Nevada Teacher Certification Renewal
Nevada teachers renew a Standard or Professional Educator License through the OPAL system up to nine months before it expires, completing either 90 clock hours of continuing education or six semester credits earned any time during the licensure period. Retirees with 15 combined years of Nevada teaching service can skip continuing education entirely. An expired license requires a new application, fingerprinting, and the licensure fee.
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Learn how to renew a Nevada Professional Educator License or reinstate one that has expired. Nevada’s renewal system runs through OPAL, the same online portal used for initial licensure, and the requirements differ depending on when your license was issued and whether it’s still active. If you’re just getting started, visit our Nevada teacher certification hub instead, or check our guide to Nevada teacher reciprocity agreements if you’re licensed in another state.
Teaching Certification Renewal
Nevada educators renew a Standard or Professional license through OPAL, the Nevada Department of Education’s online licensure system. You can submit a renewal application up to nine months before your current license expires.
Renewal requirements changed as of September 16, 2024. Under the current rule, you need 90 clock hours of continuing education, 6 semester credits, or a combination of the two, earned at any point during your licensure period. A clock hour runs 60 minutes, and employer-provided professional development counts, including hours earned during the contract day. If your license was issued before September 16, 2024, the older rule still applies: 15 clock hours per year, earned any time during the licensure period.
Retirees get a break from this requirement. Under NAC 391.073, a Retiree License holder, or anyone who submits a letter from the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System (or from an employer confirming retired status) along with a completed Verification of Experience form showing 15 combined years teaching in Nevada public, private, or charter schools, doesn’t need to complete any continuing education credits to renew.
Special license types carry their own renewal conditions. School nurses must submit proof of current licensure from the State Board of Nursing. School mental health professionals need proof of licensure from the relevant state licensing board. School social workers must show current licensure from the Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers.
Every applicant, regardless of license type, needs a criminal background check under NRS 391.033. This background check is separate from any background check your employer runs. Skipping the NDE background check results in license denial, and you’ll have to reapply and pay the fees again.
For questions the FAQ doesn’t cover, email is the fastest way to reach the Office of Educator Licensure at [email protected]; expect a response within five business days. You can also call the Carson City office at 775-687-9115 or the Las Vegas office at 702-486-6458, or visit either location Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., no appointment needed: 700 E. Fifth Street, Carson City, NV 89701, or 2080 E. Flamingo Road, Suite 210, Las Vegas, NV 89119. Full renewal instructions are available through the Nevada DOE Licensure Renewals page.
Reinstatement of Certification
If your Nevada educator license has expired, you can’t simply renew it. You have to reapply for licensure from the start. That means submitting a new application through OPAL, along with a signed fingerprint card (or having your prints taken electronically through an approved Livescan vendor) and paying the licensure fee at the time of application.
What you submit next depends on what kind of license expired. If it was a Standard or Professional license, you’ll need to show proof of the same 6 semester credits or 90 professional development hours required for an active renewal. If it was a Non-Renewable or Provisional license, you’ll instead need to submit test scores and transcripts through OPAL showing that any remaining provisions on that license have been satisfied.
If you’re adding an endorsement rather than reinstating an expired license, the process runs through your OPAL profile too. You’ll need original transcripts bearing your college or university seal (or electronic transcripts sent directly from the institution or a clearinghouse like eScript to [email protected]), competency testing scores if your new endorsement requires them, and verification of teaching or work experience where applicable.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance can I renew my Nevada teaching license?
You can submit a renewal application through OPAL up to nine months before your current license expires.
How many continuing education credits does Nevada require for license renewal?
As of September 16, 2024, you need 90 clock hours of continuing education, 6 semester credits, or a combination of both, earned any time during your licensure period. Licenses issued before that date follow the older 15-hours-per-year rule.
Do retired Nevada teachers have to complete continuing education to renew?
No. Under NAC 391.073, retirees with 15 combined years of Nevada teaching experience, or anyone holding a Retiree License, are exempt from the continuing education requirement.
What happens if my Nevada teaching license expires?
You must reapply for licensure through OPAL rather than simply renewing. This includes a new fingerprint card or Livescan, the licensure fee, and proof of your continuing education credits (if your expired license was Standard or Professional) or proof of satisfied provisions (if it was Non-Renewable or Provisional).
Does Nevada require a background check for license renewal?
Yes. Every applicant, including those renewing, needs a criminal background check under NRS 391.033, separate from any background check required by your employer.
- Renew up to nine months early — OPAL accepts renewal applications up to nine months before your current license expires.
- Requirements changed in 2024 — licenses issued on or after September 16, 2024 need 90 clock hours or 6 semester credits, or a combination. Older licenses still follow 15 hours per year.
- Retirees are exempt — 15 combined years of Nevada teaching service, verified through PERS or an employer letter, waives the continuing education requirement entirely.
- Expired licenses require reapplication, not renewal — expect a new fingerprint submission, the licensure fee, and proof of your continuing education or satisfied provisions.
- A background check applies every time — NRS 391.033 requires it for every applicant, renewal or otherwise.
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