License and Permit Information

How to Submit an Application

Only one application can be submitted at a time. Once the application has been processed or canceled, you can submit a new application.

To Apply Without a Valid License/Permit	To Convert a Valid Hawaii License/Permit	To Add a New Teaching Field
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.”	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.”	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.”

Scroll down for the License Requirements Chart 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 HTSB tab in your HTSB Profile for all questions.
• Submitted applications containing errors will need to be canceled so that the applicant can reapply.
• Out-of-State: Please note that if you are completing a state approved teacher education program, outside of Hawaii, you will need to complete additional testing requirements listed in NBI 21-13 linked here.
• HTSB does not have the authority to certify or license educators for substitute teaching or administrator roles in Hawaii.

During peak application times, 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, 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

In accordance with Hawaii Administrative Rules §8-54-2.2 (b) (1) (c) (1) and the Delegation of Powers to the Executive Director (cited below), the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board requires the submittal of official documents for all applications prior to being issued a license, permit, or certificate. HTSB Policy linked here (NBI22-23). 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. Teacher preparation program (Outside of the U.S.): Course-by-course evaluation from a member of the National Association for Credential Evaluation Services (www.naces.org) must be submitted for transcripts issued by a non-U.S. institution. The evaluation must indicate the program completed is equivalent to a teacher education preparation program in the U.S. and must specify the content area(s) and grade level(s) for which the person is prepared to teach.

Social Security Number Requirement (effective April 1, 2022) 

Effective April 1, 2022, and in accordance with state and federal laws, HTSB will require each applicant to disclose their Social Security Number and submit a readable copy of their Social Security card prior to the issuance or renewal of a license, permit, or certificate. Each applicant, license, permit, or certificate holder must provide HTSB with a valid Social Security number or their application will be deemed incomplete and will not be processed further.

• NOTE: This item does not apply to previously employed and current Hawaii Department of Education and Hawaii State Public Charter School teachers who have already provided the required information.

Question about licensure after retirement? 

Please visit the webpage on Renewing Your License.

Updating Name, Birthdate, or Social Security Number

Click here for more information on how to update your Name, Birthdate, or Social Security Number. 

Government Issued Photo Identification

A valid government-issued photo identification will be required prior to the issuance of a Hawaii license, permit, or certificate. The applicant will be required to submit a readable copy of one of the following:

• A valid U.S. passport or passport card;
• A valid international passport or passport card;
• A valid driver license issued by any U.S. state;
•  A valid identification card issued by any U.S. state;
• A valid U.S. military or military dependent identification card;
• A valid U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner identification card; or
• A Native American Tribal Document.

NOTE: Information on the photo identification provided to HTSB must match the profile information on the HTSB account and all documents submitted. Further documentation may be required if needed.

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  

License and Permit Requirements

During peak application times, 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.

License or Permit Type	Description	Term
Provisional License	A Provisional License may be issued to individuals who have completed a state-approved teacher education program (SATEP) in Hawaiʻi or another U.S. state and have less than three (3) years of full-time teaching experience. This license is a NASDTEC Stage 2 License. Click here for Provisional License requirements	3 years, non-renewable
Standard License	A Standard License may be issued to teachers who have three (3) or more years of full-time teaching experience within the last five (5) years in a P-12 contracted position from a school in Hawaiʻi or another U.S. state. This license is a NASDTEC Stage 3 License. Click here for Standard License requirements	5 years, renewable
Standard Limited License in Computer Science	A Standard Limited License restricts teaching to the field on the license, and additional fields may not be added. Three (3) years of industry experience in the license field are required. A Standard Limited Computer Science License holder may not teach other subjects and may only add other limited Computer Science fields. Click here for Standard Limited License in Computer Science requirements	5 years, renewable
Standard Limited License in CTE	A Standard Limited License restricts teaching to the field on the license, and additional fields may not be added. Three (3) years of industry experience in the license field are required. A Standard Limited Career and Technical Education (CTE) License holder may not teach other subjects and may only add other limited CTE fields. Click here for Standard Limited License in CTE requirements	5 years, renewable
Advanced License	An Advanced License may be issued to teachers who have five (5) years of full-time teaching experience within the last eight (8) years in a P-12 contracted position from a school in Hawaiʻi or another U.S. state. This license is a NASDTEC Stage 4 License. Click here for Advanced License requirements	10 years, renewable
Emergency Hire Permit	An Emergency Hire Permit may be issued to an unlicensed individual who wishes to teach in a Hawaiʻi Department of Education or Hawaiʻi State Public Charter School in a shortage area or hard-to-fill position when no licensed teacher is available. Click here for Emergency Hire Permit requirements	1 year, may be reissued twice for a maximum of 3 years
CTE Permit	A Career and Technical Education (CTE) Permit may be issued to an unlicensed individual employed by a Hawaiʻi Department of Education or Hawaiʻi State Public Charter School in a CTE classroom when no licensed teacher is available. Click here for CTE Permit requirements	5 years, may be renewed once
Hawaiian Permit	A Hawaiian Permit may be issued to an unlicensed individual employed by a Hawaiʻi Department of Education or Hawaiʻi State Public Charter School in Kaiaʻōlelo‐Kaiapuni Hawaiʻi, Hawaiian Language Immersion, or Hawaiian Knowledge classrooms when no licensed teacher is available. Applicants must be recommended by the Office of Hawaiian Education (OHE) for this permit. Click here for Hawaiian Permit requirements	1 year, may be reissued four times for a term of 5 years.A second term of 5 years may be renewed once, valid for 1 year at a time.
Student Teacher Permit	A Student Teacher Permit may be issued to an unlicensed individual recommended by a Hawaiʻi state-approved teacher education program (SATEP) to serve as a student-teacher. An Emergency Hire Permit holder should not apply for a Student Teacher Permit. Click here for Student Teacher Permit requirements	1 year limited duty, may be renewed as many times as a preparation program recommends the individual
	Available license fields and levels: License Fields
	How to Verify Completion of an Educator Preparation Program: Preparation Program Verification Options
	How to verify Basic Skills and Content Knowledge as an out-of-state teacher education program completer: NBI 21-13