Educational Psychology
Self-paced online Educational Psychology course (Psychology 120). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
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Renewing an Idaho teaching license when you are not in a classroom
By the team. Checked 15 Nov 2026.
The short answer
To renew an Idaho teaching license when you are not teaching in a classroom, you still need 6 semester credits in the 5-year validity period under IDAPA 08.02.02.060. In-service hours must be approved by a local education agency, so if no LEA employs you, plan on college credit for all 6. Credit must be on a transcript from an accredited college and tie to your content, endorsement or teaching practice.
Why being out of the classroom changes the plan
Most Idaho teachers renew with a mix of in-service and college credit. The rule says equivalent in-service training must be approved by the local education agency, and the Department's renewal page talks about Idaho district, charter school and private school in-service with a signed form. If you are on a career break, working outside education, or teaching in another state, you may have no LEA to approve in-service. That leaves college credit as the reliable route.
The rule itself does not change: 6 semester credits, at least 3 transcripted, earned inside the validity period.
Choosing courses that fit the relevance rule
Credits must relate to your individualised professional learning plan or your professional practice. Out of the classroom, the clearest fits are courses tied to your content area or endorsement, or to pedagogy.
- Content: a course in the subject on your endorsement
- Pedagogy: educational psychology, classroom diversity
- Student support: abnormal psychology for special education or counselling contexts
- Research: research methods, for data-informed practice
Deadlines when you are away
The window is the same for everyone: apply from 1 January of the year your certificate expires to 31 August. The Department does not grant extensions, and a lapsed certificate needs reinstatement. Set a reminder a year ahead so courses are finished before the window opens.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 18 months before expiry | Pick courses and ask the Department in writing |
| 12 months before | Start the first course |
| 6 months before | Finish courses; request transcripts |
| 1 January to 31 August of expiry year | Apply with transcripts and the $75 fee |
Where UPI Study fits
UPI Study courses are self-paced and online, so they work from anywhere. They are ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended and reach a college via a college transcript. Idaho asks for credit transcripted and completed through an accredited college or university; UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited, so ask the Department in writing whether the transcript you plan to send meets that rule before you enrol.
TESU, UoPeople and Newlane are partner colleges that consider ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit; ask the Department about their transcripts too.
If you are returning to teach
If you expect to return to an Idaho school before the certificate expires, ask the new district whether in-service you complete there can count for the current period. Any credits you earn now still count if they are inside the validity period. Keep every transcript and form so you can show the dates.
Questions to put in writing
Send one email to Educator Certification and keep the reply.
- I am not employed by an Idaho LEA; must all 6 credits be college credit?
- Does a transcript from this college meet the accredited-institution rule?
- Does this course fit the content, endorsement or pedagogy strand for my certificate?
What to ask in writing
Before you enrol
Ask the Idaho State Department of Education's Educator Certification office in writing whether the transcript you plan to send meets the renewal rule, and ask your district in writing that the course fits your plan, before you enrol.
UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited. ACE and NCCRS review our courses and recommend credit; a college decides whether to give that credit and records it on its own transcript.
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.
Questions people ask
Can my certificate just lapse and be renewed later?
A lapsed certificate needs a reinstatement application rather than a renewal, and the Department does not grant extensions. It is usually simpler to finish the 6 credits and apply between 1 January and 31 August of the expiry year.
Do I need a district to sign anything if I only use college credit?
In-service needs LEA approval; college credit is verified by transcript. Ask the Department whether anything else is needed for your case, such as a statement linking the course to your professional practice.
Can I renew while teaching in another state?
Yes, the same rule applies: 6 credits in the validity period, at least 3 on a transcript from an accredited college. In-service from another state's school counts only if Idaho's rules allow it, so ask the Department first.
Courses that fit
ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended courses, studied online at your own pace.
Abnormal Psychology
Self-paced online Abnormal Psychology course (Psychology 180). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
Research Methods in Psychology
Self-paced online Research Methods in Psychology course (Psychology 111). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →Start when you have it in writing
Educational Psychology and Psychology of Diversity are on PRO. Confirm with Idaho Educator Certification first.
Sources
- IDAPA 08.02.02 Rules Governing Uniformity, section 060: Application Procedures / Professional Development (official)6 semester credits or equivalent PD within the 5-year validity period; graduate or undergraduate credit; transcripted and completed through a college or university accredited by an entity recognised by the State Board; at least 3 semester credits postsecondary on transcript; credits tied to content area or endorsement, pedagogy or leadership, or an LEA-designated need, and taken during the validity period; in-service must be LEA-approved, 15 contact hours = 1 credit; no carry-over. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- Idaho State Department of Education: Renewal of an Idaho certificate (official)Up to 3 of the 6 credits from Idaho district, charter or private school in-service with a signed form; 15 hours = 1 credit; 3 quarter credits = 2 semester credits; $75 non-refundable fee plus $3.25 online fee; apply from 1 January to 31 August of the expiry year; no extensions. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.