Become a Teacher

A temporary nonrenewable license is for an applicant that meets all other requirements for an initial teaching license except for the Praxis content assessments. 

Each temporary nonrenewable license is valid ONLY for individuals applying for their initial teaching license.

The temporary nonrenewable license shall be valid ONLY through June 30th of the school year it is issued in. 

You apply for the temporary nonrenewable license by completing an initial license application.

A Provisional Teaching Endorsement License allows a licensed teacher to temporarily teach in a new subject area while completing the required coursework for full endorsement.

Who Can Apply?

You must already hold a valid Kansas teaching license (either Initial or Professional)

Requirements for Non-Special Education Endorsement Areas:

To apply, you need to submit:

• Proof of Progress
  • Show you’ve completed at least 50% of an approved teacher education program in the subject you want to teach
• Deficiency Plan
  • A plan from your college or university explaining what courses you still need to finish
• Employment Verification
  • Confirmation that you have a teaching job in the area of the provisional endorsement
• Application Form
  • Complete and submit the official application for a provisional endorsement license

Special Education Endorsements:

If you’re applying for special education areas (such as high-incidence, low-incidence, deaf/hard-of-hearing, gifted, or visually impaired), you need:

To apply, you need to submit:

• Special Coursework:
  • Completed classes in special education methods and characteristics of exceptional children, plus a practicum in the specific area.
• Deficiency Plan
  • A plan from your college or university explaining what courses you still need to finish.
• Employment Verification
  • Confirmation that you have a teaching job in the area of the provisional endorsement.
• Application Form
  • Complete and submit the official application for a provisional endorsement license.

This is a license that allows an individual to temporarily practice if the individual held a license but does not meet recent credit, recent experience, or the renewal requirements to qualify for an initial teaching license or a professional teaching license, an initial school specialist license or a professional school specialist license, or an initial school leadership license or a professional school leadership license.

To be eligible for a transitional license:

• You have an expired Kansas Initial or professional license 
• Your license has been expired for at least six months

A transitional license is:

• A nonrenewable license valid for the school year in which you apply
• Allows you to accept a teaching position while completing renewal requirements for your expired initial or professional license

You will fill out Form 3c Transitional License (for a license that has been expired six months or more)

It is recommended that you do not apply for this license unless you are employed or have been offered employment in a Kansas school district.  

If you have been teaching out of state at least halftime under contract for three of the last six years, please contact our office before applying for a transitional license

STEM license allows an individual to teach only life science, physical science, earth and space science, mathematics, engineering, computer technology, finance, or accounting subjects in a KSDE accredited school. 

STEM license is only valid in the school year it is issued and must be renewed each year.

The license is only valid for grades 8 through 12.

To qualify for a STEM teaching license, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Education
   You must have an official transcript showing you earned a college degree (undergraduate or graduate) in one of these fields:
   • Life Science
   • Physical Science
   • Earth & Space Science
   • Mathematics
   • Engineering
   • Computer Technology
   • Finance or Accounting
2. Work Experience
   You need at least five years of full-time professional experience in your subject area
3. Job Offer
   A school district (local education agency) must agree to hire you and assign you to teach only the subject listed on your STEM license
4. Professional Development
   The hiring school district must provide appropriate training and professional learning opportunities to support your success

To apply for a STEM license you will fill out form 10

Restricted Career & Technical Education Certificate

Career & Technical Education CTE Specialized Certificate

Checklist for a Full-Time Specialized CTE Certificate

• Verification of an industry-recognized credential or certification in the applicable technical profession
• Verification of at least five years of full-time work experience in the related industry or technical profession
• District request for issuance and course authorization
• Register in Kansas Licensure Application System (KLAS)
• Completed application
• Fingerprints

Check list for a Half-Time CTE Specialized Certificate

At least one of the following requirements, as appropriate for the profession:

• Pass a recognized trade competency examination (e.g., a NOCTI Carpentry Examination for Residential Carpentry)
• Hold a valid occupational or professional license related to the CTE area (e.g., nursing license for Health Science, law license for Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security)
• Earn an appropriate postsecondary degree in the related field (e.g., Business degree for Business Management)
• Hold an industry-recognized credential aligned to the career pathway (commonly used in Information Technology and other technical fields)
• Document at least two years (4,000 hours) of occupational work experience directly related to the CTE program area (e.g., experience working as a chef for Culinary Arts)
• District request for issuance and course authorization
• Register in Kansas Licensure Application System (KLAS)
• Completed application
• Fingerprints

You will complete form 6e CTE Specialized Certificate.

