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Out of State Pathways

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Wisconsin offers various pathways for applicants who completed an out-of-state preparation program seeking teacher, administrator, and pupil services (school counselor, school psychologist, school social worker) licensure.

Who is an Out-of-State applicant?

The location of the completed educator preparation program for teachers, pupil services, and/or administrators determines the type of application required, regardless of where the applicant lives. If the applicant completed a:

  • program headquartered OUTSIDE of Wisconsin (including online and out-of-country) - Review the Out-of-State information below and complete the Out-of-State application process.
  • program headquartered IN Wisconsin - Applicants should use the In-State application.


General requirements per credential type are outlined below.
Each flowchart resource provides:

  • scenarios to help determine the appropriate license application for you
  • a checklist of the needed documentation to be submitted for each pathway, and
  • a link to the appropriate Educator Licensing Online (ELO) application instructions. 

Teachers

  • bachelor's degree or higher
  • state-approved educator preparation program:
    •  accredited four-year college or university
    • offered at the bachelor’s, post-baccalaureate, or master’s degree level
    • comparable to Wisconsin's requirements
    • approved by the state education department where program is headquartered
  • Any test score(s) required for licensure in the state where you completed your educator preparation program(s) and all tests required for Wisconsin licensure

Application fee

$175

Resulting License Type

Tier II Provisional

Administrators

  • master's degree or higher
  • state-approved educator preparation program:
    • accredited four-year college or university
    • offered at the master’s, education specialist, or doctorate level
    • comparable to Wisconsin's requirements
    • approved by the state education department where program is headquartered
  • Any test score(s) required for licensure in the state where you completed your educator preparation program(s) and all tests required for Wisconsin licensure

Application fee

$175

Resulting License Type

Tier II Provisional

Pupil Services

  • educational requirements vary per specialty area (LINK TO MORE DETAILS)
  • state-approved pupil services program:
    • accredited four-year college or university
    • offered at the master’s, education specialist, or doctorate level
    • comparable to Wisconsin's requirements
    • approved by the state education department where program is headquartered
  • Any test score(s) required for licensure in the state where you completed your educator preparation program(s) and all tests required for Wisconsin licensure

Application fee

$175

Resulting License Type

Tier II Provisional

Review the appropriate flowchart above for the documents needed for upload when completing the application for a license, as well as direct links to the respective Educator Licensing Online (ELO) application instructions.


Notes and related information

  • Check out our current licensing processing times. Ensure the fastest possible review time by uploading all required documents when you apply.
  • Upon application review, DPI will determine and issue the most similar license subject for which you are currently eligible.
  • For Frequently Asked Questions about the Out-of-State Pathway see Frequently Asked Questions - Out-of-State .

Submit questions and comments about this information to the Licensing Online Help desk.