Requirements / District of Columbia
120 hours every 4 years for teachers
Primary source: OSSE Credential Renewal page + Option B (PD Training Activity Hours) page. DC uses a 4-year credential term (shorter than most states). Conversions: 1 PLU = 1 clock hour, 1 college semester credit = 15 clock hours (so 8 semester credits = 120 hours, the equivalent threshold). Hours must align with one of OSSE's eight approved professional learning domains (D-1 through D-8). Other renewal options exist: Option A (DCPS performance ratings, DCPS only) and Option C (test scores) — Option B is the standard PD-hours path used by most educators.
OSSE Standard Teacher Credential requires 120 clock hours of professional development per 4-year credential term. 1 PLU (professional learning unit) = 1 clock hour; 1 college semester credit = 15 clock hours. Sub-distribution: at least 60 of the 120 hours must be directly related to the content area of the credential being renewed (content-specific PD); the remaining hours may come from any of OSSE's eight approved domains.
School counselors hold a Pupil Services credential and follow the same 120-clock-hours / 4-year renewal cycle as teachers under OSSE Option B. The 60-hour content-specific minimum applies.
School leaders / administrators hold an Administrator credential and follow the same 120-clock-hours / 4-year renewal cycle. The 60-hour content-specific minimum applies (where "content area" for admins means school leadership / administration).
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Information current as of May 25, 2026. Verify with your state Department of Education for official licensure decisions.