OVERVIEW

Certification renewal is the most important and dynamic element in continued professional development, education and leadership.  Renewal candidates should be involved in professional activities related to music performance, teaching, educational development of students and promotion of music in the community.

Renewal of MTNA Professional Certification means the Nationally Certified Teacher of Music maintains Standards I, II and III of the original certification and continues to fulfill and validate Standards IV and V.

Standard IV: Professionalism and Partnerships

1. Contributing to the Profession
Competent music teachers contribute to the professional growth of their colleagues, their studios and schools, their professional associations and their profession at large.

2. Building Partnerships
Competent music teachers understand and appreciate the unique position that the family unit, colleagues and the community play in the musical education of students. They actively seek opportunities to build and nurture partnerships with them.


Standard V: Professional and Personal Renewal

3. Evaluating Professional Growth
Competent music teachers continually evaluate their personal teaching philosophy. They regularly assess their teaching and their professional growth to expand their knowledge and improve their teaching.

4. Continuing Education
Competent music teachers enhance their understanding of current pedagogical materials and methods, technology and business management through continuing education.

Beginning in 2009, teachers must renew their certification annually.  The yearly renewal will begin at the end of the certified teacher's five year renewal cycle and continue every year thereafter.

Professional Renewal Requirements

• Complete the Renewal application form

• Pay Renewal Fees

• For full or part time college faculty:  submit an Administrative Verification of Professional Renewal Activities Form, signed and verified by a college/university administrator, that your faculty evaluation credentials and professional renewal activities have met the requirements for fulfilling Standards IV Professionalism and Partnerships and Standard V Professional and Personal Renewal during the one year period preceding the renewal expiration date.  Professional renewal activities must reflect the area of music performance and teaching in which certification is held.

• For independent teachers:  complete and submit the Documentation of Professional Renewal Activities Form - 3 points required each year:  one point from Standard IV, one point from Standard V, and one point from your choice of activities from Standard IV or Standard V.  Professional renewal activities points must reflect the area of music performance and teaching in which certification is held.  For a detailed list of activities that meet each standard, see the Documentation of Professional Renewal Activities form.  Renewal candidates with other music- or education-related activities may submit those activities to the National Certification Commission for consideration.  Requests for these types of activities should be sent to MTNA for pre-approval.
  

• Notice of renewal from MTNA will be sent each year to renewal candidates along with a renewal application form and a Documentation of Professional Renewal Activities Form and/or an Administrative Verification of Professional Renewal Activities Form.

• Send a completed renewal application form and a non-refundable renewal fee (See Certification Fee Schedule) with one of the following options:

Option 1. A completed and signed Documentation of Professional Renewal Activities Form

OR

Option 2. A completed and signed Administrative Verification of Professional Renewal Activities Form from a college/university administrator

to MTNA Professional Certification Program, 441 Vine St., Ste. 3100, Cincinnati, OH 45202-3004. 

• Application materials and fees must be postmarked on or before July 1 each year to avoid a delinquent fee. Certification renewal expires on September 1 each year, after which time the NCTM is not in good standing nor entitled to any of the privileges of certification. 

• NCTMs not in good standing may be reinstated by submitting a letter requesting reinstatement, a completed renewal application form, renewal fee, and a delinquent fee for each year of delinquency with one of the following options:

Option 1. A completed and signed Documentation of Professional Renewal Activities Form for the year preceding the delinquency.

OR

Option 2. A completed and signed Administrative Verification of Professional Renewal Activities Form for the year preceding the delinquency. 

PERMANENT PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE

Permanent Professional Certification recognizes that the Nationally Certified Teacher of Music has met and maintained the MTNA Professional Certification Standards for a minimum of 10 years.

• MTNA Permanent Professional Certification status is conferred upon successful completion of the 10th   year of renewals. Application materials and fees must be postmarked on or before July 1 to avoid a delinquent fee. Certification renewal expires on September 1 each year, after which time the NCTM is not in good standing nor entitled to any of the privileges of certification. 

• Teachers holding the Permanent Professional Certificate must renew this certificate every year with application and payment of the renewal fee, but are not required to submit a Documentation of Professional Renewal Activities Form or an Administrative Verification of Professional Renewal Activities Form.