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Every five years, it is time to renew that teaching license again. It seems like some rules are being more rigidly – perhaps absurdly – enforced each year. We have heard concerns from members, the Cherry Creek Human Resources Department, and the CEA Legal Department. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Make sure that you are tracking your license’s expiration date. At the bottom of your pay stub each month, the district shows the expiration date of your license. Pay attention and make sure you are getting the required number of credits in a timely fashion.
- Download your renewal packet from the CDE web site at least 6 months before your license expires.
- Order your official transcripts early enough so that they can arrive in plenty of time for renewing your license. Make sure that all the dates and credit hours are legible and occurred within the time of your current license.
- You must pay your application fee(s) online. CDE is no longer accepting personal checks.
- Carefully complete the packet. Follow the completion checklist on page 1 carefully. If your office manager is not a Notary, bring the parts of the Renewal packet that must be notarized to ESC Office of Human Resources. They can help you there.
- Fingerprinting is taking at least four months now. Get this done early. (If you are not sure whether you still need to do this, you can use the online status check.)
- Be honest about any court records even though you may believe it has been expunged. CEA has told us they are having to defend at least one teacher a week regarding prior legal issues — even ones that have not shown up in prior renewals. Members with questions on this point should call our office.
- Double check that everything is signed and completed correctly, and then, make a copy of everything to retain for your own records.
- If possible, hand deliver it to CDE so that you can get a dated receipt. If you cannot hand deliver it, try to use FedEx. If you only want to mail it using US Postal Service, make sure to mail it at least 5 months and 29 days ahead of the expiration. Do not use overnight US Mail.
- Use the online status check to track your info. (Many applicants say this is taking a long time to update.)
- When you receive an envelope from CDE, open it immediately and check it. Rejections are being sent in envelopes that look the same as approvals. Do not assume it was renewed.
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