Approved Semester Credits for Washington D.C. license renewal

Credit Courses for Washington D.C. Teacher License Renewal

Affordable, fully accredited, online semester credits for Washington D.C. license renewal. Take our PD courses or university-partnered courses.

  • Hundreds of D.C. teachers have used Model Teaching courses to renew their teaching license, advance their salaries, or improve their instructional effectiveness.

  • Learn more below about Washington D.C. license renewal requirements and how our courses can help.

D.C. teacher license renewal
Home » PD Requirements By State » Washington DC Teacher License Renewal

Professional Development Courses for Washington D.C. Teachers

Straightforward and useful online courses for D.C. teachers. Enhance your instruction, fulfill certification needs, and accelerate your professional growth.

  • Easy, Template-Based Course Format Built to Help You Renew Your D.C. Teaching License Quickly

  • High-Quality Courses, Full of Resources, Tools, & Templates

  • Access Your Courses Immediately, Any-Time, Anywhere & at Your Own Pace
Pay for Credits As You Go

Accredited Semester Credits

You can earn the clock hours or semester credits you need to renew your Washington, DC educator credential with Model Teaching. Our courses are designed by experienced educators to align with OSSE focus areas and provide practical, classroom-ready strategies and tools.

Washington D.C. Educator Credential Renewal Requirements

The District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) issues standard teaching credentials that are valid for four years. To renew, educators may choose from three options:

Option 1 :  Professional Learning Units Complete the equivalent of 120 clock hours or 8 semester credit hours (or a combination of both) within the four-year term of the credential being renewed.

  • A minimum of 60 clock hours (or 4 semester credits) must be directly related to the content area of the credential being renewed.
  • The remaining 60 hours may align with any of the OSSE professional development focus areas listed below.

Option 2 – Performance Ratings Submit performance ratings of “effective” or better for three of the four-year renewal term if you are currently teaching.

Option 3 – Praxis Subject Content Exam: Submit passing scores on the current Praxis Subject Assessment corresponding to your credential area within 12 months of the test.

Model Teaching can help you meet your option 1 requirements by offering low-cost PD courses.  Or, if you’d like to earn semester credits, you can choose a credit course option instead.

Acceptable Credits and Clock Hours

Washington DC accepts both clock hours and semester credits toward credential renewal:

  • 1 semester credit = 15 clock hours = 15 PLUs
  • 120 clock hours = 8 semester credits

Hours may be accrued by completion of college coursework or completion of training activities delivered by the employing local education agency, national education organizations, related industry organizations, and/or professional development provider organizations.

To demonstrate completion of PD training activities not completed through a college or university, you must submit an official training activity transcript or official certificate of completion issued by the training organization. Model Teaching provides a signed certificate of completion with every PD course, including our organization name, course title, course description, dates, your name, total clock hours, and an official signature, ensuring that our certificate meets the OSSE ( Office of the State Superintendent of Education) requirements.

For college coursework, official transcripts bearing the signature or stamp of the institution registrar are required. Model Teaching graduate-level courses include an official transcript from the partnering university, if you choose to instead take credit- level courses.

How Our Courses Work

Quick FAQs

All Model Teaching university partners are regionally-accredited universities that offer our courses in partnership for graduate-level, academic, and/or post-baccalaureate credit. Washington D.C. accepts Model Teaching credit courses with each credit equaling 15 Clock Hours. Also, most states and school districts allow teachers to earn this type of credit toward salary scale advancement. Please check your district’s policies on continuing education for salary advancement before enrolling. Our Professional Development Clock Hour courses may also be used.

We recommend choosing any of our regionally-accredited university-partnered courses, PD courses, or course bundle packs. If you would like to obtain a transcript with your courses, we recommend taking our university partner courses.  For simple clock hours, you may take our regular PD courses.

We highly recommend any of our Build Your Own Bundle packages, as this is the most cost-effective way to earn credits in bulk.

