Initial Educator Certification
Missouri requires successful completion of a state-approved Educator Preparation Program to be eligible for initial educator certification. You can view a list of what Educator Preparation Programs are available at the University of Missouri here.
Following successful completion of an Educator Preparation Program, there are four primary steps needed to obtain initial educator certification in Missouri.
- You must pass the Missouri Praxis Assessment for the initial certification area for which you are eligible based upon your MU coursework.
- Double-check that your most recent fingerprint/background check is up to date. If you log in to your DESE profile and scroll down to the bottom, you can click on “fingerprints” to see your most recent submissions. Fingerprints expire after 12 months. If you need to renew your fingerprints, please follow this link.
- Submit your official MU transcript with your degree posted to DESE. Electronic transcripts are the quickest option and can be ordered through the National Student Clearinghouse.
- Log in to your user profile with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and create an application for the Initial Professional certification.
If you desire additional certifications, you will apply directly through DESE following receipt of your initial certification and passing of the additional content assessments.
Initial School Administrator, School Counselor or School Psychologist Certification
Missouri requires successful completion of a state-approved Educator Preparation Program for those seeking Administrator, School Counselor, or School Psychologist certifications. You can view a list of what Educator Preparation Programs are available at the University of Missouri here.
Following successful completion of the Educator Preparation Program, there are three primary steps needed to obtain school administrator, counselor, or psychologist certification in the state of Missouri.
- Pass the exam for the certification area(s) for which you are eligible based upon your MU coursework. Click here for more information.
- Have copies of all your official transcripts (including your undergraduate degree) with your degree posted sent to DESE Certification through the National Student Clearinghouse.
- Log in to your user profile with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and create an application for Initial Administrator or Initial Student Services certification. You should not submit this application until you have passed all content exams required for certification.
All individuals who are applying for initial certification for Principal/School Leader must pass both the content area exam (Praxis) and the performance assessment (MPEA).
Career Administrator Upgrade
If you already have certification in Missouri and are seeking a career upgrade, you should only contact our office if you are a school administrator. All other career upgrades are taken care of by your district and DESE.
If you are a school administrator seeking a career upgrade, you will need to send an official copy of your transcript (which includes your most recent EdS, EdD or PhD degree) to be sent to DESE Certification through the National Student Clearinghouse.
Check Certification Status
- Log into your DESE profile and enter the Educator Certification System through the Secure Access section to view your DESE Profile.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page and click the Application Status tab. This will display a listing of your current applications and provide information about your certification status.
- Click on the gray bars to view the status on your fingerprints, exam scores, and application information.
- Once your certification has been issued, you will be able to print a copy from your profile.
If your status says Pending Institution Verification:
If you have submitted your transcript to DESE and passed the content exam, this status indicates that your application is currently being processed by the Certification Officer.
Once your application has been approved by the Certification Officer, your status will change to Pending DESE Verification. If you are concerned about the receipt of any of your application materials, please contact the Certification Officer at 573-882-2184 or CEHDCert@missouri.edu.
Out-of-State Certification
A Missouri educator certification, in combination with a University of Missouri Educator Preparation Program, is typically recognized by most states as part of their transfer/reciprocity process. Please note that some states may have additional requirements specific to their state that are not met by the MU program or state content assessment (i.e. states may have different content assessments or require specific state-sponsored training).
When you are in the process of considering other state certification, feel free to email CEHDCert@missouri.edu for additional information. Current MU students can also schedule a meeting through MU Connect. The Certification Officer will be glad to assist you in the process of acquiring out-of-state certification.
*Note licensure/certification for administrators, counselors, and school psychologists may vary from the requirements mentioned above.
Copies of Certificates
DESE no longer mails paper copies of teaching certificates. Once your certification has been issued by DESE you will be able to print a copy from your online profile.
Duplicate and Returned Applications
If you submit multiple applications or the Certification Officer has questions concerning your certification application, you will receive an email alerting you that one or more of those applications have been returned to you.
This email will prompt you to log into the Educator Certification System. Scroll down and click on Application Status, where you will find a memo field which provides an explanation of why your application was returned.