Teaching License/Certification Application
Effective May 31, 2001, Title 68 O.S. 238.1 requires all license/certificate holders be in compliance with Oklahoma state income tax laws BEFORE a teaching license or certificate can be RENEWED.
Effective November 1, 2001, Oklahoma statute 70 O.S. 6-190 requires applicants for initial Oklahoma teacher licensure to have an Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation AND Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint-based criminal history record clearance. The OSU Professional Education Unit will assist you in being fingerprinted at the beginning of your student teaching semester.
To receive Oklahoma State University’s in-state or out-of-state licensure/certification ‘Recommendation’ or ‘Verification’ of program completion, the applicant must:
- be admitted and maintain admission to OSU’s Professional Education Unit
- complete the appropriate level of degree
- meet the Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement
- meet the Computer Proficiency Requirement
- complete the required courses with the required grades and grade-point-averages
- have confirmation of the final clearance of portfolio submission III
- pass the required Certification Examinations for Oklahoma Educators for Oklahoma licensure
- complete the state’s application for licensure with current/complete official transcripts from all institutions attended.
Unless the applicant has successfully completed all of the above, Oklahoma State University will not make a recommendation or verify program completion for an in-state or out-of-state license, certificate or endorsement.
You will apply for your Oklahoma Teaching License during the semester in which you complete your degree and/or certification requirements. The first form is a license and after successful completion of the residency year, teachers earn a Standard Oklahoma Certificate. License applications are available in 325 Willard. The Professional Education Staff will attend your class meeting at the end of the clinical practice semester. You will have the opportunity to make application and submit your other institution transcripts at that meeting. You can also submit your paperwork to the Office of Professional Education in 325 Willard anytime during the semester.
Some school districts require a copy of your Oklahoma License or a “Contingency Letter/Letter of Intent” in the job application process. If you find it beneficial, you may submit your License Application and the fee to 325 Willard earlier in the semester and request a Contingency Letter. The office provides you with one letter. To prevent you from accidentally mailing the original Contingency Letter, we recommend that you place it in a protective sheet and keep it for your records.
The Oklahoma State Department of Education requires the submission of OFFICIAL transcripts from ALL Institutions you have attended with your license application. OSU transcripts do not include grades from other institutions. If you have attended other colleges or universities, please contact the institution(s) now and have them forward an OFFICIAL transcript to Nancy Recker, Office of Professional Education, 325 Willard, Stillwater, OK 74078. You may have provided other OSU offices with a transcript; however, the transcript becomes the permanent property of that office and cannot be released to the Office of Professional Education. The transcript will be held in your OSU certification file until it is forwarded with your application at the time you are being recommended for your license to the Oklahoma State Department of Education.
