Delaware Teacher License Renewal: Clock Hours and Requirements

The 90 Clock Hour Requirement

Delaware's Continuing License is valid for five years. To renew it, you must complete and log 90 clock hours of approved professional development within that five-year window. At least 45 of those hours must be directly related to your work with students or staff — not general professional development.

There is no state fee for license renewal. The $100 application fee is a one-time charge for your first Delaware license only. Commercial resources that claim you need to pay $50 to $100 to renew are incorrect.

What Counts Toward Your Hours

Several types of professional development qualify for clock hour credit:

Graduate coursework carries a generous conversion ratio: one semester credit equals 15 professional development clock hours. A single three-credit graduate course gives you 45 hours — half your renewal requirement in one shot. This also means a master's degree earned during your renewal window can satisfy your clock hour obligations while advancing your salary placement.

District-approved PD includes workshops, seminars, and training sessions run by your school district or approved external providers. Your district's HR department has the authority to verify and approve these hours.

National Board Certification (NBPTS) is optional and can unlock the ten-year Advanced License with state salary supplements.

Where to Log Your Hours

Standard classroom teachers log professional development hours in the clock hours tab of the DEEDS dashboard. This is the same DEEDS 3.0 system you used during initial certification.

Do not confuse DEEDS with DELPROS. DELPROS (Delaware Professional Regulation Online Service) is a separate database used exclusively by professionals who maintain a Title 24 professional license in addition to their educator credential — nurses, speech pathologists, and similar roles. If you're a standard classroom teacher, DELPROS is not relevant to your renewal.

The 45-Hour Direct-Impact Rule

The requirement that at least 45 of your 90 hours relate directly to student or staff work means you can't fill the entire requirement with generic leadership conferences or self-paced online modules that don't connect to classroom practice. The DDOE and your district HR team evaluate submissions against this standard.

Plan your professional development strategically across the five-year window. Front-loading all 90 hours in year one and coasting for four years is technically allowed, but spreading your PD across years keeps you current and makes it easier to meet the 45-hour direct-impact threshold with substantive, classroom-connected activities.

Consequences of Missing the Deadline

If your Continuing License expires without the 90 hours logged and verified, you will need to address the lapse through the renewal process and provide documentation of your completed hours. This is disruptive for both you and your district.

For a complete tracking tool that maps your clock hours against the five-year renewal cycle, the Delaware Teacher Certification Guide includes a clock hour renewal log designed to keep your professional development on schedule.

See more Delaware guides →