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Certification - Current & Future Educators

Welcome to our redesigned certification page! Find the statement below that best describes you and use the links to navigate to the appropriate page.

NEW Certification Regulations 2019

Videos - Click here to view the YouTube playlist of brief videos organized by topic that explain the certification changes in greater detail.
Frequently Asked Questions - RIDE has answered some of the most common questions in this document.
Professional Learning Units Guidance - Read more about Professional Learning Units. This document is geared especially towards educators whose certificates expire in 2020.
Overview of changes to certification regulations: This covers all the important details about the certification regulation promulgated in December 2018.
PowerPoint with Notes - This PowerPoint presentation has detailed notes to accompany the slides.
Regulations - This document contains the full text of the regulations promulgated December 4, 2018.

statement	LinkS
I want to access my current Rhode Island certification OR I need to renew my current certification in eCert.	RIDEmap eCert brochure Certification Renewal and Progression
I am looking for certification requirements OR I am ready to apply for a certification.	Certification Requirements and Applications
I want to learn more about different ways to become certified in Rhode Island.	Paths to Certification
I want to know which educator preparation programs are approved in Rhode Island and want to know about educator preparation program performance.	RI Educator Preparation Programs
I want to verify the credentials of Rhode Island teachers, administrators, and support professionals.	Public Educator Verification Portal
I want to access relevant reports about preparation and certification in Rhode Island.	Educator Preparation Index Emergency Certificates Annual Report Newly Certified Educators Report

Have additional questions?

Email us at eqac@ride.ri.gov.
Call us at (401) 222-8893 between 1:00 - 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
Visit us at 255 Westminster Street (or 80 Washington Street), 4th Floor, Providence, RI 02903 between 1:00 - 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

Updates
Processing

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and Highly Qualified

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama in December 2015. As the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), this law prioritizes excellence and equity for all students and educators. The law eliminates the requirements for "highly qualified teacher" and focuses instead on appropriately certified teachers.

Beginning October 2016, RIDE will no longer determine a teacher's highly qualified status and will eliminate the highly qualified designation on all certificates and public portals. Educators will be able to view historical information in their eCert accounts. All Rhode Island teachers must continue to meet RI state qualifications and certification criteria.

Complete applications are processed more quickly than incomplete applications. Application processing takes fourteen to sixteen weeks.

There are four ways of processing Rhode Island certificate applications. Details for first issuance, renewal, progression, and reinstatement are below.

1st ISSUANCE	RENEWAL	PROGRESSION	REINSTATEMENT
Educator has never held the certificate and is seeking a new certificate.	Educator holds a current certificate area and is seeking the same type or area.	Educator holds a current certificate and has demonstrated acceptable performance in RI public schools.	Educator held a certificate and allowed the certificate to expire.

Applicants who do not receive their requested certificate are issued a status form via MyeCert on RIDEmap explaining requirements that were not met, and provided a ninety day window to meet requirements communicated without incurring new fees. The eCert Guide provides more information about online certification system.