How Many PD Hours Do Kansas Teachers Need for Kansas Teacher License Renewal?

Kansas teacher license renewal does not use a simple PD hours count. Instead, Kansas uses a points-based system administered through local Professional Development Councils (PDCs). The number of points you need — and how many of those points must come from college credit — depends on whether you hold a graduate degree. This distinction is the most important thing to understand before planning your renewal activities, because the requirements differ significantly between graduate degree holders and those without a graduate degree.

This article explains the Kansas PDC point system in detail, breaks down the requirements for each teacher category, shows how college credit converts to PDC points, and explains how to make sure your professional development activities count toward renewal.

What Are PDC Points in Kansas Teacher License Renewal?

PDC points are the unit of measurement for professional development in Kansas teacher license renewal. They are awarded by your district’s local Professional Development Council (PDC) for activities completed under an approved Individual Development Plan (IDP). The PDC is a district-level body — typically composed of teachers, administrators, and community members — that oversees professional development planning and verification for license renewal purposes.

The key word is “approved.” Activities must be included in your IDP before you complete them to count toward renewal. This is the most common mistake Kansas teachers make with the PDC system: completing professional development activities — including graduate coursework — without first ensuring those activities are included in an approved IDP. If your PDC coordinator has not approved an activity as part of your plan, the points from that activity may not be accepted when you apply for renewal.

PDC points can be earned from a wide range of professional development activities, including college coursework, district workshops, conferences, mentoring, curriculum development projects, action research, and professional learning communities. The point values assigned to each activity type are established by KSDE and your local PDC. College credit is consistently the highest-value activity type: one semester credit hour equals 20 PDC points, regardless of the subject matter or level of the course.

The Path for Graduate Degree Holders: 120 Points

Kansas teachers who hold a graduate degree need 120 PDC points for Professional License renewal. This is the simpler of the two paths. There is no requirement that any of the 120 points come from college credit — all 120 points can come from non-credit professional development activities under an approved IDP. However, the most efficient approach for most graduate degree holders is to use college credits, because six credit hours of graduate coursework earns exactly 120 points, satisfying the full renewal requirement with a single, straightforward activity.

Graduate degree holders also have an alternative renewal path that non-degree holders do not: verifying three years of accredited teaching experience during the current license period. This experience renewal option can be used only twice in a teacher’s career, so it should be reserved for circumstances where completing professional development is genuinely difficult — not used as a default approach. Teachers who use the experience renewal option miss the opportunity to advance their salary lane during that renewal cycle.

The Path for Non-Graduate Degree Holders: 160 Points with College Credit Required

Kansas teachers who do not hold a graduate degree need 160 PDC points for Professional License renewal, and at least 80 of those points must come from college credit. This is a mandatory requirement — there is no way to satisfy the full 160-point requirement through non-credit professional development alone if you do not hold a graduate degree. At least four credit hours of college coursework are required.

The most efficient approach for non-graduate degree holders is to complete eight credit hours of college coursework, which earns 160 points and satisfies the entire renewal requirement through college credit alone. This approach has two additional advantages: it eliminates the need to track and document multiple types of non-credit PD activities, and it builds toward a graduate degree, which would reduce your future renewal requirement from 160 points to 120 points and eliminate the college credit mandate.

Non-graduate degree holders who are considering pursuing a master’s degree should be aware that the credits they complete for renewal can count toward a graduate degree program if they enroll in a program that accepts transfer credits. Credits for Teachers courses are issued through regionally accredited university partners, and many graduate programs accept these credits toward degree requirements. Completing renewal coursework through a provider whose credits are transferable to a degree program is a strategic way to make progress toward a graduate degree while satisfying your renewal requirement.

College Credit to PDC Points: The Kansas Teacher License Renewal Conversion

The conversion rate of one semester credit hour to 20 PDC points is the most important number in Kansas teacher license renewal planning. It determines how many credits you need for renewal and how to mix credit-based and non-credit activities to meet your point requirement. Here is how the math works for the most common scenarios:

The IDP Approval Process: What You Need to Do First

Before you complete any professional development activities for Kansas teacher license renewal, you must have an approved Individual Development Plan (IDP) from your district’s PDC. The IDP is a written plan that outlines your professional development goals, the activities you plan to complete, and how those activities align with your school’s or district’s improvement goals. Your PDC coordinator reviews and approves the plan before you begin.

The IDP approval process typically happens at the beginning of each school year or at the start of a new renewal cycle. Most districts have a standard IDP form and a designated PDC coordinator who manages the approval process. If you are new to a district or starting a new renewal cycle, contact your PDC coordinator early in the school year to establish your IDP before you enroll in any courses or register for any workshops.

If you plan to use college credits for renewal — which is the most efficient approach for most Kansas teachers — include the specific courses you plan to take in your IDP. You do not need to have already enrolled in the courses; you just need to include them in your plan. If your plans change and you want to take a different course than what is in your IDP, contact your PDC coordinator to update your plan before completing the new course.

What Types of Activities Earn PDC Points

Kansas’s PDC system is flexible — many types of professional development activities can earn points toward renewal. The most common activity types and their typical point values include:

College coursework: 20 points per semester credit hour. This is the highest-value activity and the most straightforward to document. Official transcripts serve as verification.

District-approved workshops and training: Points vary by activity length and type, as determined by your local PDC. Typically 1 point per hour of participation, but this varies by district.

Professional conferences: Points vary by PDC. Attendance at state and national conferences is commonly approved, but the point value depends on your PDC’s guidelines.

Mentoring and coaching: Serving as a mentor teacher or instructional coach can earn PDC points under an approved IDP. Point values vary by district.

Curriculum development and action research: Participating in curriculum writing teams or conducting classroom-based action research can earn PDC points. These activities must be included in your approved IDP.

National Board Certification: Completing all components of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards assessment satisfies the full renewal requirement for Professional License holders, regardless of whether you earn certification. Achieving National Board Certification moves you to an Accomplished Teaching License.

The Bottom Line

Kansas teacher license renewal through the PDC system requires 120 points for graduate degree holders and 160 points (including at least 80 from college credit) for non-degree holders. The most efficient path for most Kansas teachers is to use graduate credits: six credit hours satisfies the full Kansas teacher license renewal requirement for graduate degree holders, and eight credit hours satisfies the full requirement for non-degree holders. The critical procedural requirement is to have your IDP approved before completing any activities — activities completed outside an approved IDP may not count toward renewal. Graduate credits that satisfy your renewal requirement also advance your salary lane, making them the highest-return professional development investment available to Kansas teachers.