To apply for a Kansas teaching license based on your out of state teaching license, you will need to submit an online application and provide the following documentation:

Required Application Materials:

• Official transcripts showing the degree earned and the date it was conferred
• If you hold additional degrees, an official transcript is required for each one
• Evidence of a content assessment from Praxis or a comparable content assessment
• A copy of your current, standard out‑of‑state teaching license
  • The Kansas license you are applying for must match the endorsement(s) listed on your out‑of‑state license

Verification of an approved teacher preparation program:

• This form is sent to the email address you enter for your education program in the application, must be completed by the unit head or designated official from the institution where you completed your state‑approved teacher education program.

Verification of recent teaching experience:

• You must provide proof of at least one year of teaching experience within the past two years before the date of your application.

Military documentation (if applicable):

• If you or your spouse is serving, or has honorably served, in the military, you will submit a copy of your standard military ID or DD‑214 showing honorable discharge.

Fingerprinting and Background Check:

• All applicants must submit fingerprints and successfully pass a criminal background check as part of the licensure process. Visit the Fingerprint page for more information.

Out of state Licensure Standing:

• Your out‑of‑state teaching license must be in good standing and not under any disciplinary action to qualify for Kansas licensure.

If you completed your teacher education program outside the United States, you can apply for an initial Kansas teaching license if you meet these requirements:

Credential Evaluation:

Submit an official evaluation of your foreign education credentials from a credential evaluator approved by the Kansas State Board of Education. You will need to use a member that is part of National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.

English Proficiency:

If English is not your primary language, you must provide proof of passing scores on an English proficiency test approved by the State Board. You may find more information about the TOEFL here.

Content testing: 

You must pass the correct content assessment exam for your specific content area.

Applications Found in License Applications

You will still need to register for/login to KLAS.

On the main menu, you will see three options:

1) KLAS
2) License Applications (you need to select this option for any application below)
3) Fingerprint Portal

To access any of the applications listed below, please select 2) License Applications

In order to qualify for a standard substitute license:

• Have earned a bachelor’s degree, or above 

AND

• Verification from an accredited institution of completion of an approved teacher preparation program 

If you completed an approved Kansas teacher preparation program, you need to complete the standard substitute license application. 

If you completed a teacher preparation program outside of Kansas, then you need to complete the out of state application. 

If your degree has led to bachelor’s degree but it did NOT lead to a teaching license you do NOT qualify for the standard substitute license. Please review the emergency substitute license information. 

First-Time Applicants

You may qualify for an emergency substitute license in one of two ways:

Option 1: College Credit Pathway

Requirements:

• Minimum of 60 semester credit hours from a regionally accredited college or university
  Accepted accrediting bodies:
  • Middle States Commission of Higher Education
  • The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities (Formally Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges)
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges
  • Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
  • Association for Biblical Higher Education
  • New England Commission of Higher Education

Note: CEUs and clock hours do not count toward semester credit hours.

Option 2: Greenbush Training Pathway

If you do not meet the 60-credit requirement, you may qualify by completing the Greenbush Emergency Substitute Training Modules.

Requirements:

1. High school diploma
2. Completion of Greenbush Emergency Substitute Training Modules
3. Verification of hire from a local school district
4. Application + $60 processing fee
5. Fingerprint background check + $57 fee

*Click here to register and complete the Greenbush Emergency Substitute Training Modules: plus.greenbush.org.

License Validity

• First license: Valid through June 30 of the school year in which you apply
• Renewals: Valid for two school years
  • You may apply for renewal starting in February of the year your license expires

License Limitations (Greenbush Pathway)

• Non-transferable; limited to the school district listed on the license
• May apply for multiple districts if each submits an Expanded Emergency Substitute Qualification Form
• Only one $60 application fee is required for multiple districts
• May serve no more than 25 consecutive days in the same assignment
• May substitute up to 75 school days per semester in one district