Wisconsin Licensure for Out-of-State* Educators

(*Graduates of non-Wisconsin Educator Preparation Programs)

BASIS OF WISCONSIN LICENSURE

The department grants licenses to applicants who complete educator preparation programs outside of Wisconsin, including on-line programs, if the preparation program completed meets the following:

• Is an institution of higher education that grants at least a bachelor's degree and is *regionally accredited;
• Offers a license program in a field for which Wisconsin has a license and rules;
• Has comparable degree and teaching major/minor requirements to those prescribed by Wisconsin Administrative Code PI 34 and is equivalent in content and scope to approved programs offered by Wisconsin institutions.
• Is approved in accordance with the statutes and administrative rules of the state in which the campus headquarters is located.
• Qualifies the graduate for full licensure in the state in which the campus headquarters is located. Please note: if the testing requirements are different from Wisconsin, the applicant needs to complete both states' testing requirements.**

If the preparation program meets the above criteria, the applicant may submit a license application (PI 1602-OS) for evaluation to TEPDL.

* Regional accreditation is provided by associations of schools and colleges. There are six recognized regional associations:

• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools of Higher Education
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
• Northwest Association of Colleges and Schools
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges

** Eligible applicants may receive a one-year, non-renewable license and complete our test within the period of that license so they may hold regular employment.

For more information about Wisconsin educator licensing based on out-of-state preparation, see FAQs - Initial Wisconsin Licensure and FAQs - License Stipulations or Deficiencies.

WISCONSIN LICENSES FOR NON-WISCONSIN GRADUATES (Out-of-State Applicants)

Applicants who graduated from non-Wisconsin preparation programs are commonly issued a Wisconsin license with minor coursework deficiencies/stipulations. Under Wisconsin PI 34 Rules, Out-of-State program completers may be issued one of the following licenses:

• Professional Educator with Stipulations — For applicants who completed an approved program on or before August 31, 2004.
• Initial Educator with Stipulations — For applicants who completed an approved program for the first time in a license category (teaching, pupil services, administration) after August 31, 2004.
  
  
• Substitute Teaching License (with Stipulations) — For applicants who are eligible for a Wisconsin license but have been out of the K-12 profession for five years or more. Also see FAQs - Substitute Licenses and Permits.

"OUT-OF-STATE" APPLICATION PROCESS — Graduates of non-Wisconsin programs and never licensed in Wisconsin.

Applicants completing approved preparation programs (meeting criteria above) outside Wisconsin may download and submit a PI-1602-OS - "Out of State" application application form. You must also request fingerprint cards.

If you are unable to download the application form, you may request our office mail a complete application packet and instructions by e-mailing Educator Licensing. Be sure to include your full name and mailing address, with your request for "Out-of-State" application materials (form PI-1602-OS). You may also request application materials on our voice mail system at 1-608-266-1027 or 1-800-266-1027. Fingerprint cards are included in the "Out-of-State" application packet which will be mailed to you.

The certifying officer of the college where the state-approved program was completed must certify the applicant for Wisconsin licensure by completing and signing/endorsing a Wisconsin PI-1612 Institutional Endorsement and Assurances form which is included in the application form. If you completed an educator preparation program in a foreign country, you do not need to provide the PI-1612 form but will need a credential evaluation from an approved foreign credential company.

Before submitting your application, review the PI-1602-OS Submission Checklist for common errors and omissions to ensure that your application is complete. Incomplete applications result in additional correspondence and submissions which greatly extend the time required for processing. If you receive correspondence from the department indicating that additional information or documentation is required, please respond promptly.

IMPORTANT NOTE:   The processing time for a COMPLETE application varies depending on the time of year. Your application is not considered COMPLETE until the department has received all forms, documentation, and information needed to process it.

WISCONSIN LICENSEE/GRADUATES LIVING OUTSIDE WISCONSIN

Applicants who currently reside outside Wisconsin, but who at one time held a regular 5-year Wisconsin teaching license, should use the downloadable form PI-1602-5R to apply for License Renewal to "reactivate" a Wisconsin license. Wisconsin's Professional Growth Requirement for license renewal must be met and you must request Fingerprint Cards.

Graduates of Wisconsin educator preparation programs who never obtained a Wisconsin educator license should apply for "Initial Licensure" using downloadable form PI-1602-IS rather than the "Out-of-State" application. Such applicants who are requesting a Substitute License only should use the PI-1602-IS rather than the PI-1602-5R. Attach a note to the application that you are requesting a substitute license only if that is the case. See Frequently Asked Questions, dpi.wi.gov/tepdl/fqldlay.html. You must request Fingerprint Cards.

For more information about Teacher education and approved licenses, see Wisconsin Administrative Code PI 34.

Direct questions about this topic to Educator Licensing.

Last updated on 7/1/2008 1:36:45 PM