About the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board
In 1995 the State Legislature created the independent Hawaii Teacher Standards Board (HTSB) to set licensing standards for Hawaii public school teachers. Teachers must meet these standards in order to qualify for a Hawaii teaching license.
In 2002, the Legislature transferred responsibility for teacher licensing and State Approval of Teacher Education to the HTSB. Teachers must be licensed in order to be employed by the Department of Education and they must renew their teaching license every five years to keep their license.
HTSB Board Members
By statute, the fifteen-member Board is comprised of classroom teachers, school administrators, the Dean of the UH College of Education, the State Superintendent, the Chair of the Board of Education, and business representatives. The Governor appoints the teacher, administrator, and business representatives to three-year terms while the Dean, Superintendent and BOE Chair serve by virtue of their office.
More about the board and its members
Vision
The HTSB envisions a highly esteemed public education system with rigorous professional teacher standards that foster student success.
Mission
Our mission is to collaboratively set high teacher licensing and credentialing standards to:
- Provide every child with qualified teachers.
- Promote professionalism and teaching excellence.
- Build public confidence in the teaching profession.
- Provide more accountability to the public