Professional Development Requirement for AMS Educators
Your AMS credential signals that you’ve successfully completed a rigorous program of study at an AMS-affiliated teacher education program. You have the skills and experience necessary to work in a Montessori classroom or in a school administrator position. But your learning doesn’t stop there. Whether you have decades of experience in your field, or are just starting out, the AMS requirement for continuing professional development (CPD) helps ensure that you remain a competent and relevant practitioner and continue to bring new ideas and perspectives into your community of learners.
Credential Holders
If your AMS credential was issued on or after July 1, 2013, you must complete 50 hours of continuing professional development every 5 years to keep it active. The first 5-year period starts from the date of issuance.
After completing your 50 hours of PD, enter them into our Professional Development Submission Form. Failure to complete the hours within the 5-year period will result in your credential becoming inactive and suspended until the requirement is met.
This requirement applies only to credentials issued from July 1, 2013, onward. However, we encourage all credential holders to aim for 50 hours of PD every 5 years to invest in their professional growth.
Qualifying Events
AMS Events
Take advantage of AMS professional development opportunities, including in-person events like The Montessori Event and symposia, as well as on-demand videos, online classes, and certificate programs. These events offer Montessori-specific learning to meet a range of needs and interests.
Other Events
Explore relevant professional development from other organizations, schools, and groups that meet our guidelines.
Completed hours can be recorded as contact hours, CPDs, CEUs, or credit hours:
- 1 hour of professional development will be considered equivalent to 1 CPD hour, unless otherwise noted by the host organization.
- For coursework completed at an accredited college or university, 1 credit hour will be counted as 15 hours of continuing professional development.
- CEUs are counted as equivalent to CPDs, unless otherwise defined within an event’s documentation.
Guidelines for Qualifying Events
Qualifying events can be in-person or online and must address relevant topics. Keep written verification from the host as proof of attendance.
Qualifying Topics
- Montessori education and philosophy/pedagogy
- Child development
- Classroom management
- Curriculum
- Education for peace and social justice
- Education policy/public policy
- Education research
- Health, safety, and nutrition (excluding CPR, first aid, and unrelated exercise/yoga classes)
- Leadership skills
- Service learning
- Special education and learning differences
- Technology training for teaching or computer skills
TEP Instructors and Directors
If you are an instructor or director of an AMS-affiliated teacher education program, you must complete 30 hours of continuing professional development every 3 years, and capture this information in your teacher education program’s Annual Report. You may apply these hours to the PD requirement for credential holders, above.
Did you know?
AMS offers CPD Record of Attendance certificates to individuals seeking education credits. If you are an organization that hosts qualifying professional development events, we encourage you to submit your event.
AMS FAQs
Do the credit hours I acquire for my state teaching license count toward my continuing professional development requirement?
Yes.
Do college credits count toward my professional development requirement, and if so, how many continuing professional development hours are they worth?
Coursework completed at an accredited college or university counts toward your continuing professional development hours. One credit hour will be counted as 15 hours of continuing professional development.
Does AMS offer group rates for professional development?
Our school membership offers teacher bundling rates. Learn more about school membership here.
How can I get professional development hours or opportunities through AMS?
AMS members have access to free and discounted professional development via our an online professional development platform called AMS Learning that features both an on-demand video library, as well as opportunities to participate in live programs. Explore our extensive live class calendar here, and the on-demand video library here.
There are also opportunities to earn professional development hours by attending in-person events such as The Montessori Event and Regional Symposia and Labposium, certificate programs, and more. We offer thought-provoking, Montessori-relevant professional development tailored to a comprehensive range of needs and interests. If you are looking to request a record of attendance for an event, or see if an event you attended qualifies towards the 50 hour professional development requirement for credential holders, please visit this page.
Are there scholarships for me to take a professional development class?
Yes, we do offer scholarships. For more information, please visit this page.
Do I receive professional development (PD) certifcates for attending AMS Learning Live?
Our webinars are free for all, but only members receive certificates.
How do I know if an event qualifies towards professional development hours?
Events that qualify for the AMS professional development requirement may be face-to-face or online, and may address any of the topics listed below. The event host must provide written verification attesting to your participation. Be sure to hold onto it; it is your proof of attendance.
For a complete list of events, please visit our Professional Development Requirement page.
How do I know that my tracking form showing my professional development hours has been received by AMS and approved?
We will send you confirmation that we’ve received it. If you do not receive the confirmation, contact us.
We will send you a second email after we’ve reviewed your hours, either to notify you that they’ve been approved to request clarification or additional hours.
How do I reactivate my credential?
Fulfill the 50-hour professional development requirement and log the information using our professional development submission form, which is accessible when you log into your AMS portal. The link to the submission form is on the Professional Development Requirement page. Upon approval of your professional development, we will reactivate your credential.
How do I request for AMS attendance hours for professional development (professional development) I attended?
To see if your event qualifies, and to learn how to request record of attendance check out this page.
How many hours of professional development do I need to maintain my AMS credential?
You must complete 50 hours of continuing professional development every 5 years for the credential to remain active. The first 5-year period begins on the date your credential was issued.
Once you have completed your 50 hours of professional development, we require that you log your hours on our Professional Development Submission Form, which is accessible when you log into your AMS portal. The link to the submission form is on the Professional Development Requirement page.
If you are an instructor or director of an AMS-affiliated teacher education program, you must complete 30 hours of continuing professional development every 3 years, and capture this information in your teacher education program’s Annual Report.
Learn more on our Professional Development Requirement page.
If I don’t earn 50 hours of professional development in the time required, will my credential expire?
Your credential will become inactive—not expired.
My school is going to pay for my professional development (professional development) – how do they do it?
Please reach out to your school for this information. They may have a school membership, AMS member schools qualify for discounts or free access to professional development.. Visit our membership page for more information.
When do I need to begin logging professional development hours to maintain my credential?
You need to begin logging your professional development hours in the first 5-year period of receiving your credential. Educator credentials require 50 professional development hours, and administrator credentials require 30 professional development hours every 3 years. Learn more on our Professional Development Requirement page.
AMS Members can track their professional development hours on their professional development hours submission form, which is accessible when you log into your AMS portal. The link to the submission form is on the Professional Development Requirement page.
When I log my hours, can I save my progress or must I complete them all in one sitting?
You can save your progress. Think of the system as a digital file cabinet. You may log your hours after they occur. Once you reach 50 hours, you can submit them for approval.
Where do I find my professional development hours?
For Library videos on our AMS Learning platform
For AMS classes and programs
For AMS events
If you have been tracking your hours in your membership portal, you can find the tracker here – have your username and password ready, logging in is required.
Who do I contact if I have feedback about a professional development class?
Email pd@amshq.org
Will my school pay for professional development (PD)?
Yes, nearly all AMS member schools support professional development – check with your school to find out if they will pay for your AMS professional development.