Pathways to Licensure for Teachers from Another Country
Educators who are prepared in another country may be eligible for an educator license in Wisconsin. Eligibility is determined based on the general requirements for a Wisconsin educator license.
Options for Licensure:
Please note the guest teacher license does not lead to a higher-tiered license and is limited to three years with one three-year renewal. Renewals are not allowed for special education due to provisions in federal law.
Credential Evaluation
Prospective applicants must first contact a professional evaluation service agency for a course-by-course evaluation of their credentials. The credentialing agency will need to determine whether an applicant has completed the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.The credentialing agency will also provide information as to whether the applicant completed a teacher training program, course equivalencies, and translation of course titles.
The department recognizes those on the list below The department does not accept credential evaluations from agencies other than those recognized below. Please contact each agency directly for more information including their fee information for a review. For institutions of higher education the Department of Public Instruction will also recognize the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) members.
Under state law applicants must possess a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university. If your credential evaluation demonstrates that you have acquired a professional degree (e.g. doctor, dentist, lawyer), but do not hold the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution you do not hold a bachelor's degree that will make you eligible for licensure. The bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution provides a broad educational foundation including science, social studies, language arts/communication, and math.
If you completed an approved program in an American territory (American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, or Virgin Islands) you are not required to have a credential evaluation completed. Transcripts must be in English.
If applying for a Three-Year Short-Term Substitute Teacher Permit the applicant may provide a credential evaluation summary in lieu of a course by course evaluation indicating the acquisition of an associate's degree or higher.
Contact the licensing help desk with questions or comments regarding your license, general licensing questions including information found on this page, or to contact us about someone else.