Applying for a Teaching License

When candidates complete their programs, they are eligible to be recommended for a teaching license. License applications can be obtained from the Office of Teacher Education Services. Completed applications are returned to that office along with the necessary fee and the Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History report. The Office of Teacher Education Services confirms eligibility and verifies that the candidate has passed the necessary licensure exams. The application is then submitted to the Standards Board. The license is usually issued within three to four weeks. The Initial Practitioner license is valid for two years. Beginning with the 2004-2005 academic year, candidates will be able to submit their initial application on line. Please contact the Office of Teacher Education Services for information on this option.

The application for a license requires that each applicant answer the following questions, among others:

Have you ever had a credential, certificate, or license to teach denied, revoked, or suspended in Indiana or in any other state?
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor?
Have you been convicted of a misdemeanor other than minor traffic violations since January 15, 1994?

If the answer to either of those questions is "Yes" the applicant must provide a written statement of explanation.

Any individual desiring to become a teacher (or other professional school personnel) should observe the following suggestions:

Do not become involved in any activities which could possibly lead to a felony or misdemeanor conviction even if they are not considered "serious" by some individuals.
If such a conviction does happen, before proceeding any further with a teaching curriculum, have your attorney contact the Indiana Department of Education to see if the conviction would disqualify you for a license, regardless of the particular offense.
Complete the license application accurately and truthfully. Even if you have had a misdemeanor conviction for a "minor" offense, admit it and provide the required documentation. Lying on a license application is grounds for disqualification or revocation!
Beginning July 1, 2007, all applicants for an initial license must have successfully completed training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation that includes a test demonstration on a mannequin; removing a foreign body causing an obstruction in an airway, and the Heimlich Maneuver; and hold a valid certification in each of these procedures from either the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association. A candidate for licensure will be required to provide evidence that they have completed this training before a license can be issued.