How to Renew Your Teaching Certificate in Washington State (2026 Guide)

Last updated March 2026

Renewing your Washington State teaching certificate is straightforward once you understand the requirements — but there are some newer rules (especially around equity-based clock hours) that catch educators off guard. Whether you hold a Residency or Continuing certificate, this guide covers everything you need to know.

This guide breaks down how to renew your teaching certificate in Washington in 2026: how many clock hours you need, what counts, the equity requirement, how to submit through OSPI, and how to avoid common mistakes.

The Basics: Washington Teaching Certificate Renewal at a Glance

• Renewal cycle: Every 5 years
• Hours required: 100 clock hours (or equivalent credits/PGPs)
• Governing body: Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
• Where to renew: OSPI eCertification portal — ospi.k12.wa.us
• Renewal fee: $52 (Continuing Certificate) / $81 (Residency Certificate)
• Uniform expiration date: June 30 of the expiration year
• On-time application deadline: January 1 of the expiration year

Washington issues two main types of teacher certificates: the Residency Teacher Certificate (for educators in their initial years) and the Continuing Teacher Certificate (for experienced educators). Both require 100 clock hours per 5-year cycle, but they differ in fees and long-term expectations.

Understanding the 100 Clock Hour Requirement

Washington requires 100 clock hours of professional development per 5-year renewal cycle. That works out to 20 hours per year — a manageable pace, especially since most districts offer substantial PD during the school year.

The hours don't have to be completed in any particular annual sequence. You just need to accumulate all 100 by the time you apply for renewal.

Credits and PGPs Count Too

You don't have to earn all 100 hours as traditional clock hours. Washington allows several equivalents:

• College semester credits: 1 semester credit = 15 clock hours
• College quarter credits: 1 quarter credit = 10 clock hours
• Professional Growth Plans (PGPs): 1 PGP = 25 clock hours (maximum of 1 PGP per year, so up to 5 PGPs per cycle = 125 hours)

You can mix and match clock hours, credits, and PGPs to reach your 100-hour total.

What Counts as Professional Development in Washington?

Washington accepts the following types of professional development toward your clock hours:

• Clock hours from OSPI-approved continuing education providers
• College or university coursework (semester or quarter credits, converted as above)
• Professional Growth Plans (PGPs) — self-directed learning projects documented and verified by your school
• National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification activities
• STEM integration clock hours (for educators with STEM-related endorsements)

The Equity Requirement: 15 Clock Hours You Can't Skip

As of July 1, 2023, Washington requires all educators to complete 15 clock hours in equity-based school practices aligned with the Cultural Competency, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (CCDEI) standards. This applies to both Residency and Continuing certificates.

These 15 equity hours are part of your 100-hour total — they are not additional hours on top of it. However, they must specifically address equity-based practices. General PD that doesn't focus on equity won't satisfy this requirement.

Important: Clock hours used to satisfy the equity requirement cannot be double-counted for another specific area requirement (like STEM or leadership). Plan accordingly.

STEM Requirement for Endorsed Educators

If you hold a STEM-related endorsement, you have an additional requirement: 15 clock hours in STEM integration. Like the equity hours, these are part of your 100-hour total but must specifically address STEM topics. And again, they cannot be double-counted with your equity hours.

The 5-Year Renewal Cycle Explained

Washington uses a uniform expiration date of June 30 for all teaching certificates. Regardless of when your certificate was originally issued, it will expire on June 30 of the expiration year printed on your certificate.

The on-time application deadline is January 1 of your expiration year. Applying by January 1 ensures your renewal is processed before the June 30 expiration.

Example: If your certificate expires June 30, 2026, you should submit your renewal application by January 1, 2026. You need all 100 clock hours completed and documented before you apply.

Pro tip: Don't wait until December 31 to submit. The OSPI eCertification system can be slow during peak periods, and any issues with your documentation could delay processing. Aim to submit by November of the year before expiration.

