Free Professional Development for Teachers That Counts for License Renewal
Free professional development for teachers can count for license renewal—but only if you know which options are legitimate, how to document them, and how to avoid wasting time on PD that won’t be accepted.
Many teachers assume that if PD is free, it probably doesn’t count. Others spend hundreds of dollars unnecessarily because they’re unsure what their state will accept.
The truth is this:
There are real, high-quality, free PD options that can help you earn teacher PDUs and meet license renewal requirements—without overspending.
This guide breaks it all down.
Does Free Professional Development Count for Teacher License Renewal?
Yes—free professional development for teachers can count toward license renewal in many states.
What matters isn’t the price.
What matters is whether the PD:
- Aligns to instructional practice or professional responsibilities
- Provides clear documentation of hours
- Meets state or district approval guidelines
Most state licensing agencies care about evidence of learning, not whether you paid for it.
That said, acceptance rules vary, which is why tracking and documentation are critical.
Legitimate Sources of Free Professional Development for Teachers
Not all free PD is created equal. Below are commonly accepted sources that often count toward teacher PDUs and PD hours.
District-Provided Professional Development
District PD is one of the safest options because it’s typically pre-approved.
This includes:
- In-service days
- PLC meetings
- Curriculum adoption training
- Equity, SEL, or compliance training
Always log these hours as you complete them—don’t wait until renewal year.
State Education Department Trainings
Many state education agencies offer:
- Free online modules
- Grant-funded PD initiatives
- Required compliance trainings
These often come with built-in certificates, making them easy to document.
Nonprofit & Education Organization Webinars
Well-known education nonprofits frequently provide:
- Free webinars
- Virtual workshops
- Recorded professional learning sessions
These can count if they provide:
✔ A clear hour total
✔ Proof of completion
✔ Relevant instructional focus
Curriculum & EdTech Vendor Training
If your school uses a specific curriculum or platform, vendor training often qualifies as PD.
Examples include:
- Implementation training
- Product webinars
- Instructional best-practice sessions
Many teachers forget to log these—even though they absolutely count in many states.
Free Online PD Options That Provide Certificates
One of the easiest ways to earn teacher PDUs is through free online PD that includes documentation.
Look for:
- Live webinars with certificates
- Self-paced modules with completion records
- Recorded trainings that list total hours
Before starting, always confirm:
- Total PD hours offered
- Whether a certificate is provided
- How completion is verified
If you’re unsure whether online PD counts, this guide on how to earn teacher PDUs explains what most states accept and how to verify requirements.
How to Document Free PD So It Counts
Documentation is where many teachers lose PD hours.
To ensure your free professional development counts for license renewal, you should track:
- PD title
- Provider or organization
- Date completed
- Number of hours
- Category (instructional, equity, content, etc.)
- Proof of completion
The easiest way to stay organized is to use a single system year-round.
👉 Download the free PDU tracker spreadsheet to log teacher PDUs, PD hours, and certificates in one place.
Common Mistakes Teachers Make with Free PD
Even experienced teachers make these mistakes:
❌ Assuming free PD automatically counts
❌ Forgetting to save certificates
❌ Waiting until renewal year to track hours
❌ Overbuying paid PD “just in case”
A simple tracking system prevents all of this—and saves money.
How Free PD Fits into a Smarter PD System
Free professional development is best used as part of a balanced PD plan.
Many teachers combine:
- District PD
- Free online PD
- A small number of structured, on-demand options
This approach keeps costs low while ensuring you always meet license renewal requirements.
If you’re looking for a streamlined way to earn and document PD hours year-round, many teachers use The PD Lab as their primary PD source and log everything in one system.
👉 Explore The PD Lab for unlimited PD hours
(Internal link to PD Lab sales page)
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Overpay for PD
Free professional development for teachers can absolutely count toward license renewal—when you choose wisely and track consistently.
You don’t need:
- Expensive conferences
- Last-minute panic purchases
- PD that doesn’t support your practice
You need:
✔ Clear requirements
✔ Legitimate learning options
✔ A system that works all year
Start with the free PDU tracker.
Build your hours intentionally.
And stop paying more than you need to.
