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Educator License Application Forms


Be sure to use the correct application form. When renewing, first confirm your License Type (a 2 digit code) on your License Lookup record. This will help you choose the correct application form for your situation.

Forms - Quick Scroll
PI-1602-5R PI-1602-ADV PI-1602-STP PI-1602-IS PI-1602-AD PI-1602-AD1 PI-1602-OS PI-1602-EL
PI-1602-SP PI-1602-NP PI-1602-PA PI-1602-DUP PI-1602-2R PI-1612 PI-1613

Some applicants must submit two different forms because each type of process (e.g. initial in-state, renewal, emergency) requires a separate application and processing fee.

  • Example 1: To renew a professional educator license and also apply for an emergency license, submit a PI-1602-5R and a PI-1602-EL with a $100 fee for each ($200 fee total).
  • Example 2: To apply for an Initial Educator license in administration and renew existing teaching licenses, submit a PI-1602-AD and a PI-1602-5R form with a $100 fee for each ($200 fee total).
  • More information is available in Frequently Asked Questions - Licensing.

CAREFULLY READ ALL DIRECTIONS BEFORE YOU BEGIN

DO NOT APPLY FOR A LICENSE THAT WILL BEGIN ON JULY 1 UNTIL AT LEAST JANUARY 1 OF THAT SAME YEAR.

  1. Application forms are PDF except intern licenses. Open the form on-screen and use "fill-in" features when possible to produce a correctly completed and legible application that DP can process more quickly.
  2. Verify that Acrobat Reader version 7.0 or newer is installed on your computer.
  3. Review how to open and enter information into a PDF Fill-in form.
  4. Conform to DPI printing requirements for application forms.
  5. Read the descriptors below each form title to be sure you use the correct form.
  6. When completing form fields by hand, use black or blue ink only.
  7. Print a copy of the entire application form before closing the PDF form since Reader software will not save information entered into a Fill-in PDF form.
  8. Application forms may be photocopied, but use white paper only and one side only, not "back-to-back."
  9. A background check is part of every application process. Question 12 on the PI-1602-A Conduct and Competency Review may require fingerprints submission. If so, see information on electronic fingerprinting and/or obtaining DPI-coded fingerprint cards.
  10. Important: Attach your payment or credit card authorization on top of the application form and related documentation.
    Mail to DPI's Milwaukee bank address. (Payments cannot be processed in Madison.)
    Do not attempt to e-mail or fax applications to DPI's Madison office.
    DPI - Educator Licensing
    Drawer 794
    Milwaukee, WI 53293-0794.

    Keep a copy of the entire application and all documentation for your records.
  11. Note: If you need to submit any documentation to DPI in a mailing separate from your original application form and fee (e.g. institutional endorsements, transcripts, employment verifications, fingerprint cards), see Mailing Documentation Separately for instructions.

PI-1602 LICENSE APPLICATION FORMS

PDF forms require Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0 or newer and a printer capable of producing a high quality 8 1/2" x 11" paper copy. DPI cannot provide technical support for computer/printer/hardware/software problems, so contact us if a paper copy is needed. When renewing a license, you may find it helpful to print the License Renewal Reference Guide.

5-Year or Professional Educator Renewal - PI-1602-5R PDF Document FAQ - Renewal FAQ - Professional Growth Requirement

  • Renew all 5-year or Professional Educator (teacher, administrator, pupil services) Licenses without stipulations (license types 30, 31, 33, 40, 41, and 43).
    Note: If your Professional Educator License was issued with Stipulations (license types 32, 36, 41, 42 or 07), you must use the PI-1602-STP Stipulation Removal application form.
    If you hold an Initial Educator License (license type 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26 or 27), you must use the PI-1602-ADV or PI-1602-STP application form.
  • Apply for a 1-year extension of a 5-year Professional Educator License (without stipulations).
  • Reactivate a 5-year educator license which has expired.
  • Substitute Teaching Licenses
    • Renew a 5-year substitute teaching license (license type 60). FAQ - Substitute License
    • Apply for a 5-year substitute teaching license based on an expired educator license.
    • Renew a Professional Educator License (without stipulations) for substitute teaching only.
  • Renew a 5-year license for Orientation and Mobility, School Audiologist, Indian Language, Indian History & Culture, Indian Home-School Coordinator, or Trade Specialist (License Type 05). Professional Growth Requirement for Renewal MS Word document
    Note: Occupational Therapists and Assistants, Physical Therapists and Assistants use PI-1602-NP to renew.
    Special Education Aides use PI-1602-PA to renew.
  • Apply for or renew a Master Educator License (license type 50) based on NBPTS certification. Include documentation from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards that you have passed their certification.

