Educator License Application Processing Timeline

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR RENEWAL APPLICANTS: June 30 License Expiration Date:
If you submitted a complete, accurate application for renewal but have not yet received a new license from the department, your previous license does not expire until DPI has completed processing of your application. If you need verification that your license renewal is in process, use a printed copy of the License Look-up which shows the date your most recent application was received at DPI.   ('When an applicant has made a timely and accurate application for the renewal of a license or a new license of a continuing nature, the existing license does not expire until the application has been finally acted upon by DPI.' [Ch. 227.51 (2), Wis. Stats.]

June, July and August are extremely busy. Please allow at least three to four weeks after mailing your application for our website to reflect receipt of the application. This time is needed for payment processing at our bank, forwarding of your application materials to the Madison office and data entry into our licensing system.

Complete applications, those with all information and documentation supplied and included with the original application submission can be processed much more quickly than incomplete applications where information/documentation is missing, submitted separately or must be requested by the department. Responding promptly to department requests for information or clarification will minimize any additional time needed to process your application. No exceptions are made to the information required since it is prescribed by state statute and administrative code.

Depending on the type of license requested and the completeness and accuracy of the materials submitted, processing will take from three to fourteen weeks before a license can be issued. You should expect processing of your application to take approximately the number of weeks listed below from the time that we have received all required application materials and documentation.

• 5-year or Professional Educator Renewals/Advancement - 6-8 weeks
• Initial In-State (Graduates of Wisconsin programs) - 8-10 weeks
• Initial Out of State (Graduates of Non-Wisconsin programs) - 12-14 weeks
• Emergency Licenses and Permits - 8-9 weeks
• Substitute Permits and Aide Licenses (Initial or Renewal) - 4 weeks

When applicants call with questions about application processing and license status, DPI licensing consultants use the license search website as the primary source of information. Unless you are notified that your application is incomplete, you should assume that it is in process and that a license certificate will be issued and mailed to you as soon as our staff complete the necessary review.

Further questions about application processing should be directed to Educator Licensing.

Last updated on 8/5/2008 3:27:53 PM