Vermont Teacher Certification Renewal
Vermont teacher certification renewal runs on a cycle set by license level. Level I renews every three years and Level II every five, both through the ALiS online licensing portal. Level I renewal needs three professional development credits per endorsement area, and Level II needs six, including at least two tied to the endorsement. Lapsed licenses require formal reinstatement.
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Every licensed Vermont teacher works on a renewal cycle set by license level. This guide covers Vermont teacher certification renewal requirements for both license levels, as well as reinstatement steps for a lapsed license. Level I licenses run for three years. Level II licenses run five. The Vermont Agency of Education manages both renewal and reinstatement through the ALiS online licensing system, and the credit requirements differ depending on which license type you hold. For an overview of every Vermont licensure path, see Vermont Teaching Certification.
Teaching Certification Renewal
When a Vermont teaching license lapses, the Vermont Agency of Education requires renewal before an educator can return to the classroom. The requirements differ for Level I and Level II license holders.
Level I Teachers
Level I licenses are valid for three years. Educators who have not yet advanced to Level II may renew under the applicable Level I renewal requirements. Teachers currently working in a Vermont school renew through their local or regional standards board. Teachers who aren’t currently employed in a Vermont school renew directly with the Agency of Education and must document professional growth: three professional development credits for each endorsement area, with each credit equal to 15 clock hours of an approved activity. Teachers moving to Vermont from another state may qualify through Vermont Teacher Reciprocity Agreements instead of standard renewal.
Candidates can review the full list of approved professional development activities here, then confirm completed credits using the verification worksheet.
Level II Teachers
Level II licenses run for five years. Renewal requires an Individual Professional Development Plan that lays out three specific goals tied to the teacher’s career and classroom practice. Level II holders need six professional development credits total, with at least two credits focused directly on their endorsement area. The remaining credits can apply to Vermont’s Core Teaching and Leadership Standards. Activities that qualify for credit may be found here.
Reinstatement of Certification
Teachers who let their licenses lapse must apply for reinstatement rather than standard renewal.
Applicants should follow the Agency’s reinstatement instructions, which may include requirements for criminal history record checks where applicable. Full requirements are available on the reinstatement application page.
Candidates handle most renewal and reinstatement steps through the ALiS online licensing portal. Paper applications, documentation, and the required application fee can be sent to:
Vermont Agency of EducationOffice of Licensing and Professional Standards
120 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05620-2501
For questions about teacher license renewal in Vermont, contact the Agency of Education at 802-828-6543.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How often do Vermont teachers need to renew their license?
Level I licenses renew every three years. Level II licenses renew every five years. Both renewal types run through Vermont’s ALiS online licensing system.
What happens if a Vermont teaching license expires?
A lapsed license requires reinstatement rather than simple renewal. Reinstatement follows the Agency’s reinstatement instructions, which may include requirements for a criminal history record check where applicable.
How many professional development credits does Vermont require for renewal?
Level I renewal requires three credits per endorsement area. Level II renewal requires six credits, with at least two tied directly to the endorsement being renewed.
Who handles license renewal for teachers not currently working in a Vermont school?
Teachers who aren’t currently employed in a Vermont school renew directly with the Vermont Agency of Education rather than through a local school district’s standards board.
Where do Vermont teachers submit renewal or reinstatement paperwork?
Most renewal and reinstatement steps run through the ALiS online licensing portal. The Agency of Education’s Office of Licensing and Professional Standards in Montpelier handles paper submissions.
- Renewal cycles differ by license level — Level I renews every three years, Level II every five.
- Credit requirements scale with license level — Level I requires three professional development credits per endorsement; Level II requires six, with at least two tied to the endorsement itself.
- Lapsed licenses need reinstatement, not renewal — reinstatement follows the Agency’s own instructions, which may include background-check requirements where applicable.
- The Agency of Education runs the process online — most renewal and reinstatement steps go through the ALiS portal rather than by mail.
- Teachers outside a Vermont school renew directly with the state — without a Vermont school employer, renewal goes through the Agency of Education instead of a local district.
Find accredited teacher certification programs in Vermont, including options to add endorsements or upgrade your license during renewal.
