Converting your Initial Practitioner license to a Practitioner license in Indiana is a crucial step in advancing your education career. For educators holding an Initial Practitioner license (a two-year license), transitioning to a Practitioner license (a five-year license) is essential for long-term professional growth and stability. This guide outlines the pathways available to Indiana educators, with a special focus on leveraging professional development to meet the requirements.
There are five distinct options for converting your Initial Practitioner license to a Practitioner license. It’s important to carefully review each option to determine the best fit for your specific license type and professional journey. All pathways require at least two years of experience in your content area under the Initial Practitioner license before you become eligible for conversion.
Option #1: Traditional IMAP Participation
The Indiana Mentor and Assessment Program (IMAP) serves as one route for license conversion. IMAP provides a structured mentorship and assessment experience. For detailed information and specific directions on participating in IMAP, please refer to the official IMAP resource. It’s worth noting that IMAP is now optional. The alternative pathway involves completing a Professional Growth Plan (PGP) with 40 PGP points. Regardless of the chosen path, two years of teaching experience remains a prerequisite for converting to a 5-year Practitioner license.
Option #2: Professional Growth Plan (PGP)
The Professional Growth Plan (PGP) offers an alternative to IMAP, focusing on professional development activities. For comprehensive details on Professional Growth Plans, you can explore the dedicated PGP resource. The PGP option allows educators to convert their licenses by accumulating 40 PGP points through approved professional development activities, alongside the required two years of experience in their content area. This pathway recognizes the ongoing learning and skill enhancement educators undertake throughout their careers.
Option #3: Converting using a Valid IPLA License
This conversion pathway is specifically designed for educators holding licenses in specific areas: Communication Disorders, School Social Workers, and School Nurses. For those with a Communication Disorder license, completing your Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) and holding your Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) license are necessary steps for conversion under this option. More information can be found on the Communication Disorder license renewal page.
Option #4: Converting by Adding the Early Literacy Endorsement
For instructional license holders seeking to convert their two-year Initial Practitioner license to a five-year license after gaining two years of experience, adding the Early Literacy Endorsement provides another pathway. This is an optional route for instructional license holders. Detailed information on adding the Early Literacy Endorsement, including specific requirements, is available here. For required documentation and step-by-step directions, you can click here.
Option #5: Converting with Out-of-State Experience
If you hold a valid Indiana Initial Practitioner (2-year) Instructional License and have completed at least two years of teaching experience at an accredited school in another state, this experience can be used to convert your license to a 5-year Practitioner License. This option acknowledges and values teaching experience gained outside of Indiana.
Understanding Professional Growth Plans (PGP) for License Conversion
Many educators actively engage in professional development to stay current with educational reforms and enhance their teaching practices. These activities, which extend beyond classroom responsibilities, can be leveraged to convert an Initial Practitioner license through the Professional Growth Plan (PGP) option. This pathway is available as long as educators have also completed at least two years of experience in their content area.
Alt Text: Example of Indiana Verification of Experience Form for teacher license conversion, emphasizing the two-year experience requirement.
Under the PGP system, professional development activities contribute to accumulating PGP points. One PGP point is awarded for each contact hour of active participation in a professional development activity. A total of 40 PGP points is required for PGP submission and license conversion. Crucially, PGP activities must be accrued after the issue date of your original Initial Practitioner license to be eligible for conversion.
Required Documents for PGP Conversion:
To successfully convert your license using the PGP option, ensure you have the following documents:
- Valid CPR card from an IDOE approved provider. This ensures you meet the essential safety and emergency preparedness standards.
- Approved 40 Point PGP. This document details your Professional Growth Plan and the 40 PGP points you have accumulated through qualifying professional development activities.
- Verification of 2 years of experience in the content area of your license, provided on official school letterhead and signed by the appropriate school authority. Alternatively, you can use the standardized Verification of Experience Form. This form confirms you have met the required teaching experience.
For detailed information on Licensing Fees, please click here.
Step-By-Step Instructions for PGP Conversion:
To guide you through the application process, step-by-step instructions are available based on your specific licensure type. If you hold multiple Initial Practitioner licenses, separate applications are required for each license type.
- Administrative Licenses: Click here for instructions specific to Administrative licenses.
Alt Text: Indiana Department of Education conversion instructions for Administrative licenses to 5-Year license using Professional Growth Plan.
- School Services Licenses: Click here for instructions tailored to School Services licenses.
Alt Text: Indiana Department of Education conversion instructions for School Services licenses to 5-Year license using Professional Growth Plan.
- Teacher – Charter School License: Click here for instructions for Charter School Teacher licenses.
Alt Text: Indiana Department of Education conversion instructions for Charter School Teacher licenses to 5-Year license using Professional Growth Plan.
- Teacher – Professional Educator Instructional License: Click here for instructions for Professional Educator Instructional Licenses.
Alt Text: Indiana Department of Education conversion instructions for Professional Educator Instructional Licenses to 5-Year license using Professional Growth Plan.
By understanding these pathways, particularly the Professional Growth Plan and its emphasis on ongoing professional development, Indiana educators can effectively navigate their career progression and secure their Practitioner licenses. Embrace the opportunity for continuous learning and take proactive steps towards advancing your teaching career in Indiana.
