Get written approval before you enroll. HIDOE's reclassification guidelines accept only Academic credits and Department PD credits that an administrator pre-approved and that were started and completed while you were employed by the Department. Credits taken without that approval, or before you were a Department employee, cannot be submitted.
Pre-approval and eligibility come first
The Hawai'i State Department of Education (HIDOE) publishes Reclassification Guidelines for Teachers. The edition checked for this guide is the SY2024-25 document; confirm that it is still the current edition before you plan. It sets these conditions:
- Approval before enrolling. Teachers seek approval from their Principal or Administrator before enrolling, and the Principal ensures the course meets Department requirements.
- Employment. Credits must be started and completed while employed with the Department.
- Content. Qualifying credits should relate to standards-based instruction, align with the school's design plan, and/or directly support Department initiatives.
- Not eligible: credits taken while not employed by the Department; academic credits earned as CEUs; and PD credits designated "Non-PD hours".
- Timing. Late or incomplete submissions roll to the following semester.
Because CEUs are excluded, check that any course you are considering is issued as academic credit on an official transcript. See clock hours, CEUs and semester credits for the difference.
How pay moves: Class II to Class VIII
HIDOE pays teachers on a single statewide schedule organised by class, not by BA+ lanes. Initial placement depends on your degree; each later class is reached by earning 15 more credits.
"Teachers may reclassify once per semester after earning 15 credits."HIDOE, Reclassification Guidelines for Teachers, SY2024-25
| Class | Initial classification | Reclassification |
|---|---|---|
| II | BA | |
| III | BA+30 or MA | Class II + 15 credits |
| IV | Class III + 15 credits | |
| V | Class IV + 15 credits | |
| VI | Class V + 15 credits | |
| VII | Doctorate | Class VI + 15 credits |
| VIII | Class VII + 15 credits (additional condition; confirm) |
- Mixing credit types. Qualifying credits may combine Academic credits (college or university semester hours) and Department PD credits.
- Banking. Credits may be banked toward a future reclassification.
- Class VIII. The schedule marks Class VIII with an additional condition. Confirm the exact wording on the current schedule before planning toward it.
The general idea of moving across a schedule is covered in lane change, explained; in Hawaii the "lane" is the class.
License renewal: experience, not coursework
The Hawai'i Teacher Standards Board (HTSB) renews Standard licenses every 5 years and Advanced licenses every 10 years. HTSB's March 2026 renewal guides set no fixed credit or PD-hour quota. Instead they require at least one full year of full-time contracted P-12 teaching within the preceding five years, verified through the applicable route.
Do not buy credits to renew a Hawaii license. Coursework alone cannot replace the required teaching experience. In Hawaii, credits matter for reclassification on the HIDOE schedule, not for HTSB renewal.
One employer: HIDOE
All Hawaii public school teachers work for one department, so the documents below apply statewide.
HIDOE salary schedule
Teacher's Annual Rate Salary Schedule (10-month), effective the first work day of SY2026-27. Classes II to VIII.
Source: HIDOE 10-Month Teacher Salary Schedule SY2026-27 (PDF).HIDOE reclassification guidelines
15 credits per class, once per semester, pre-approval required, CEUs excluded.
Source: HIDOE Reclassification Guidelines for Teachers, SY2024-25. Confirm current edition and submission dates.Your school's administrator
Approval is given at the school level before you enroll. Ask for it in writing and keep a copy with your transcript.
Source: HIDOE Reclassification Guidelines for Teachers, SY2024-25.Before you enroll in anything
- Confirm you are currently employed by HIDOE. Credits started before employment do not count.
- Ask your Principal or Administrator to approve the specific course before you register. Get the approval in writing.
- Check the course is academic credit on an official transcript, not CEUs.
- Check the course relates to standards-based instruction, your school's design plan or Department initiatives.
- Count toward the next 15 credits; bank any extra for the following class.
- Submit complete paperwork on time. Late or incomplete submissions move to the next semester.
Hawaii's rules are unusual. For a contrast with a district-by-district state, see the California guide, or compare course providers.
Sources
- Hawai'i State Department of Education, Reclassification Guidelines for Teachers, SY2024-25 (PDF).
- Hawai'i State Department of Education, Teacher's Annual Rate Salary Schedule (10-month), SY2026-27 (PDF).
- Hawai'i Teacher Standards Board, Standard and Advanced license renewal guides (March 2026).
- National Education Association, Rankings of the States 2025 and Estimates of School Statistics 2026, Table E-4 (teacher counts).
Last reviewed 2026-11-03. How we correct errors.