Continuing Education and Relicensure Organization (CERO)

Kalin Farrell
651-403-7827| kalin.farrell @isd197.org

Elizabeth Dunham
651-403-8062

Angela Corbett
651-403-7766

Kim Zellmer
651-403-7034| kimberly.zellmer @isd197.org

Kristin Quinn
651-403-7672

The Continuing Education/Relicensure Rule directs that a local committee be established in each Minnesota public school district to determine the number of clock hours to be granted for experiences, to act upon requests for recommendation for renewal of the continuing licenses by determining whether the applicant has met the requirements, to verify one year of teaching experience for persons on an entrance license, and to provide information to appropriate personnel concerning the in-service needs of the district.

To achieve these goals, be it resolved that Independent School District 197 Continuing Education/Relicensure Committee be established in accordance with the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board Continuing Education/Relicensure Rule.

The 2025-26 school year meeting dates are: Oct 30, Nov 20, Dec 18, Jan 29, Feb 26, March 19, April 30, May 28.

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Mandatory License Renewal Requirements

RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS
All teachers are required to earn 125 continuing education clock hours within the 5-year license period. This must be completed prior to renewing a teaching license.

As of July 1, 2023, there are EIGHT mandatory requirements. You must have at least 1 clock hour in each of the following areas:

Cultural Competency
American Indian History and Culture
Positive Behavior Intervention
Accommodation, Modification and Adaptation of Curriculum, Materials and Instruction
Reading Instruction
Early Identification of Mental Health Issues
Suicide Prevention
English Language Learners.

To learn more about the specific requirements, view this resource from PELSB - Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board.

LICENSED STAFF
Professional Learning is the program District 197 licensed staff should use to track all clock hours.

Recording your hours:
Staff DO NOT need to record District 197's staff development — All district staff development days, workshops, training academies and curriculum development will be recorded in Professional Learning by the Curriculum department and your District Staff Development Committee (DSDAC) building representative.

Staff DO need to record external staff development — You will need to record in Professional Learning any staff development opportunities outside of the district, including college classes and conferences. You will then have to submit a verification form (transcripts, certificate of attendance) to the CERO committee for review. The committee will process your hours at their next scheduled meeting.

TIPS

Be sure to sign attendance sheets at district workshops
Check your Professional Learning record regularly. Contact the Curriculum Office with discrepancies.
Renew your license as early as possible.
Keep your original verification — submit a copy.

How to submit external credit requests

Ready to renew

You can renew your license after Jan. 1 of the year your license expires once you have met all the criteria on Professional Learning. The committee recommends you renew as soon as possible.

When you have enough hours to renew your license you will submit the READY TO RENEW form to let the committee know you are ready. See the video below on how to submit this form.

When your READY TO RENEW form is approved, the CERO Committee will submit your hours to the licensing board. You will need to log in to https://mn.gov/pelsb/current-educators/renew/ and complete the renewal process prior to your license expiration date.

For renewing your license, you will need your file folder number and the first six digits from the serial number on your license.