Human Resources

Licensing Structure

Licensing is like a tree. The License is the trunk, the license area is the branch(es), and endorsements are the leaves. An educator can only hold 1 license, but can have multiple license areas, and many endorsements.

Example: Professionally licensed teacher, in the secondary area, who holds a math endorsement and a science endorsement.

I want to teach in Tooele School District. How do I get a teaching license if I did not graduate with a degree in education?

TCSD’s APPEL Program will provide the experiences, coursework, and support for the educator to earn a professional license in Elementary, Secondary, or CTE areas. Educators teach in the content area while working through the APPEL program.

*Please note: the Special Education license area is
not part of the TCSD APPEL program.

Steps

• Earn an Associate Educator License from the Utah State Board of Ed. (USBE). You must have a minimum of a university bachelor’s degree or industry certification (CTE only) in a specific area to be eligible for an Associate Educator License (AEL).
• Apply and be hired as a teacher of record at a TCSD school. Upload a copy of your AEL in job applications. Explore current job opportunities on our Applitrack site.
• Once you are hired, you will be accepted into TCSD’s APPEL program. After a transcript review, you will have an initial consultation with the APPEL director to review all program expectations and licensure requirements.
• Work for up to 3 years (on AEL) while completing all USBE professional licensure requirements including pedagogy and content competencies, clinical experiences, and assessments.
• Upon completion of all licensing requirements, candidates will be recommended to USBE for professional licensure.
• Continue working in TCSD with a professional license (renew every 5 years).

TCSD Partners with SLCC’s ‘Transition to Teaching’ program as well as SUU APPEL Courses  to meet pedagogy course requirements.

  For more information
  contact Krystal White
  kwhite@tooeleschools.org.

Professional licenses expire every 5 years. Licensing renewals can be done as soon as January 1st of the expiration year.

What You Need to Renew

• Renewal Guide
• 100 clock hours of Renewal Activities
  • Check your MIDAS account for re-licensure hours
  • Professional Learning such as coursework, conferences, district training, mentoring, coaching, institutes, etc.
  • Educator Collaboration such as PLCs, data dives/analysis, and team collaboration
  • Professional Service such as local/state/national government or association leadership
  • Alternate Learning Opportunities

*Note these are actual clock hours spent on activities. The old point system has been retired. If you have college or USBE credits, you translate that into how many clock hours you spent on that activity or class.

• Complete all checklist items on USIMS.

What If I Had a License, But It Expired Years Ago?

• Use the same Renewal Guide. However, you will follow the instructions for a “returning educator.”

• Most Questions can be answered by visiting USBE’s Licensing webpage.

• What is an associate educator license?
  • An associate educator license (AEL) is a temporary license awarded by the Utah State Board of Education. This 3-year temporary license allows a candidate to teach while completing an educator preparation program. Bachelor‘s degree is required for all license areas except CTE.
• Once I have obtained an AEL, what comes next?
  • After obtaining an AEL, candidates must complete an educator prep program to become professionally licensed. USBE does not award initial professional licenses without an educator prep program’s recommendation (such as a university program or a district’s APPEL program.) Candidates must complete all professional requirements within 3 years.
• I am in a university educator program, can I start teaching now?
  • If you are enrolled in a university program to obtain both a bachelor’s degree and a teaching license, you can begin teaching when all coursework, except student teaching, is complete.
• I have a professional license from another jurisdiction, how do I get a Utah license?
  • Out of State and International educators must apply to USBE for a License Equivalency Review
• I want to become a special education teacher, how do I get that license?
  • To become a SPED teacher, you must first get an Associate License specifically for SPED. A bachelor’s degree is required and you must be enrolled in an educator prep program through USBE or a university. It is illegal for TCSD to employ any educator in a SPED position without a state-issued license (AEL or Professional). This applies to any position that falls under SPED such as preschool SPED, SLT, SLP, Psychologists, etc. You can find the SPED AEL application here.
• What is an endorsement?
  • An endorsement is a credential in a specific subject or field. An educator can apply for as many endorsements as they like. Secondary teachers must have at least 1 endorsement and are only qualified to teach the subjects in which they hold an endorsement. The Elementary license area does not require an endorsement. However, there are several they can add to specialize their license as well.
• How do I get my fingerprints and background check done... do I have to?
  • TCSD offers fingerprinting for educators and volunteers. Please call and set an appointment 435-833-1900. Fees may apply. Background checks done by other employers or state/federal agencies cannot be shared with USBE and may not meet USBE requirements.
• I hold a teaching license in elementary, can I teach secondary?  

  • Professionally licensed teachers can add an area (such as secondary) to their license by working with their APPEL director to earn the appropriate endorsement and demonstrate competency in that area. 

• Additional Links:
  MIDAS
  CACTUS
  USIMS
  USBE Frequently Asked Questions 
  License Renewals