Initial Educator Advancement or Reissuance - PI-1602-ADV PDF Document
(Includes one PI-1613 Employment Verification Form. If needed, additional PI-1613 Employment Verifications Form may be printed separately (see Supplementary Forms below). (NOTE: This form is PDF, but the first two pages are not yet in "fillable" format.)

  • Apply for advancement of an Initial Educator License (Administration, Teaching, or Pupil Services category) without stipulations (license types 20, 21 or 25) to a Professional Educator License after all requirements are met.
    Requires verification of:
    • Completion of three years of regular (not substitute) employment experience in the applicable category (Documented on a PI-1613 Employment Verification Form)
    • Completion of a Professional Development Plan (PDP) (At least two of the three PDP review team members must verify successful completion on the PI-PDP-2 PDP Verification Form.)
  • Apply for reissuance or an extension of an Initial Educator License (license types 20, 21 or 25) if all advancement requirements were not met.

Stipulation Removal - PI-1602-STP PDF Document
(Includes one PI-1613 Employment Verification Form. Additional PI-1613 Employment Verification forms or a PI-1612 Institutional Endorsement form, if needed, may be printed separately (see Supplementary Forms below). (NOTE: This form is PDF, but the first three pages are not yet in "fillable" format.)

  • Request removal of stipulations from an educator license with stipulations (license types 07, 22, 26, 27, 32, 36, 41, 42). Requires proof of completion of all stipulations (include PI-1612 and/or PI-1613 form(s) when applicable) and proof of completion of the professional development requirement outlined on your license certificate. Also see FAQ - License Stipulations.
  • Request reissuance of an Initial Educator License with Stipulations (license type 22 or 27).

Initial In-State Teaching or Pupil Services - PI-1602-IS PDF Document
Graduates of Wisconsin educator preparation programs only.

  • Apply for an Initial Educator teaching license.
  • Apply for a 5-year substitute teaching license only - applicants who never held a Wisconsin Initial Educator or 5-year teaching license but did complete an approved Wisconsin program.
  • Apply for an Initial Educator pupil services license (School Counselor, School Psychologist, School Social Worker, School Nurse).
  • Apply for a library media specialist (902) license.

Initial In-State Administration or Reading - PI-1602-AD PDF Document
Graduates of Wisconsin educator preparation programs only.
(Includes one PI-1613 Employment Verification form. Photocopy as needed or print additional copies - see Supplementary Forms below.)

  • Apply for an Initial Educator license in Administration (Superintendent, Principal, Director of Instruction, Director of Special Education/Pupil Services, Library Media Supervisor, Career and Technical Education Coordinator, Instructional Technology Coordinator, Reading Specialist, Program Coordinator). Must hold or be eligible to hold a Wisconsin Professional Educator license in teaching and have three years of teaching experience or a Wisconsin Professional Educator license in pupil services, have three years of pupil services employment experience, and 540 hours of classroom instruction experience.
  • Apply for an Initial Educator license in School Business Administration.
  • Apply for an Initial Educator reading teacher license. Must hold or be eligible to hold a Wisconsin teaching license and have two years of teaching experience.
    If experience verification is required, send a completed Employment Verification Form (PI-1613) to each education employer.

1-Year Administrator - PI-1602-AD1 PDF Document
(Includes one PI-1612 Institutional Assurances/Endorsement Form and one PI-1613 Employment Verification Form. Photocopy as needed or print additional copies — see Supplementary Formsbelow.)
Must be currently enrolled in a state-approved program leading to licensure as a Superintendent, School Business Administrator, Principal, Director of Instruction, Director of Special Education/Pupil Services, Library Media Supervisor, Career and Technical Education Coordinator, Instructional Technology Coordinator, or Reading Specialist).

** School board request required. ** Page 2b Board Request MS Word document

Initial Out-of-State - PI-1602-OS PDF Document FAQ - Out of State Preparation FAQ - On-Line Programs
Graduates of non-Wisconsin educator preparation programs (including on-line programs)
(Includes one PI-1612 and one PI-1613. Photocopy as needed or print additional copies — see below.)

