Certification Nullification
The Revised School Code, effective July 1, 1996, contains a substantially
revised section pertaining to certification nullification, the process by which
a certified teacher may nullify his or her certificate or nullify one or more
endorsements or a grade level certification included in the teaching certificate.
The language is Section 1532(5) states upon the request of a teacher the State
Board immediately shall nullify that teacher’s teaching certificate.
Upon the request of a teacher, the State Board may nullify one or more endorsements
on the teaching certificate, or a grade level certification included in the
teaching certificate if the grade level certification has not been used for
12 or more years.
A teacher who wishes to nullify one or more endorsements of a certificate merely
writes a letter of request to the Michigan Department of Education’s
Professional Preparation Services. The teacher subsequently is sent a form
letter confirming that the request has been received and describing what the
newly issued certificate would include. The teacher is asked to sign and date
that form and return it to the Department. When the form is received, the Department
issues a new certificate, at no cost. The applicant’s school district
is notified of the nullification request.
Although individuals may nullify endorsements or grade level certifications,
the resulting certificate must be one that the Department would issue. For
example, an individual may not obtain a certificate that eliminates third grade.
Also, once such changes are made, they are permanent. The Department is not
authorized to "reinstate, reissue, or renew" a certificate, endorsement,
or grade level certification once it has been nullified. Before applying for
nullification, applicants are urged to consider all ramifications to their
current employment.
The entire process can be completed in one month or less.