The most cost-effective way to earn credits is by enrolling in one of our course bundle packs (see below).

Model Teaching believes that teachers should be provided with affordable, high-quality opportunities for professional development, whether they are seeking salary advancement, renewing their teaching license, or simply improving their instructional effectiveness.  Our streamlined, standardized course structure enables us to deliver high-quality, evaluated courses to teachers at costs far below the industry standard.  Additionally, by bundling our courses, we can significantly reduce our overall costs—passing these savings on to our valued teachers.  LiveChat with us if you have any questions about how the courses work.

Once you have completed your courses and processed your credits, our university partner will notify you via email that your transcripts are ready, and you may request them. When requesting them, you can choose to have the transcripts sent directly to the OSSE, to yourself, or both. Note, only our university-partnered courses will provide an official transcript. Our regular professional development courses will provide a certificate of completion.

Please refer to our course menu for a listing of graduate-level courses. Within each course page, you will have access to a syllabus that you may download.

To read a live list of running reviews from teachers currently taking our courses, please visit: https://www.modelteaching.com/latest-course-reviews

OSSE Guidance for Professional Learning Activities

OSSE does not pre-approve professional learning activities or providers for K-12 and adult educators for the purposes of educator credential renewal. However, OSSE does require that the content of all professional learning activities accepted for credential renewal align with one or more of the following focus areas. You can click on a focus area below to view a few example courses aligned with each area. Many Model Teaching courses also meet multiple focus area requirements. Please note that these course recommendations are not a comprehensive list.

  1. Increases content knowledge and competence in the specific subject area of the credential

Example Model Teaching Courses:

  • Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER) in The Science Classroom
  • Planning for Lab Investigations in the Science Classroom
  • Checking For Understanding & Correcting Misconceptions in Elementary Math
  • Math Stations for PreK–2nd Grade
  • Building Reading & Writing Fluency
  • Expository Writing & Embedded Grammar Instruction
  • What is the Science of Reading? An Overview
  • Explicit Instruction in Elementary Reading
  1. Increases effective instruction and methodologies

Example Model Teaching Courses:

  • Strategies to Check for Understanding
  • Planning for Instructional Strategies & Learning Activities
  • Collaborative Learning Models in the Classroom
  • Academic Discussions in the Classroom
  • Inquiry-Based Learning: Using Inquiry as a Teaching Strategy
  • Project-Based Learning
  • Flipped Learning: An Effective At-Home & In-Class Instructional Model
  1. Increases school leadership strategies and skills

Example Model Teaching Courses:

  • A Review of Boundaries, Communication, and Professionalism in the Classroom
  • Maintaining and Improving Professionalism on Campus
  • Professionalism Through Positive Personality
  • Maintaining Appropriate Teacher–Student Boundaries
  • Practical Action Research in the Classroom
  1. Increases knowledge of curriculum and standards

Example Model Teaching Courses:

  • A Guide to Bloom’s Taxonomy: Understanding Cognitive Thinking
  • A Guide to Webb’s DOK: Understanding Rigor
  • Writing Effective Learning Objectives
  1. Increases knowledge of educational initiatives and goals

Example  Model Teaching Courses:

  • What is the Science of Reading? An Overview
  • Practical Action Research in the Classroom
  • Applying Developmental Theories to Teaching Practice
  • Addressing Learning Loss – [Course Bundle Pack]
  • Understanding Students At Risk of Dropping Out
  1. Improves school, community, and family engagement

Example Model Teaching Courses:

  • Encouraging Family Engagement
  • A Review of Boundaries, Communication, and Professionalism in the Classroom
  • Maintaining Appropriate Teacher–Student Boundaries
  1. Increases knowledge of educational best practices and trends

Example Model Teaching Courses:

  •  Universal Design for Learning
  • Strategies to Support Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
  • Differentiation for Students with Disabilities
  • Student Engagement in the Classroom
  • Providing Actionable Feedback to Students
  • Student-Led Classroom Management
  1. Increases knowledge of resources and services for schools

