit before the June 30 expiration date.

Good News: No More Background Check Fee

As of January 2025, Louisiana eliminated the $25 criminal background check fee for certificate renewals. Previously, teachers had to pay this fee on top of the $30 renewal fee. This change saves you money and simplifies the process.

What If You're Not Currently Employed by a Louisiana District?

If you're not currently working in a Louisiana public school — perhaps you're teaching at a private school, working in another state, or on a leave — the district-based submission process doesn't apply to you in the usual way. Contact the LDOE directly through the LEC portal or the certification help desk to discuss your renewal options. You may need to submit your CLU documentation directly to the state.

What Happens If You Miss Your Renewal Deadline?

If your certificate expires, you cannot legally teach in a Louisiana public school. Your district will be notified, and continuing to teach on an expired certificate is not permitted.

Louisiana does allow expired certificates to be renewed, but the process may involve additional steps. If you realize your certificate has lapsed, contact the LDOE certification office immediately. The sooner you act, the simpler the resolution is likely to be.

The bottom line: don't let it expire. Work with your district well before June 30 to make sure everything is submitted on time.

Fees at a Glance

Action	Fee
Level 2 certificate renewal	$30
Level 3 certificate renewal	$30
Criminal background check (renewal)	$0 (eliminated January 2025)

Your Renewal Checklist

1. Find your certificate expiration date (check your certificate or contact your district)
2. Set a calendar reminder at least 6 months before your June 30 expiration
3. Track your CLU hours throughout the 5-year cycle — aim for about 30 per year
4. Keep personal copies of all PD certificates, transcripts, and documentation
5. Submit your documentation to your district's certification office well before the deadline
6. Confirm your district has verified your 150 CLUs and submitted the renewal
7. Pay the $30 renewal fee
8. Save your confirmation and download your renewed certificate when available

Stay on Top of Your Renewal

Louisiana's certification requirements can change — the LDOE periodically updates policies and procedures. The best way to stay informed is to subscribe to renewal reminders so you know when requirements shift in your state.

For a full breakdown of Louisiana teacher certificate types, fees, and CLU requirements, visit the ChalkReady Louisiana page.