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!! RIDE Certification Office Opens for Appointments

Our Information Specialists in the Certification Office will be available for telephone and appointments weekdays from 1pm-4pm. Please visit the Certification Support Booking Calendar to schedule an appointment.

Please note that if you have questions regarding a notice you received connected to your certification application, you must reach out directly to the Education Specialist who reviewed your application and issued the notice, as this system does not make appointments with Education Specialists. For technical issues with the My eCert portal, please submit a ticket at: https://support.ride.ri.gov

Processing times:

At this time, application processing times are eight to ten weeks. The certification office sincerely thanks you for your patience.

Relevant Links:

STATEMENT

LINKS

I want to access my current Rhode Island certification OR I need to renew my current certification in eCert.

My eCert on Portal

I am looking for certification/renewal requirements OR I am ready to apply for a certification.

Certification Issuance and Renewal - Requirements and Applications

I want to learn more about different ways to become certified in Rhode Island.

Paths to Certification

NEW!! I want to know more about Fast Track Building Administrator certificates

Fast Track Building Administrator

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 NEW!

Emergency Certificates Annual Report NEW!

Expert Residency Certificates Report NEW!

Have additional questions?

  • Email us at eqac@ride.ri.gov.
  • Call us at (401) 222-4600 between 1:00 - 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

Certification Regulations 2020

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.

Background:

Rhode Island General Laws § 28-5.1-14 as amended by 2020 PL, ch. 071 enacted 7/22/2020 Fair Chance prohibits a state agency from disqualifying a license/registration/permit applicant from occupation, trade, vocation, profession and business licensing, solely or in part, based upon a criminal conviction absent a determination that the conviction substantially relates to the occupation for which the applicant applied. The Fair Chance disqualification prohibition is broad in that it applies to persons and any occupation, trade, vocation, profession, or business for which an occupational license, permit, certificate, or registration is required. See RIGL § 28-5.1-14(d). Fair Chance also requires annual reporting by state agencies with respect to every occupational license, permit, or certificate under their jurisdiction. See RIGL § 28-5.1-14(l)

Reporting Period: January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023