How to Submit Your Renewal: The OSPI eCertification Portal

Washington uses the OSPI eCertification portal for all certification actions, including renewal. Here's how the process works:

1. Log in to eCertification at ospi.k12.wa.us using your OSPI educator account credentials.
2. Review your professional learning record. The system shows clock hours that have been reported by approved providers. Check that all your activities are recorded.
3. Verify your equity hours. Make sure at least 15 of your clock hours are specifically flagged as equity-based CCDEI training. If you hold a STEM endorsement, verify your STEM hours are also recorded.
4. Upload documentation for any hours not in the system. If you completed PD through a provider whose hours aren't showing, upload your certificate of completion or transcript.
5. Submit your renewal application by January 1 of your expiration year and pay the fee online ($52 for Continuing, $81 for Residency).
6. Receive your renewed certificate. Processing typically takes several weeks. You'll receive notification through the eCertification portal.

Certificate Types: Continuing vs. Residency

Understanding which certificate you hold matters because the fees differ and the Residency certificate has additional long-term expectations:

• Continuing Teacher Certificate ($52 renewal): For experienced Washington educators who have already completed a state-approved Professional Certification program. This is the standard long-term certificate. Requires 100 clock hours per 5-year cycle including 15 equity hours.
• Residency Teacher Certificate ($81 renewal): For educators in their initial years of practice. Also requires 100 clock hours per 5-year cycle including 15 equity hours. However, Residency certificate holders are expected to eventually advance to the Continuing certificate by completing a state-approved Professional Certification program.

If you're on a Residency certificate, talk to your district about Professional Certification program options — advancing to Continuing status is important for your long-term career.

What Happens If You Miss Your Renewal Deadline?

If your certificate expires on June 30 and you haven't renewed, you cannot legally teach in a Washington public school. Your district will be notified, and your position could be affected.

Washington does not charge a late fee, but you'll still need to complete all 100 clock hours (including the 15 equity hours) before your renewal can be processed. If your certificate has been expired for an extended period, you may face additional requirements — contact OSPI directly to discuss your situation.

The bottom line: submit your application by January 1 and don't let your certificate expire on June 30.

Special Situations

National Board Certification

If you hold or are pursuing National Board Certification through NBPTS, that work counts toward your 100 clock hours. Additionally, NBPTS certification satisfies the equity clock hour requirement — so National Board certified teachers don't need to separately fulfill the 15 equity hours.

Professional Growth Plans (PGPs)

A PGP is a self-directed learning project that you design, carry out, and document. Each PGP is worth 25 clock hours, and you can complete up to 1 PGP per year. Over a 5-year cycle, that's up to 125 clock hours from PGPs alone — more than enough to cover the 100-hour requirement.

PGPs are a great option if your specific professional interests aren't well-served by available workshops. You'll need to work with your school to design and verify the plan.

Out-of-State PD

PD completed in another state can count toward your Washington renewal if the provider is approved by OSPI or if the activity falls into an accepted category. Keep your certificates of completion and upload them to eCertification.

Fees at a Glance

Action	Fee
Continuing Teacher Certificate renewal	$52
Residency Teacher Certificate renewal	$81
Late renewal	No additional late fee

Your Renewal Checklist

1. Find your certificate expiration date in the OSPI eCertification portal (all certificates expire June 30)
2. Set a calendar reminder for January 1 of your expiration year (the on-time application deadline)
3. Review your current clock hour total in eCertification
4. Plan PD activities to reach 100 clock hours, including at least 15 equity-based CCDEI hours
5. If you hold a STEM endorsement, plan for an additional 15 STEM integration hours (no double-counting with equity)
6. Verify any non-district providers are OSPI-approved before registering
7. Submit your renewal application by January 1 of your expiration year
8. Pay the fee ($52 for Continuing, $81 for Residency) and save your confirmation
9. If you hold a Residency certificate, explore Professional Certification program options to advance to Continuing

Stay on Top of Your Renewal

Washington renewal requirements can change — OSPI updates rules periodically, as the 2023 equity requirement demonstrated. 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 Washington teacher certificate types, fees, and accepted clock hours, visit the ChalkReady Washington page.