License and Permit Information

How to Submit an Application

To Apply Without a Valid License Create/Login to your HTSB profile Click on your name (right-hand corner) Go to My Profile Go to the Applications tab–> Start New Application –>Complete all steps of the application–>Save after each section–>When you finish your application, click “Submit.”

To Convert a Valid License/Permit Create/Login to your HTSB profile Click on your name (right-hand corner) Go to My Profile Go to the Licenses/Permits tab–> Convert License/Permit –>Complete all steps of the application–>Save after each section–>When you finish your application, click “Submit.”

To Add a Teaching Field Create/Login to your HTSB profile Click on your name (right-hand corner) Go to My Profile Go to your Licenses/Permits tab –> Add Teaching Field –>Complete all steps of the application–>Save after each section–>When you finish your application, click “Submit.”

NOTE:

• You must have an HTSB Profile to submit an application.
• If you are locked out of your HTSB Profile go to Contact Us for more information.
• HTSB licensing staff will evaluate your application after it has been submitted. Please use your Contact HTSBtab in your HTSB Profile for all questions.
• Submitted applications containing errors will need to be canceled so that the applicant can reapply.

During peak application times, May – July and January – March, it may take up to six (6) weeks to process your application, especially if we are waiting on documentation from agencies, schools, or organizations to support your application.

The Requirement to Have a License or Permit in Hawaii

• All Hawaii DOE and Charter School teachers, librarians, and counselors must have a license or permit prior to employment.  Click here to see the laws requiring a license.
• If no licensed teacher is available, the school may hire an emergency hire teacher. Click here to read the law on emergency hire teachers. 
• There is a penalty for both the teacher and the administrator if a person is teaching without the proper license or permit.  Click here to read about the penalty for teaching without a license or permit.

Status of Application Evaluations

You will receive a notification when your application is approved or if we need additional information.  If you are currently enrolled in or have recently completed a Hawaii State Approved Teacher Education Program, we will process your application after we receive the list of completers from your program. During peak application times, May – July and January – March, it may take up to six (6) weeks to process your application, especially if we are waiting on documentation from agencies, schools, or organizations to support your application.

Submitting Documents

Please scan and upload all required documents directly to your HTSB account Documents Tab. This instantly notifies HTSB that a document has been added. NOTE:

• When creating an HTSB online profile and completing applications, first and last name must match the name on all legal documents. Use of multiple forms of your name on documents may result in a delay in application processing.
• Due to COVID-19 protocols,  documents submitted by regular mail may be subject to extended processing time.

Submitting Non-US Documents

All transcripts and official documents from non-US institutions that you would like reviewed must include an evaluation/report completed by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member agency.

Military and Military Spouses

If you are a military spouse, then please be sure to indicate that on your application. Our licensing team can speak with you about our expedited licensing process for military spouses. Please also read about other federal resources that have been made to support the process for transferring a teaching license from your home state. Click here to read more about these resources for military spouses.

Reciprocity

HTSB honors reciprocity for all 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, and CNMI for jurisdictional approved preparation programs leading to licensure, licenses, and verifiable relevant experience.  HTSB will evaluate non-US programs,  licenses, and experiences, please provide the necessary documentation during the application process.

Who do I contact for questions regarding teaching in Hawaii?

Contact us for questions regarding licenses and permits for teachers, counselors, and librarians. For all other questions, please see Where to go: A Guide for Hawaii Teacher Applicants and Licensees

Question about licensure after retirement? 

Please visit the webpage on Renewing Your License.

	License or Permit Type	Description	Term		Requirements
	Provisional License	The Provisional License is a NASDTEC Stage 2 License.  For teachers who have completed a preparation program and have less than three years of full-time teaching experience.	3 Years, not renewable		Submit an online application and the following required documentation: Provisional License Requirements
	Standard License	The Standard License is a NASDTEC Stage 3 License.  There are multiple ways to qualify for this license if you have three or more years of full-time teaching experience within the last five years in Hawaii or another state.	5 Years, renewable		Submit an online application and the following required documentation: Standard License Requirements
	Standard Limited     License in CTE or    Computer Science	The Limited Standard License restricts teaching to the field on the license, and additional fields may not be added to this license.  Three years of industry experience in the license field are required.	5 Years, renewable		Submit an online application and the following required documentation: Standard Limited CTE License Requirements or Standard Limited Computer Science License Requirements
	Advanced License	The Advanced License is a NASDTEC Stage 4 License.  There are three ways to qualify for this license if you have five years of full-time teaching experience within the last eight years.	10 Years, renewable		Submit an online application and the following required documentation: Advanced License Requirements
	Emergency Hire Permit	The Emergency Hire Permit is issued to an unlicensed individual who wishes to teach in a Hawaii public school in a shortage area or hard to fill position when no licensed teacher is available.	1 Year, expires on June 30th of each year.  May be reissued two times.		Submit an online application and the following required documentation: Emergency Hire Permit Requirements
	CTE Permit	The CTE Permit is issued to an unlicensed individual employed by the Hawaii Department of Education or a Hawaii Charter School in a CTE classroom when no licensed teacher is available.	5 years, may be renewed one time		Submit an online application and the following required documentation: CTE Permit Requirements
	Hawaiian Permit	The Hawaiian Permit is issued to an unlicensed individual employed by the Hawaii Department of Education or a Hawaii Charter School in Kaia ̒ōlelo‐Kaiapuni Hawai ̒i, Hawaiian Language Immersion, and Hawaiian Knowledge classrooms when no licensed teacher is available.	1 year, may be renewed for five years		Submit an online application and the following required documentation: Hawaiian Permit Requirements
	Student Teacher Permit	The Student-Teacher Permit is issued to an unlicensed individual recommended by a Hawaii state-approved teacher education program to serve as a student-teacher. Educators with an Emergency Hire permit should not apply for a student-teacher permit.	1 year limited duty		Submit an online application and the following required documentation: Student Teacher Permit Requirements
		Available license fields and levels: License Fields and Levels			How to Verify  Basic Skills: Basic Skills Verification Options
		How to Verify Completion of an Educator Preparation Program: Preparation Program Verification Options			How to Verify Content Knowledge: Content Knowledge Verification Options
					How to Meet Professional Fitness Requirements: Professional Fitness Verification Information