Recommended Model Teaching Courses:

  • A Look Into Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
  • Understanding and Managing the Behaviors of Students with Special Needs
  • How to Create a Structured and Predictable Environment for Students with Autism
  • Understanding and Supporting Students with ADHD
  • Understanding and Supporting Students with Dyslexia
  • Understanding Students At Risk of Dropping Out
  • Trauma-Informed Teaching Strategies for Grades 6–12
  • Trauma-Informed Teaching Strategies for PreK–5th Grade
  1. Increases strategies and skills for meeting the needs of diverse learners

Recommended Model Teaching Courses:

  • Differentiation for Students with Disabilities
  • Designing IEP Goals
  • A Growth Mindset in the Gifted Classroom
  • Peer Tutoring for English Language Learners
  • Simple ELL Vocabulary Strategies
  • Trauma-Informed Teaching Strategies for Grades 6–12
  • Trauma-Informed Teaching Strategies for PreK–5th Grade
  • Educating Diverse Student Populations in Your Classroom
  1. Increases strategies and skills for effectively using educational technology

Recommended Model Teaching Courses:

  • AI for Teachers: Increasing Productivity & Improving Instruction
  • AI for Students: Ensuring Appropriate & Effective Use
  • Flipped Learning: An Effective At-Home & In-Class Instructional Model
  • Transforming Traditional Lessons to Online Learning
  • Simple Assessment Tools & Ideas to Support Online Learning

 

OSSE also provides guidance that effective professional learning activities should align with the principles of adult learning theory and the definition of professional learning in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). According to OSSE, high-quality professional learning should:

  • Provide a content focus
  • Incorporate active learning
  • Support collaboration
  • Use models of effective practice
  • Provide coaching and expert support
  • Offer feedback and reflection
  • Be of sustained duration

All Model Teaching courses are designed to align with these principles, incorporating active learning strategies, content-specific focus areas, built-in reflection, and practical tools and templates for immediate classroom implementation.

Important Terminology:

Semester Credits = Graduate-Level Semester Credits/Hours. 1 credit = 15 clock hours.

How to Apply for Renewal

Complete your Model Teaching courses to earn your certificate/ transcript. Washington DC educators then apply for credential renewal through the OSSE Educator Credentialing Information System (ECIS). Applications should be submitted within 150 days of the credential’s expiration date. The application fee is $50 per credential.

For questions about credential renewal, contact OSSE Educator Credentialing at OSSE.Asklicensure@dc.gov or (202) 741-5881.

For the most current information, visit: https://osse.dc.gov/page/credential-renewal

What We Recommend For Washington D.C. Teachers

Build Your Own PD Bundle

Access Our Full Course Menu to Earn Your Required Number of Clock Hours

  • Purchase Your Course Bundle & Pick Any Courses From Our Full Course Menu

  • Great For License Renewal & Instructional Improvement

  • Access Your Courses For 1 Full Year & Work At Your Own Pace

  • Great for teachers currently teaching, as well as teachers not teaching but wishing to maintain their current license

  • For all 120 Clock Hours, use our 120 PD hour Bundle Here>

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Salary Advancement Courses For Washington D.C. Teachers

Model Teaching partners with regionally-accredited universities across the country to provide graduate-level courses to thousands of K-12 teachers and educators every year. Generally, school districts across the country provide various salary scale advancement opportunities to teachers that often includes participation in graduate-level professional development. Our university-partnered, graduate-level courses are an excellent and cost-effective way for you to earn the continuing education academic credit you need.

Salary Advancement Credits

Accredited University Credits with Official Transcripts

Receive an official transcript and letter-grade with every graduate-level course. All of our university partners are regionally-accredited and courses are designed primarily for teacher salary-advancement and license-renewal.

