Licensure Exam Prep Program
Unlock the path to computer science licensure
Ready to take the next step in your teaching career? The Ohio STEM Learning Network’s Licensure Exam Prep Program helps current and aspiring computer science teachers earn their supplemental license in Ohio.
This fast-paced, guided study program combines live virtual sessions with self-paced online learning to help you deepen your computer science knowledge and prepare for the Ohio Assessments for Educators: Computer Science (054).
Applications for this program are now closed.
Key elements
- In-depth learning: Access essential exam content anytime with our on-demand course featuring 50+ hours of video instruction, practice activities, and more.
- Expert guidance and collaborative study: Participate in ten 90-minute virtual study group sessions, held on alternating Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. starting January 13, 2026. Led by experienced instructors, these sessions will keep you on track and help you prepare effectively.
- Flexible options: Combine self-paced online units with interactive group study sessions focused on the content areas where you need the most support.
- Exam-aligned curriculum: The program is carefully crafted to align with the four domains and 11 sub-strands found on the Ohio Assessments for Educators: Computer Science (054).
Program details
Applications are now closed.
Commitments
Thanks to the Teach CS Grants, the $990 program fee per participant has been waived.Â
While this program is designed to be flexible to participant’s needs, it is a fast-paced, guided study program for current or aspiring computer science teachers. Participants should have some prior computer science knowledge and plan to spend approximately 3–5 hours per asynchronous unit.
Program participants are expected to:
- Complete a pre-assessment to identify your strengths and focus areas, and a post-assessment to measure readiness for the licensure exam.
- Join ten 90-minute sessions on alternating Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m., from January to May. Participants can attend the sessions most relevant to their needs based on their pre-assessment results.
- Complete online units (approx. 3–5 hours each) that match your individual needs as indicated by your pre-assessment and prior CS knowledge.
- Sit for the exam by June 30, 2026.
Deadlines
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until November 26, 2025 or all seats are filled.
Eligibility
- Hold a currently valid, standard Ohio teaching certificate or license (Sub-licenses do not qualify)
- Employed in a teaching position requiring the supplemental license in Computer Science in an Ohio school
- Have some prior computer science content knowledge
- Ready to work towards completing the content assessment for the licensure area (Computer Science Ohio Assessment Exam 054) and earn your supplemental license.
Schedule
The program begins in January 2026 and ends in May 2026.
Live virtual sessions will be held from 7:30-9:00 PM on:
- January 13 and 27
- February 10 and 24
- March 10 and 24
- April 7 and 21
- May 5 and 12
The program also includes asynchronous tasks and activities that participants complete on their own schedule.
Facilitators
Jenny NickolÂ
Jeff Rhodes
Technology Education Teacher at North Royalton High SchoolÂ
23nd year teaching and seventh year teaching computer scienceÂ
What’s next after completing this exam prep program?
Step 1: Schedule, take, and pass your Computer Science Ohio Assessment Exam (reimbursement is offered through ESC partners upon evidence of sitting for the exam)
Step 2: Apply for your supplemental license.
After completing a minimum of two years of mentored teaching in Computer Science, you may apply to add Computer Science to your standard license. Verification can be a letter from your superintendent or your human resource director verifying dates of full-time employment, assignments and grade levels for each year of employment under the supplemental license. While you must have an assigned mentor during your two years under the supplemental license, the the mentor may hold a license in a related content area if you have no one in your district with a computer science license.Â
The program team can help you navigate who you might ask to serve as your mentor.Â
If you wish to add additional grade levels to your existing license, you may be required to take a pedagogy course relevant to these additional grade levels.
Supplemental licensure for computer science in Ohio
Supplemental licensure is one of four ways in Ohio to earn licensure in computer science. This route allows schools to offer Computer Science immediately while providing support and mentoring to an existing teacher.
To be eligible, the teacher must:
- Hold a currently valid, standard Ohio teaching certificate or license;
- Be employed in a teaching position requiring the supplemental licensure area in an Ohio school; AND
- Successfully complete the content assessment for the licensure area (Computer Science Ohio Assessment Exam 054).