Convert Initial Practitioner to Practitioner License
There are five options to convert your license from the Initial Practitioner (2 year license) to the Practitioner license (5 year license). Two of these pathways are only for certain license types, please read all five options carefully to make sure you are using the option that best suits your licensure needs.
All initial practitioner licenses (Professional Educator Instructional, Charter, School Services, and Administrative Licenses must have at least two years of experience in their content area before they are eligible for converting their license.
Option #1: Traditional IMAP Participation
- Please click the above link for information and directions on the IMAP option.
- The Indiana Mentor and Assessment Program (IMAP) will be optional; the alternative to IMAP is completion of a Professional Growth Plan with 40 PGP points. (511 IAC 14-2-3) Two years teaching experience still required to convert to a 5-year practitioner license. (511 IAC 14-3-1)
Option #2: Professional Growth Plan (PGP)
- If you would like more information on professional growth plans, click the link above.
- The section below the other option types will have all information on converting using PGP.
Option #3: Converting using a Valid IPLA License
- This pathway is only for the following license types: Communication Disorders, School Social Workers, and School Nurses.
- If you have a Communication Disorder license, you must complete your CFY and hold your SLP license.
Option #4: Converting by Adding the Early Literacy Endorsement
- This optional pathway is for instructional license holders who have completed the early literacy endorsement and need to convert their two-year Initial Practitioner’s license to a five-year license after completing two years of experience.
- For more in depth information on adding the Early Literacy Endorsement and a list of requirements: Click Here
- A list of required documentation and step-by-step directions: Click Here
Option #5: Converting with Out-of-State Experience
- If you already hold a valid Indiana Initial Practitioner (2-year) Instructional License, and now have completed at least two-years of teaching in another state at an accredited school, then you can use that experience to convert your license to a 5-year Practitioner License.
Required Documents for this application:
- Proof of CPR / Heimlich / AED Certification
- Verification of Work Experience
- Step-by-Step Directions: Click Here
How to Convert and Add an Instructional Content Area:
An additional content area can be added when converting a license, if the expiration date of the license is within 90 days. Since both evaluations will be conducted simultaneously, a single fee $35.00 is charged. You can add an instructional content area if you are converting your Initial Practitioner 2-Year Instructional or Charter License with PGP or with IMAP. You cannot add areas to an Administrative or School Services license.
Some instructional areas require coursework and testing, and some areas can be added with testing alone. For information on what is required to add an instructional area to your license, please see our information on additions: Click Here
Information on Converting with PGP:
Educators attend conferences, workshops, participate in curriculum development committees, participate in school improvement plans, and take coursework to stay up-to-date on the latest educational reforms in addition to their classroom responsibilities. Due to this, educators can use this professional development to convert their license instead of completing IMAP as long as they have additionally completed at least two years of experience in their content area.
One PGP point is given for every contact hour an educator is actively involved in a professional development activity. A total of 40 PGP points is required for submission. PGP activities must be gained since the issue date of their original initial practitioner license.
Required Documents
- Valid CPR card from IDOE approved provider.
- Approved 40 Point PGP
- Verification of 2 years experience in the content area of your license, on school letterhead and signed. This template form may also be used: Verification of Experience Form
Licensing Fee Information: Click here.
Step-By-Step Instructions:
Click on the instructions for your licensure type. If you hold more than one type of initial practitioner license, you will need separate applications for each license type.
Administrative Licenses: Click here.
School Services Licenses: Click here.
Teacher - Charter School License: Click here.
Teacher - Professional Educator Instructional License: Click here.