Convenient & Cost-Effective Online Courses Built for Simplicity

We make earning your academic credits easy and cost-effective by bundling our courses into packages so you can earn the maximum number of credits for a lower cost.  All Model Teaching courses provide you with relevant, implementation-focused training along with dozens of templates & tools to help you put your new skills into action.

All Model Teaching university partners are regionally-accredited universities who offer our courses in partnership for graduate-level, academic and/or post-baccalaureate credit.  Most states and school districts allow teachers to earn this type of credit as part of advancing in the salary scale.  Please check with your district’s policies regarding continuing education for salary advancement prior to enrolling.

The most cost-effective way to earn credits is by enrolling in one of our course bundle packs.

Please refer to our course menu for a listing of graduate-level courses. Within each course page, you will have access to a syllabus that you may download.

Yes, all university-partnered graduate-level courses will include access to an official transcript from the university.

Yes! You may apply up to 9 credits towards an M.Ed. program through our university partner, Augustana University. Read more here >

To read a live list of running reviews from teachers currently taking our courses, please visit: https://www.modelteaching.com/latest-course-reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Washington DC teacher credential renewal — requirements, clock hours, and how to get started

DC Standard teaching credentials are valid for four years. To renew under Option 1, you need the equivalent of 120 clock hours of professional development completed during your four-year credential term. That's 120 actual clock hours, 8 semester credit hours, or a combination of both — since 1 semester credit equals 15 clock hours. At least 60 of your 120 hours must directly relate to the subject area of the credential you're renewing.
OSSE offers three renewal pathways. Option 1 covers 120 clock hours (or 8 semester credits) of PD, with at least 60 hours in your content area. Option 2 lets DCPS teachers renew based on satisfactory IMPACT performance ratings — you need effective ratings for at least three of the four credential years. Option 3 allows renewal by submitting passing Praxis Subject Assessment scores for your credential area. You choose one option per credential; pathways can't be combined.
No. OSSE does not pre-approve professional learning activities or providers for credential renewal. Instead, all PD content must align with one or more of OSSE's approved focus areas. Before enrolling, check that the course description clearly fits one of those areas — such as content knowledge, effective instruction, curriculum and standards, or supporting diverse learners. Model Teaching courses are designed to align with these focus areas.
It depends on how you earned your hours. For college coursework, you need an official transcript with the registrar's signature or stamp, and a grade of C or higher. For non-college PD, you need an official training activity transcript or certificate of completion from the training organization. Model Teaching provides a signed certificate with every PD course — covering the organization name, course title, description, dates, your name, total clock hours, and an official signature — meeting OSSE's documentation requirements.
Submit through OSSE's Educator Credential Information System (ECIS) at osse.dc.gov/ed-credentials. Applications must be submitted within 150 days of your credential's expiration date — submitting too early means rejection and loss of the fee. The fee is $50 per credential area. Questions? Contact OSSE at OSSE.Asklicensure@dc.gov or (202) 741-5881.
OSSE doesn't grant extensions on expired credentials. You can reinstate an expired credential by meeting any one of the three renewal pathways — the same options used for active renewal. Submit your reinstatement through ECIS with the required documentation and $50 fee. Plan ahead to avoid any gap in your credential status.
Yes. Model Teaching offers two paths for DC renewal. Our PD clock hour courses come with a signed certificate of completion that meets OSSE's documentation requirements. Our university-partnered credit courses provide graduate-level semester credits with an official transcript — 1 credit equals 15 clock hours, so 8 credits covers the full 120-hour requirement. Topics include classroom management, special education, reading instruction, ELL strategies, and assessment, all aligned with OSSE's approved focus areas.
In most cases, yes. Many DC school districts and charter networks offer salary scale advancement for teachers who complete graduate-level professional development. Model Teaching's university-partnered courses are graduate-level and include an official transcript with a letter grade — what most districts require. Check with your HR department about specific salary advancement policies before enrolling.
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