Mississippi Department of Education

359 North West Street

P.O. Box 771 Jackson, MS 39205

Phone: 601.359.1750

FAX: 601.359.3242

Website: https://www.mdek12.org/

Office of Educator Licensure

P.O. Box 771

Jackson, MS 39205-0771

Phone: 601.359.3483

Website: https://www.mdek12.org/OTL/OEL Mississippi State Education Licensing Requirements:

The Office of Educator Licensure (OEL) accepts degrees or coursework from any nationally or regionally accredited institution. (Slippery Rock University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.) The Commission does not approve programs completed in other states. If a Mississippi educator completes a degree program in another state with the intention of becoming certified, he/she must provide to the OEL documentation that the out-of-state program is approved for licensure in that state. The “Institution Program Verification” form can be accepted as documentation and can be found in the “Paper License Application” packet at https://www.mdek12.org/OTL/OEL/licensureapplication.

Applicants are encouraged to apply online using the Educator Licensure Management System (ELMS) Application link: https://sso.mde.k12.ms.us/Login/Login.aspx

 

A five-year license is granted to applicants who hold a valid standard out-of-state license (K-12) in an area in which Mississippi issues an endorsement. The department shall grant a standard license to any individual who possesses a valid standard license from another state and meets minimum Mississippi license requirements or equivalent requirements as determined by the State Board of Education.

Applicants must submit to the Office of Educator Licensure:

  1. Licensure application
  1. Original valid out-of-state license.

(Due to falsifications, we can no longer accept photocopies. Your out-of-state license will be returned to you)

 

  1. Sealed copy of all college transcripts.

 

  1. Documentation must be provided to show a passing score on a core subject test required for certification by the issuing state, or documentation that verifies the out-of-state license was obtained in a manner equivalent with current Mississippi license guidelines for that license.

 

Please visit https://www.mdek12.org/OTL/OEL for more information. Mississippi’s full licensure guide may be viewed at https://www.mdek12.org/OTL/OEL/licensureapplication. The Mississippi Department of Education OEL may be contacted at 601.359.3483. It is highly recommended that you contact this office to confirm this information.

Please note that requirements are subject to change. You may find more licensing information for each state at https://www.ed.gov.

SRU Teacher Candidates MAY use their PA certifications to apply for comparable certifications in this state DEPENDING ON THIS STATE’S DEPT. OF ED’S EVALUATION AND POSSIBLE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS.