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

Last updated March 2026

Vermont's teacher license renewal process has a few unique wrinkles that set it apart from other states — most notably, requirements are tied to each individual endorsement, and the renewal fee is one of the higher ones nationally. Understanding the system upfront can save you time, money, and frustration.

This guide covers everything you need to know about renewing your teaching license in Vermont in 2026: the difference between Level I and Level II, how endorsement-specific hours work, what counts as PD, fees, and how to submit through the AOE portal.

The Basics: Vermont Teaching License Renewal at a Glance

• License levels: Level I (3-year cycle) and Level II (5-year cycle)
• Hours required: 45 hours per endorsement (Level I) or 90 hours per endorsement (Level II)
• Governing body: Vermont Agency of Education (AOE)
• Where to renew: Vermont AOE licensing portal — education.vermont.gov
• Renewal fee: $280

Vermont uses a two-tier license system. Level I is for newer educators, and Level II is the standard career-stage license for experienced Vermont teachers. Both require professional development hours tied to your specific endorsement areas.

Level I License: 3-Year Renewal

The Level I License is renewed every 3 years and requires 45 hours (equivalent to 3 credits) per renewal cycle, per endorsement. Here's how the hours break down:

• At least 15 hours (1 credit) must be directly related to the specific endorsement being renewed
• Remaining 30 hours (2 credits) must fall within the Vermont Core Teaching and Leadership Standards

The endorsement-specific requirement is important: if your endorsement is in mathematics, at least 15 of your 45 hours must be math-related PD. The other 30 hours give you more flexibility as long as they align with Vermont's teaching and leadership standards.

Level II License: 5-Year Renewal

The Level II License is Vermont's standard career-stage license for experienced educators. It renews every 5 years and requires 90 hours (6 credits) per cycle, per endorsement:

• At least 30 hours (2 credits) must be directly related to the specific endorsement being renewed
• Remaining 60 hours (4 credits) must fall within the Vermont Core Teaching and Leadership Standards

At 90 hours over 5 years, that's 18 hours per year — a manageable pace if you plan ahead. But remember, these requirements apply per endorsement. If you hold multiple endorsements, see the section on multiple endorsements below.

What Counts as PD in Vermont?

Vermont accepts several types of professional development for license renewal:

• University or college coursework — 1 credit equals 15 hours
• Professional development aligned to endorsement knowledge and performance standards
• Professional learning aligned to Vermont Core Teaching and Leadership Standards
• District-sponsored PD programs
• State-approved workshops and conferences
• National Board Certification activities (Level II only)

Endorsement-Specific vs. General Hours

The key thing to understand is the split between endorsement-specific hours and general professional learning hours:

• Endorsement-specific hours must directly relate to the content area or role of your endorsement (e.g., science content for a science endorsement, special education practices for a special ed endorsement)
• General hours must align with the Vermont Core Teaching and Leadership Standards — this includes topics like classroom management, assessment practices, equity and inclusion, technology integration, and more

When choosing PD, be intentional about categorizing hours. Not all workshops will clearly fall into one bucket, so keep notes on how each activity connects to your endorsement or to the Core Standards.

National Board Certification (Level II)

If you hold or are pursuing National Board Certification, the work you do for NBPTS counts toward your Level II renewal hours. The certification process typically generates far more than 90 hours of professional learning.

The Renewal Process

Vermont handles license renewal through the Agency of Education's online licensing portal. Here's how to submit:

1. Log in to the AOE licensing portal at education.vermont.gov.
2. Review your license and endorsement details. Confirm which endorsements are up for renewal and their expiration dates.
3. Document your professional development hours. Organize your hours into endorsement-specific and Core Teaching and Leadership Standards categories.
4. Upload supporting documentation — transcripts for college coursework, certificates of completion for workshops, and records of district-sponsored PD.
5. Submit your renewal application through the portal.
6. Pay the $280 renewal fee.
7. Receive your renewed license with updated expiration dates.

What Happens If You Miss Your Renewal Deadline?

If your license expires and you haven't renewed, you cannot legally teach in Vermont public schools. You'll need to contact the Vermont Agency of Education to discuss reinstatement options, which may require meeting current licensure requirements and completing any outstanding professional development.

Vermont does not charge a separate late fee, but the disruption to your career and the potential need to meet updated requirements make it well worth renewing on time.

Special Situations

Multiple Endorsements

This is where Vermont's system gets complex. The hour requirements apply per endorsement. If you hold two endorsements on a Level II license, you technically need 90 hours for each — but hours that fall under the Vermont Core Teaching and Leadership Standards can overlap across endorsements. Only the endorsement-specific hours need to be unique to each area.

For example, if you hold both a math endorsement and a science endorsement on a Level II license:

• You need 30 hours of math-specific PD for your math endorsement
• You need 30 hours of science-specific PD for your science endorsement
• Your 60 hours of Core Teaching and Leadership Standards PD can count toward both endorsements

Plan your PD strategically to maximize overlap in the general hours category.

Moving from Level I to Level II

Level II is the standard career-stage license for experienced Vermont educators. Advancing from Level I to Level II involves meeting additional requirements beyond just renewal. Check with the AOE for the current pathway, which typically includes a peer review process and demonstrated teaching competency.

Out-of-State PD

Professional development completed in another state can count toward Vermont renewal if it aligns with your endorsement area or the Vermont Core Teaching and Leadership Standards. Keep thorough documentation — you'll need to demonstrate the connection when you upload records to the portal.

Fees at a Glance

Action	Fee
Level I License renewal	$280
Level II License renewal	$280
Late renewal fee	$0 (no separate late fee)

At $280, Vermont has one of the higher renewal fees in the country. Budget for it as part of your renewal planning.

Your Renewal Checklist

1. Confirm your license level (Level I or Level II) and expiration date on the AOE portal
2. Identify all endorsements on your license — remember, hour requirements apply per endorsement
3. Set a calendar reminder at least 12 months before your license expires
4. Plan endorsement-specific PD: at least 15 hours per endorsement (Level I) or 30 hours per endorsement (Level II)
5. Plan general PD aligned to Vermont Core Teaching and Leadership Standards: 30 hours (Level I) or 60 hours (Level II)
6. Keep detailed records of all PD activities, including how each one connects to your endorsement or Core Standards
7. Log in to the AOE licensing portal and upload all documentation
8. Submit your renewal application and pay the $280 fee
9. Save your confirmation and check for your updated license

Stay on Top of Your Renewal

Vermont's per-endorsement system means you need to be more intentional about planning your professional development than teachers in most other states. Start early, track your hours carefully, and make sure you're covering both the endorsement-specific and general categories.

Subscribe to renewal reminders so you never miss a deadline or a change in Vermont's licensing requirements.

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