Ohio's Alternative Resident Educator License
OH Professional Development Institute
We Are Ohio Educators
Educators for All's Professional Development Institute (PDI) is Ohio’s most cost-effective program designed to support teachers pursuing a five-year professional teaching license through the Alternative Resident Educator pathway. You are eligible to enroll in the PDI if you currently hold—or previously held—an Alternative Resident Educator License issued by the Ohio State Board of Education.
Educators for All's Professional Development Institute (PDI) is approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education and delivered entirely online to ensure consistency in content, activities, and assessments. The program follows an asynchronous format, giving participants 24/7 access to training materials and the flexibility to learn at their own pace—without the need to be online at the same time as others. Participants can submit assignments at their convenience, communicate with the instructor, and receive technical support through an online messaging system. The instructor provides feedback to support skill mastery, and participants are welcome to revise and resubmit assignments within their registration period.
Participant Responsibilities
Participants in Educators for All’s Professional Development Institute (PDI) are expected to actively engage with the online content, review all support materials, complete assigned activities, and submit electronic assessments. The self-paced online program requires approximately 150 seat hours to complete and includes 25 competency-based assessments. Participants have up to 365 days from the date of registration to finish all requirements at their own pace. Upon successful completion, they will receive a PDI Certificate of Completion for submission to the Ohio State Board of Education.
Competency-Driven Content
Our Professional Development Institute offers competency-based training designed to help participants develop and demonstrate the skills aligned with the Ohio Standards for the Teaching Profession. This asynchronous program features six online competencies, available 24/7, each focusing on essential teaching skills and performance-based assessments.
Competencies include:
- Teaching as a Profession
- Learner Development and Learning Differences
- Supporting Learning Environments
- Assessment for Learning
- Planning for Instruction
- Leading Instruction
On Completion, a PDI Participant Can:
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding of Ohio’s Standards for the Teaching Profession, upholding ethical conduct, legal compliance, and a commitment to ongoing professional growth.
- Recognize student developmental stages, learning differences, and unique characteristics to design inclusive and effective instruction.
- Implement effective classroom management strategies to foster a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment that promotes positive behavior.
- Utilize diverse assessment methods to accurately evaluate student learning, inform instructional decisions, and ensure alignment with Ohio’s educational standards, curriculum, and assessment guidelines.
- Align instruction with K-12 Ohio Learning Standards to create meaningful, relevant, and engaging learning experiences.
- Apply varied teaching strategies to address learning objectives, accommodate diverse learning styles, and enhance both instructional effectiveness and student success.
Required Coursework to Advance to the Professional License
The Ohio State Board of Education Policy
If any of these are limitations noted on an individual’s evaluation:
- Content Area Reading Course Required Before License Expires [880188] OR
- Reading/phonics coursework required before license expires [890001] OR
- 3 Sem. Hrs. Reading Required before License Expires [880183] OR
- 3 Sem. Hrs. Phonics Required before License Expires [880193]
Then, the coursework for requirements to advance must be on an official transcript from an accredited college/university. Suggested low-cost courses:
- Reading in the Other Content Area- available online at Ashland University for $630 – please review, Reading in Other Content (3CR) - Instructor: Jodi Rath | Ashland and/or email Jodi Rath, jrath@columbus.rr.com
- If your evaluation from the State Board of Education of Ohio requires Phonics coursework it is available online at Ashland University for $615 - please review, Phonics (3CR) - Instructor: Jodi Rath | Ashland and/or email Jodi Rath, jrath@columbus.rr.com
Payment Options
No Application Fee
Program Duration: 1 Year
Payment Options:
- Pay in Full: $2,400
Register with a buddy and save $300 — only $2,100 per person - Military & Veterans: $2,200
Includes a $200 discount with proof of service - OSU IPTI Completers: $2,200
Includes a $200 discount with proof
- Flexible Installments:
- 3 monthly payments of $850
- 10 monthly payments of $260
How to Register for PDI
NO APPLICATION FEE
Step 1: In the Contact Us below, submit this information:
- First and Last name
- Email address
- Ohio residential address
- Current or expired Ohio alternative resident educator license (AREL) OR, in the case of an individual who is seeking a teaching position, your letter of eligibility for an Ohio AREL.
Step 2: We review your request:
- When approved, you receive an email with a link to complete your registration.
- If not approved, you receive an email with an explanation and next steps.
Step 3: Once registration is complete and payment is processed, you will receive instructions to begin your PDI training.