If you hold a VALID CONTINUING ESA CERTIFICATE you have the following options:

• Maintain/Renew the Continuing ESA Certificate
• Apply for a Substitute Certificate

If your CONTINUING certificate has LAPSED you have the following options: Reinstate a Continuing ESA Certificate, Substitute Certificate, Transitional Certificate.

To maintain the validity of the continuing certificate, 150 approved clock hours of continuing education study and/or equivalent academic credit must be completed every five years.
or
In lieu of the above clock hours, present a copy of a valid certificate from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).

For clock hour provider information click here.

For details on the documents needed and process to obtain this certificate, please see the application.

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To reinstate a continuing certificate which has lapsed, 150 approved clock hours of continuing education study and/or equivalent academic credit must be completed within the five years prior to the date of application* for reinstatement.
or
In lieu of the above clock hours, present a copy of a valid certificate from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).

*For example, if the certificate lapsed on June 30, 2007 and the applicant doesn't apply for reinstatement until August 1, 2008, clock hours taken during July of 2003 may not be used for reinstatement purposes. For clock hour provider information click here.