Clock Hours FAQ

One clock hour equals 60 minutes of facilitated instructional time validated by a Washington state-approved provider such as ESD 105. Clock hours are a low-cost alternative to college credits for satisfying the continuing education requirement.

• Certification and Clock Hours home page
• Top 10 Things to Know About Certification (Certification FAQ page)

Where can I find new clock hour events?

Ask before the start date of an upcoming inservice to see if the instructor applied for clock hours. If not, you are welcome to direct them to us for assistance.

How many clock hours do I need for certification?

150 clock hours must be completed during an educator's current certification cycle for those on advanced certificates, like the continuing and professional. To renew a professional certificate, check the issue and expiration dates on the front on the certificate for your current cycle. To renew a continuing certificate, check current cycle by comparing issue date on the front and/or the expiration date(s) on the back. Clock hours pre-approved by a Washington college may be used by residency certificate holders if enrolled in a college ProCert program. Clock hours are not used to advance from the intial to the continuing certificate (only college credits at the 300 level and above are used). Click here to ask more detailed certification questions.

How many clock hours do I need for salary placement?

Ten clock hours are equivalent to one quarter-credit hour for salary consideration. Always check with your school district human resources office to see which clock hours qualify for salary.

Who keeps track of all my clock hours?

Since you are the only person who knows all of the places you’ve taken classes, it is you who collects the documentation from the presenters and maintains this file.  ALWAYS keep at least a photocopy of the document in a home file, as this may be the only record you'll ever have (most clock hour providers do not have transcript systems.)

If you receive a clock hour form SPI 1125 or a transcript, then this document can be used for salary or certification.  The original would go to your employer for salary consideration. For certification, OSPI/ESDs receive your information when you list out classes on certification applications.  If OSPI Professional Certification audits your application, then  submit your home backup file for review.

How many ESD 105 clock hours have I claimed?

Click here to ask for your current record.

Do I have any unclaimed ESD 105 hours that I can still claim?

Click here to ask for unclaimed hours.

What happens in a certification audit?

Documents to have on hand in the event of an audit include original and/or copies of these documents:

1.  College/university grade sheets or transcripts that indicate completion of courses, printed on original college paper (not plain paper).
2.  Form #SPI 1125, furnished by the approved provider, or an official transcript from the provider if you have lost a copy of a clock hour form.  A Form #SPI 1125 that indicates payment is required is not acceptable if receipting area is not completed by the approved provider listed in the header of the form.
3.  Form #SPI 1126, issued by colleges for members of approved professional growth teams to verify consultation and collaboration.
4.  Form #SPI 1128 for supervisors of interns and parapros, and NBPTS assessment and/or completion.  These are signed by your employer.

Documents not useful in an audit include unsigned or unreceipted clock hour forms, certificates of attendance/completion, or clock hours approved in states other than Washington.

How does a nonprofit or educational agency go about providing clock hours?

ESD 105 will review and approve quality proposals from host agencies for educational programs lasting at least 3 hours. Please be careful. In accordance with the Washington Administrative Code, applications received after the event cannot be approved. Download the Clock Hour Program Proposals form.