License Types and Requirements
All license types, eligibility, and renewal requirements are listed in state statute. General requirements for educator licensing in Wisconsin, unless otherwise specified:
- Minimum of a bachelor’s degree.
- Completion of an approved educator preparation program, and meeting all applicable Wisconsin statutory and testing requirements.
- Satisfactory background checks.
License Stages
Educator licenses issued under Wis. Admin. Code PI 34 are based on the following license stages and tiers:
- Provisional Educator License, Tier II
Educators who completed an approved educator preparation program for the first time in a license category (Teaching, Administrator or Pupil Services) after September 23, 2017, will be issued a provisional educator license for each license within that category.
- Lifetime Educator License, Tier III
A lifetime educator license may be issued to educators who successfully completed at least six semesters of experience in the category of their provisional educator license and have completed all statutory requirements.
- Master Educator License, Tier IV
This optional lifetime license may be issued to educators who successfully completed a National Board Certification by National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) or a Wisconsin Master Educator Assessment Process (WMEAP).
License Areas
The following are license areas for Educator Licenses issued under Wis. Admin. Code PI 34:
- Administrator
- Pupil Services
- Teacher
- Supplementary Teacher
- Other Licenses
Grade Ranges
Educator licenses issued under Wis. Admin. Code PI 34 are based on the following grade ranges:
| Teaching Areas | Grade Ranges |
|---|---|
| Early Childhood (Regular Education and Special Education) | Birth - 3 |
| Elementary and Middle School | Kindergarten - 9 |
| Middle and High School | 4 - 12 |
| Prekindergarten through grade 12 | PK - 12 |
| Kindergarten through grade 12 Cross-Categorical Special Education | K - 12 |
License Effective Dates
Provisional educator licenses are issued for a period of three years, with typical effective dates starting July 1, ending June 30. These licenses may be renewed an unlimited number of times.
If an applicant completes a state-approved program after September 1, the license may be issued with an effective date that corresponds with the program completion date. The license will be valid until June 30 following the third full school year.