In Michigan, educators are required to renew their teaching certificates every five years. The state offers two primary tiers of certification: the Standard Teaching Certificate and the Professional Teaching Certificate, each with specific renewal criteria.

Standard Teaching Certificate Renewal (5 years):

Requirement: 150 hours of education-related professional learning via:

• College credit (1 semester hour = 25 hours)
• State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs)
• District-Provided Professional Development (DPPD)

Alternatives:

Earn an education-related master’s degree (one-time use for renewal)

Hold a valid out-of-state teaching certificate (one-time use for renewal)

• Documentation: Hours must be recorded in the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS).

Professional Teaching Certificate Renewal (5 years):

• Requirement: Same as the Standard Certificate—150 professional learning hours or a master’s degree.
• College coursework (1 semester credit = 25 professional learning hours)
• Additional:
• Three years of effective/highly effective performance evaluations.
• Required reading coursework for progression (6 hours for elementary, 3 hours for secondary, plus 3 hours in diagnostics & remediation).

Happy Teacher can help Michigan educators meet these requirements.

• Happy Teacher works with HLC-accredited universities to help Michigan educators earn the six semester hours of college credit.
• Happy Teacher partners with Upper Iowa University to help Michigan educators earn a Master’s in Education degree for only $10,000!

Important: Renewal requirements are subject to change. We recommend consulting the Michigan Department of Education’s website to ensure you have the most up-to-date information.

Here are courses popular with Michigan educators:

• AI For Educators 
• Effective Classroom Management
• Stress Management
• English Language Learners: Practical Strategies for Educators