Delaware Initial License vs Continuing License
The Three License Tiers
Delaware's educator licensing system has three tiers, and you can hold only one active license at a time. Your tier determines your renewal obligations, professional development requirements, and available salary supplements.
Initial License
The entry-level credential for new educators. You receive an Initial License if you're a traditional program graduate, a career changer completing ARTC, or an out-of-state teacher with at least one but fewer than four years of verified experience.
During this period, you participate in your district's Comprehensive Educator Induction Program, which pairs you with an experienced mentor.
Continuing License
The standard five-year renewable credential for established educators. You earn a Continuing License by completing your induction and mentoring program with no more than one unsatisfactory annual summative evaluation under the Delaware Performance Appraisal System (DPAS).
Out-of-state teachers with four or more years of verified experience receive a Continuing License by Reciprocity, bypassing the Initial tier entirely.
Renewal every five years requires 90 clock hours of professional development, with at least 45 hours directly related to work with students or staff. There is no renewal fee.
Advanced License
The highest tier, valid for ten years. This requires National Board Certification (NBPTS) — an optional, rigorous credentialing process administered by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The Advanced License comes with state salary supplements and a longer renewal window, but it's entirely optional. Most Delaware teachers operate on the Continuing License for their entire career.
How to Upgrade from Initial to Continuing
The transition isn't automatic — it requires documented evidence:
- Complete your induction program. Your district assigns a mentor and provides structured support during your first years. The length varies by district and pathway.
- Maintain satisfactory evaluations. You can have no more than one unsatisfactory annual summative evaluation under DPAS during your induction period.
- Apply for the upgrade in DEEDS. Once your mentor program is complete and your evaluations are documented, submit the license upgrade through your DEEDS 3.0 dashboard.
The upgrade carries no additional state fee. Your employing district's HR department typically coordinates the timing of the transition with the DDOE.
Stacking Certificates Across Tiers
Your license tier is separate from your standard certificates. Regardless of whether you hold an Initial, Continuing, or Advanced License, you can add new content-area certificates at any time through DEEDS. Adding a certificate requires passing the relevant Praxis II exam and submitting supporting documentation — but there's no additional fee for the certificate itself.
This means a teacher on an Initial License can hold certificates in both Mathematics and Physics simultaneously. The license tier governs your employment authority and renewal obligations; the certificates define what you're qualified to teach.
For a detailed comparison chart of all three license tiers and the specific steps to upgrade between them, the Delaware Teacher Certification Guide maps the full progression from Initial through Advanced with checklists for each transition.
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