  • Apply for a Wisconsin Educator License (Teaching, Substitute Teaching, Pupil Services, Administration).
  • Request fingerprint cards.
  • Send a completed Institutional Endorsement Form (PI-1612) to each college/university attended.
    Important: If you completed your educator preparation program after 8/31/04, you must verify successful completion of Wisconsin's content area test(s). See Testing Information for details.
  • Send a completed Employment Verification Form (PI-1613) to each education employer.
    Employment Note: If you were not employed in the teaching profession in the past five years, you must complete six semester credits of refresher work. Submit original transcripts or grade reports with your application.
  • Use the PI-1602-OS Checklist to ensure a complete application that DPI can process.

Emergency License or Permit - PI-1602-EL PDF Document   ** See DPI policy on Requests for Emergency Permits and Special Licenses.
(NOTE: This form is PDF, but not a "fill-in" format.)

** District request required. ** Page 2b Justification FormMS Word document

  • Apply for, or renew, a 1-year emergency permit (type 09)- bachelor's degree, not licensed as a teacher).
  • Apply for, or renew, a 1-year emergency license (type 10) - out-of-field teaching assignment.
  • Apply for, or renew, a 1-year long-term substitute permit or license - over 20 consecutive days in same assignment.
  • DO NOT use the PI-1602-EL to request a 3-year Short-Term Substitute Permit. These requests must be made on the PI-1602-SP form.
  • DO NOT use the PI-1602-EL to request a 1-year Administrator License for which a school board request is required. These license requests must be made on the PI-1602-AD1 form.

Short-Term Substitute Permit — PI-1602-SP PDF Document     FAQ - Substitute Permit
(NOTE: This form is PDF, but not a "fill-in" format.)

** District request required. ** ** See More information on Substitute Permits.

  • Apply for, or renew, a 3-year short-term substitute permit (type 13) - for substitute teaching staff with a bachelor's degree, not licensed as a teacher).

Licenses Not Requiring an Approved Education Program — PI-1602-NP PDF Document   (To request an emergency license, use PI-1602-EL).

  • Apply for a first-time initial Educational Interpreter, Orientation and Mobility Teacher, or School Audiologist license.
    You must include transcripts with your application form.     (Use PI-1602-5R to renew these licenses.)
  • Apply for, or renew, a School Occupational Therapist or School Physical Therapist License (license type 05).
    Be sure to include your Department of Regulation and Licensing (DRL) license number and/or a copy of the wallet card issued by DRL with your application.
  • Apply for, or renew, a School Occupational or Physical Therapy Assistant License..
    Be sure to include your Department of Regulation and Licensing (DRL)license number and/or a copy of the wallet card issued by DRL with your application.
  • Dept. of Regulation and Licensing (DRL) License Look-up - School Occupational Therapists/Therapy Assistants and School Physical Therapists/Therapy Assistants licenses issued by DPI require current licensure by DRL.

Special Education Program Aide - PI-1602-PA PDF Document   FAQ - Aide License.

** District request required. **
  • Apply for, or renew, a Special Education Program Aide license.

Request For Duplicate Educator License — PI-1602-DUP PDF Document Also see FAQ - Name Changes
(NOTE: This form is PDF, but not a "fill-in" format.)

  • Apply for a duplicate copy of any current license certificate. The fee for a duplicate license is $50.
  • As a quick and cost-free alternative to submitting the 1602-DUP request, you may print verification of your licensure from DPI's License Lookup.
  • Revalidate a life license (license type 08). A life license is invalid if for five or more consecutive years, the holder is not actively employed in a position in the teaching profession. Revalidation requires submission of original grade reports or transcripts verifying successful completion of six semester credits along with the PI-1602-DUP and the $50 processing fee. Also see FAQ - Life Licenses.

Supplementary Forms PDF Document

See your PI-1602 application form instructions for specific PI-1612 and/or PI-1613 requirements.

Not Sure Which Application Form to Use for Your Situation?
See relevant topic areas under Licensing FAQS or phone 1-800-266-1027.

Problems Printing an Application Form?
You may request that a paper copy of any application form listed above be mailed to you. Include the complete form number in your request.

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Direct questions about, and requests for, application forms to Educator Licensing or phone 1-800-266-1027.

Last updated on 1/28/2010 3:17:06 PM