Rhode Island Initial Certificate — Classroom Teacher Renewal Requirements
Verified March 23, 2026Official source
Everything you need to renew your Initial Certificate — Classroom Teacher in Rhode Island: required hours, accepted PD types, fees, and approved providers.
Requirements at a Glance
90
PD hours required
3
years per cycle
$40
Renewal fee
Free
Late fee
Accepted PD Activity Types
- School district-provided professional development
- RIDE-approved provider courses and workshops
- Accredited college coursework (1 college credit = 15 PLUs)
- State and national education conferences from approved providers
Special Rules & Notes
Important notes for this license
- 90 PLUs (Professional Learning Units) required to progress from Initial to Professional certificate (30 PLUs per year of employment)
- 1 hour of a qualifying professional learning activity = 1 PLU; 1 college credit = 15 PLUs
- PLU requirement is phased in — educators hired from 2020 onward are subject to the full 30 PLU/year requirement
- PLUs must be pre-approved when using college coursework
- Renewal and progression applications submitted through My eCert on the RIDE portal
- Teachers who complete 90 PLUs over 3 years progress to the Professional (5-year) certificate
Approved PD Providers
Sorted by price per hour — cheapest first. Est. total based on 90 hours needed.
No approved providers on file for this state yet. Check back soon, or visit the official DOE site for a full list.
How to Submit Your Hours
Once you've completed your 90 hours, submit your renewal application through the Rhode IslandDepartment of Education's official online portal. Have your PD certificates ready to upload.
Go to Rhode Island Renewal Portal