EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Please visit the Michigan Department of Education website at this link https://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-5683_14795---,00.html for current information regarding educator certification.

MDE has recommended that all participants log into their MOECS account and update their personal information under the "Manage Demographics" tab.  You will not receive important reminders from OPPS regarding certificate renewal unless you have a valid email.  It is beneficial to use a personal email address as it is less likely to be changed.  www.michigan.gov/moecs

The Personal Identification Code (PIC) is required when obtaining SCECHS.  Information on locating the PIC (Personal Identification Code).

 

State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCHECH) 

                     Updated January 20, 2021

District Provided Professional Development Reporting Requirements - EFFECTIVE July 1, 2020 

District Provided Professional Development Reporting Process for Educators - EFFECTIVE July 1, 2020 

For DPPD earned prior to July 1, 2020

Education-Related Professional Development Credit for School Safety Training

School Counselor Professional Development Standards

School Administrator Certificate

Standard Teaching Certificate Renewal

Michigan Department of Education - 517-241-500 orMDE-EducatorHelp@michigan.gov

CERTIFICATE RENEWAL

The Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS) is a secure web based application.  Educators use MOECS to apply for certificates, renewals, duplicate certificates and pay certification fees using a credit card.  They also upload their District Provided Professional Development, or DPPD (earned prior to 7/1/2020).  MOECS also has a separate location on your account to record the college credits you have earned.  After you have entered MOECS and updated your profile, there will be a menu button that says "ADD COLLEGE CREDITS".  This also applies to DPPD.   

To renew a certificate, you need 150 SCECHs, 150 DPPD (earned prior to 7/1/2020) or 6 university credits or a combination (one university credit equals twenty five SCECHs).   You can only renew your certificate between January 1st and June 30th of the year it expires.  The website is www.michigan.gov/moecs.

IMPORTANT:  If you do not have the required number of SCECHs/Credits/DPPD, you will not be able to renew your certificate.

The Office of Professional Preparation Services (OPPS) no longer sends educator certificates.  Educators print out their own certificate from their MOECS account.    The certificate requires notarization and it's recommended that you print out additional copies, one for your Human Resources department and additional copies for your records.

ADVANCED PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION CERTIFICATE

The optional Advanced Professional Education Certificate is available starting January 1, 2017 and is valid for up to five years.

This certificate recognizes completion of an approved Teacher Leader Program or certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, as well as effective/highly effective annual evaluation ratings.

This certificate is intended to be an indication of an educator’s advanced skills and training in master teaching and/or teacher leadership.  However, school districts approach assignments and benefits associated with the certificate differently; therefore, you are encouraged to talk with your school and district leaders about your district’s approach.

Advanced Professional Education Certificate

Action Required to Ensure Your State Evaluation Data is Accurate

Educator Effective Appeals Within the Registry of Educational Personnel

Educator Evaluation Frequently Asked Questions

State Continuing Education Clock hours, or SCECHs, are used as an alternative to renewing an educator certificate.  SCECHs are now awarded through the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS) and an online evaluation is required. The website is www.michigan.gov/moecs

Individuals who hold the following certificates are eligible to use SCECHs for renewal:

  • Professional Education Certificate
  • Occupational Certificate
  • School Psychologist Certificate
  • School Counselor License
  • School Administrator
  • Standard Teaching Certificate (previously Provisional Certificate)

   (Social Workers in Michigan cannot use SCECHs for license renewal)

The above certificates require annual renewal every five years.  To renew, the participant must earn 150 SCECHs, 150 DPPD or 6 university credits or a combination (one university credit equals 25 SCECHs).

Once the SCECHS are uploaded, participants will receive an email directing them to the web address, www.michigan.gov/moecs to review their personal account and complete the evaluation.  After completion of the evaluation, SCECHs will be awarded and listed on an unofficial transcript.

Participants have 30 days after the program is uploaded to update the personal account and complete the evaluation before SCECHs are granted. 

The Office of Professional Preparation Services (OPPS) no longer sends educator certificates.  Educators print out their certificates from their MOECS account. The certificate requires notarization for validation. 

You can also like the Facebook page for updates at https://www.facebook.com/MIEducator

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT

For participants to earn State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs), they must attend the entire program as required by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE).  This means attending all sessions according to the approved schedule including arriving on time and remaining for the duration of each session.  The MDE and the Macomb ISD review all programs and monitor attendance.  Program planners determine the method for documenting attendance.  It is the responsibility of each participant that their attendance has been documented.  Failure to comply with program requirements, including attendance, will result in disallowance of SCECH credit.

CLARIFICATION OF ATTENDANCE PROCESS (12/2/2014) Letter from Ms. Leah Breen

Certificate holders should be aware that it is illegal to use fraudulent supporting documentation to renew or progress a certificate.  Specifically, Michigan Compiled Law (MCL) Section 380.1809 states:

In additional to any other penalty provided by law, a person who uses or attempts to use a teaching certificate (or school administrator's certificate) that he or she knows is surrendered, suspended, revoked, nullified, fraudulently obtained, altered, or forged, or who uses or attempts to use as his or her own valid teaching certificate that he or she knows is issued to another person, to obtain employment in a position requiring a valid teaching certificate or who remains employed in a position requiring a valid teaching certificate knowing that he or she does not hold a valid teaching certificate is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable as follows:

For the first offense, by imprisonment for not more than 93 days or a fine of not more than $500.00, or both.

For a second or subsequence offense, by imprisonment for not less than 93 days or more than 6 months, or a fine of not less than $500.00 or more than $1,000, or both.

MCL Section 380.1809 (5) also states:  "The state board may refuse to issue or renew a teaching certificate, school administrator's certificate, or state board approval, or refuse to issue an endorsement for a teaching certificate or school administrator's certificate, to a person convicted of a violation of this section."  MCL Section 388.994 transfers this authority to the superintendent of public instruction.

Renewed or progressed certificates that are issued to individuals based upon the submission of inaccurate, incomplete, or fraudulent documentation of coursework, experience, or continuing education are considered to be fraudulently obtained.

It is of the utmost importance that educators understand the requirements for renewing or progressing a certificate.  If, in the course of an audit, there is suspicion that the certificate has been obtained using questionable or fraudulent documentation, OPPS will initiate an investigation into the matter.