Preliminary Teaching License Instructions

Version 04/2024

Preliminary Teaching License Application Instructions

STEP 1—Congratulations

Begin the licensing process as soon as you either receive the “Congratulations, you are now eligible to apply for your license…” email from Lewis & Clark licensure staff or you see the Program Completion Report (PCR) from Lewis & Clark in your TSPC eLicensing account under “Documents.”

If you apply for your license before you receive the email or can view the PCR, your license application may be denied by TSPC requiring you to reapply. 

• The “Congratulations, you are now eligible to apply for your license…” emails are typically sent no earlier than the first week of July for the elementary program and the second week of July for the secondary program; in early January for fall completers.
• You will receive a separate email from the graduate registrar’s office when your degree posts. This email is NOT the same as the “Congratulations, you are now eligible to apply for your license…” email.

STEP 2—Application to TSPC 

Complete an eLicensing application with TSPC, including paying the required fees.

Application Fees and Reimbursements

• As of April 2022, the application fees should be $182 for the “Evaluation In State,” $10 for a “Portal Provider Fee,” and $5 for a “Licensure System Fee” for a total charge of $197. Follow the instructions in the red box if the fees appear otherwise.
• TSPC’s Diversity License Expense Reimbursement Program

Background Check

• As part of the application process to TSPC, TSPC staff will conduct a background check including: A Law Enforcement Data Systems (LEDS) check, a National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Clearinghouse for Educator Discipline check, and, in some circumstances, an internet or social media search.

STEP 3—Official Transcripts Including: Lewis & Clark Graduate School, Undergraduate, and Other Advanced Degrees

After receiving the “congratulations, you are now eligible to apply” email from Lewis & Clark, order the following official transcripts to be sent to TSPC:

1. Lewis & Clark Graduate School
   • Request an official transcript from the Graduate Registrar’s office at Lewis & Clark to be sent to TSPC.
   • Because you have completed what TSPC calls a “post-bac” licensure program, your MAT degree does not need to be awarded in order for you to apply to TSPC for the Preliminary Teaching License. HOWEVER, you MUST select “post-bac” when you apply for your Preliminary Teaching License. If you select “master’s,” your license application will be held up as you correct this mistake with TSPC staff.
   • MAT Degree-Posted Transcript: It is optional to send an MAT degree-posted transcript to TSPC immediately after the degree is awarded; however, you are encouraged to send one to your employing school district to ensure proper placement on the salary scheduled. (You will be required to send an official MAT degree-posted transcript to TSPC when you apply to renew your Preliminary Teaching License.)
2. Undergraduate and Additional Graduate Degrees
   • Request that official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate degrees you’ve been awarded be sent to TSPC.
     • If you completed your undergraduate degree at Lewis & Clark, you will find the instructions for ordering official transcripts here.
     • If you completed a law degree at Lewis & Clark, you will find the instructions for ordering official transcripts here.

If you already hold a TSPC-issued license, only send official transcripts that document course work or degrees that are new since you last applied to TSPC. (You do not need to resend official transcripts that you already submitted for previous applications to TSPC.)

Transcripts for Candidates Who Completed Multiple Measures in Lieu of Subject Area Test

• After receiving the “congratulations, you are now eligible to apply” email from Lewis & Clark, request that official transcripts of any additional course work that was used in the multiple measures evaluation and not already included in the transcripts, above, be sent to TSPC. 
• Instructions for Sending Official Transcripts to TSPC

STEP 4—Official Test Scores and Results

When you registered for your ORELA and NES tests, your scores were automatically sent to TSPC. TSPC evaluators will contact you after you apply if they need additional test results.

STEP 5—PEER Form, Required If You Already Hold a TSPC-Issued License

If you have held any other TSPC-issued license(s) such as a Restricted Teaching License, Restricted Substitute Teaching License, or any type of emergency license and have worked on that license, request that your employing school district’s human resources office complete TSPC’s Professional Educator Experience Report (PEER) form.

• If you worked in multiple school districts in positions that required you to hold a TSPC-issued license, you will need to request PEER forms from each school district. 
• Only submit PEER forms that document work experience that is new since you last applied to TSPC.

How long do I have to apply for my Preliminary Teaching License?

TSPC’s rules allow candidates 3-years to apply for their license, endorsement, or specialization following completion of a program. If it has been more than 3-years since completion, candidates will need to meet with a Lewis & Clark Graduate School faculty advisor to determine whether additional course work, testing, and/or field experiences are required, including admission into the current program.

FAQs

WHOM DO I CONTACT WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT MY PROGRAM?

Elementary—Multiple Subjects: Linda Griffin (through 08/16/2024), Laura Barbour starting 08/17/2024)

Secondary: Cari Zall (through 08/16/2024), Maika Yeigh (starting 08/17/24)