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. New teachers must meet these standards to maintain employment

View the teacher standards

In 2002, the Legislature transferred responsibility for teacher relicensing to the HTSB. Teachers must renew their teaching license every five years to maintain employment. The rules and procedures for relicensing currently await approval by the Governor.

View relicensing rules

HTSB Board members

By statute, the thirteen-member Board is comprised of classroom teachers, school administrators, the Dean of the UH College of Education and the Chair of the Board of Education. The Governor appoints the teacher and administrator representatives to three-year terms while the Dean and BOE Chair serve by virtue of their office.

The Board currently employs Executive Director Sharon Mahoe and a staff of seven.

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; and

provide more accountability to the public