I am a teacher who attended a conference to gain credits for renewing my teaching license. Can I deduct the fee for the conference itself?

[MargaretL]

Yes, you can deduct "ordinary and necessary" expenses for attending business conferences if they are directly related to your job or profession.  With some limitations, those expenses include travel, lodging, meal and fees., For example, cost of conference training materials and fee is deductible, but travel where you attend conference and take extra days for a mini-vacation is limited - you cannot deduct lodging expenses for your personal days, for example.

For employees, it is a job-related expense: 

1. Federal Taxes
2. Deductions & Credits (you may have to select See all tax breaks)
3. Employment Expenses
4. Job-Expenses for W2 Income