STEM, Equity, Leadership, and Government-to-Government Clock Hours

The purpose of continuing education requirements is to improve educator effectiveness, leading to better outcomes and learning for students. Most educators are required to earn 100 clock hours every five years to renew their certificate. Depending on the type of certificate held, educators may need to complete specific clock hours in STEM, Equity, Leadership, or Government-to-Government areas to maintain their certificate. Please see the clock hour types below for more information on each requirement. 

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Hours Renewal Requirement

As of September 1, 2019, renewal applications for Initial, Residency, Professional, and Continuing teacher and Initial/Continuing CTE certificates require completion of at least 15 clock hours, or at least one goal from an annual professional growth plan (PGP) with an emphasis on STEM integration.

Please Note: The STEM certificate renewal requirement is considered to be met by holders of a valid National Board Certificate. Please see the Professional Educator Standards Board STEM Renewal Requirement page.

The requirement applies to the following currently offered endorsement areas:

• Computer Science
• CTE (All areas)
  • Agriculture Education, Business and Marketing Education, Family and Consumer Sciences Education, Technology Education
• Designated Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Physics
• Early Childhood Education
• Elementary Education
• Mathematics; Middle Level Mathematics
• Science; Middle Level Science

For a list of endorsements that are no longer offered (but may still be held by current educators) and whether these endorsements are subject to the STEM certificate renewal requirement, please see the STEM Endorsement Areas Sheet.

Approving STEM Hours Guidance

Approved providers may offer STEM clock hours and independently vet each offering to ensure the course meets the intent of the STEM clock hour requirement. STEM clock hours are offered on a case-by-case basis, provided the course qualifies by meeting the Specified Criteria and Guiding Questions.

Criteria

• The RCW intends to ensure students have exposure to authentic STEM integration experiences that align with state learning standards, including information about STEM-related career choices.
  • The intent is for educators to incorporate the learning from the STEM activity within their professional practice, such as a classroom or professional development opportunity (PLC, staff meeting, district-level workshop, etc.).
• The educator must participate in or demonstrate implementation of a STEM activity.
  • The learning or activity must demonstrate authentic integration of science, technology, engineering, and math, incorporating at least 2 of the 4 STEM elements. Only one element out the STEM learning experience is not considered an authentic STEM experience.

Guiding Questions

Providers of STEM-related continuing education should design course offerings to ensure educators will meet the renewal requirement by answering "YES" to all of the following questions.

1. Will the STEM activity have an impact on STEM experiences for students?
2. Does the STEM activity provide examples or resources to use with students or with other educators?
3. Does the STEM activity provide examples or resources about STEM-related career choices to use with students?

Equity Hours Renewal Requirement

As part of the 100 clock hours for certificate renewal, teachers and administrators must complete clock hours, PGPs, or credits focused on equity-based school practices aligned to the cultural competency, diversity, equity, and inclusion (CCDEI) standards.

• Teachers must complete 15 clock hours or the equivalent for certificate renewal
• Administrators need to complete 10 clock hours or the equivalent.

Please Note: Educators can meet the equity-based school practices certificate renewal requirement by maintaining a valid NBPTS National Board certificate.

Who can offer professional learning that meets the equity-based school practices requirements?

Organizations designated by the Legislature must provide professional learning.

Approving Equity Hours Guidance

Legislation-approved providers may offer Equity clock hours and independently vet each offering to ensure the course meets the intent of the Equity clock hour requirement. Equity clock hours are offered on a case-by-case basis, provided the course qualifies by meeting the Cultural competency, diversity, equity, and inclusion (CCDEI) standards.

Leadership Hours Renewal Requirement 

As part of the 100 clock hours for certificate renewal, administrators must complete 10 clock hours, or the equivalent in credit or PGPs, focused on national professional standards for education leaders. Administrators must also meet the requirements for equity-based school practices and government-to-government relations.

Who can offer professional learning that meets the educational leadership requirements?

Organizations designated by the Legislature must provide professional learning.

Approving Leadership Hours Guidance

Legislation-approved providers may offer Leadership clock hours and independently vet each offering to ensure the course meets the intent of the Leadership clock hour requirement. Leadership clock hours are offered on a case-by-case basis, provided the course qualifies by meeting the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders.

Government-to-Government Hours Renewal Requirement

Beginning July 1, 2023, administrators must complete five clock hours focused on government-to-government relations with federally recognized tribes as part of the 100 clock hours for certificate renewal. The government-to-government relations requirement cannot be met with a professional growth plan.

Who can offer professional learning that meets this requirement?

Continuing education related to government-to-government relationships with federally recognized tribes may only be provided by subject matter experts approved by the Governor’s Office on Indian Affairs (GOIA) in collaboration with the Tribal Leaders Congress on Education (TLCE) and the OSPI Office of Native Education (ONE).

When is the next training for this requirement?

Government-to-Government Relationships Training Dates and Locations

How do I earn clock hours for these requirements?

Clock hours for government-to-government professional learning are available as activity-based clock hours. The OSPI ONE issues these activity-based clock hours.