WI certification
Wisconsin teacher certification
Teaching credentials in Wisconsin
Each row is a credential Wisconsin reported to Title II. Initial means a first credential for a new teacher. Years is the length of validity.
| Credential | Initial | Years | Renewable | Grade levels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier I, 1-year renewable license with stipulations | No | 1 | Yes | PK-12, PK-12, PK-12 |
| Tier I, 3-year district sponsored license with stipulations | No | 3 | No | PK-12, PK-12, PK-12 |
| Tier I, charter school license | No | 5 | Yes | PK-12, PK-12, PK-12 |
| Tier I, experienced-based license for technical and vocational education subjects | No | 3 | No | PK-12, PK-12, PK-12 |
| Tier I, guest teacher license | No | 3 | Yes | PK-12, PK-12, PK-12 |
| Tier I, long term substitute teacher license | No | 5 | Yes | PK-12, PK-12, PK-12 |
| Tier I, professional teaching permit | No | 2 | Yes | 9-12 |
| Tier I, short-term substitute teacher license | No | 3 | Yes | PK-12, PK-12, PK-12 |
| Tier I, special education program aid license | No | 5 | Yes | PK-12, PK-12, PK-12 |
| Tier II military spouse license | No | 3 | No | Not reported |
| Tier II provisional educator license | Yes | 3 | Yes | PK-12, PK-12, PK-12 |
| Tier III lifetime license | No | 5 | Yes | PK-12, PK-12, PK-12 |
| Tier IV master educator license | No | 5 | Yes | PK-12, PK-12, PK-12 |
Requirements
Yes means the state reports the item as required for that credential. Tests shows only whether tests are required; Title II does not name the tests.
| Credential | Bachelor's | Master's | Education degree | Prep program | Tests | Performance assessment | Clinical | Coursework | Credit hours | Min. GPA | Transcripts | Employment | Mentoring | Recency | Background check | Fingerprint | Police check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier I, 1-year renewable license with stipulations | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Tier I, 3-year district sponsored license with stipulations | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Tier I, charter school license | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Tier I, experienced-based license for technical and vocational education subjects | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Tier I, guest teacher license | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Tier I, long term substitute teacher license | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Tier I, professional teaching permit | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Tier I, short-term substitute teacher license | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Tier I, special education program aid license | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Tier II military spouse license | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Tier II provisional educator license | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Tier III lifetime license | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Tier IV master educator license | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Verify a teaching license in Wisconsin
Teaching licenses in Wisconsin are verified on the lookup service run by Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Search there by the teacher's name or certificate number to see current status.
PT3 does not verify licenses and holds no records of individual teachers.
Renewal
Renew times is how many times the credential can be renewed; renewal years is the length of each renewal.
| Credential | Renewable | Renew times | Renewal years | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier I, 1-year renewable license with stipulations | Yes | 1 | 1 | One of the following: 1. Enrolled in an approved program and successfully completed at least 6 semester credits or the equivalent in the program. 2. Complete all of the coursework or its equivalent in the approved program and attempted to complete tests required for licensure. 3. District administrator of the employing school district submits to the state superintendent a written plan that demonstrates, by clear and convincing evidence, that the license holder will complete all of the licensure requirements during the term of the renewed license. |
| Tier I, 3-year district sponsored license with stipulations | No | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Tier I, charter school license | Yes | 50 | 5 | Application |
| Tier I, experienced-based license for technical and vocational education subjects | No | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Tier I, guest teacher license | Yes | 1 | 3 | Request of the employing school district. |
| Tier I, long term substitute teacher license | Yes | 50 | 5 | Application |
| Tier I, professional teaching permit | Yes | 50 | 5 | Successfully completed teaching under the initial license's 2-year term as measure by positive references from the supervising teacher and building administrator. |
| Tier I, short-term substitute teacher license | Yes | 50 | 3 | Application |
| Tier I, special education program aid license | Yes | 50 | 5 | Application |
| Tier II military spouse license | No | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Tier II provisional educator license | Yes | 50 | 3 | Application |
| Tier III lifetime license | Yes | 50 | 5 | Application |
| Tier IV master educator license | Yes | 50 | 5 | Application |
Emergency and temporary credentials
| Credential | Initial | Years | Renewable | Grade levels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier I, 1-year renewable license with stipulations | No | 1 | Yes | PK-12, PK-12, PK-12 |
| Tier I, 3-year district sponsored license with stipulations | No | 3 | No | PK-12, PK-12, PK-12 |
| Tier I, charter school license | No | 5 | Yes | PK-12, PK-12, PK-12 |
| Tier I, experienced-based license for technical and vocational education subjects | No | 3 | No | PK-12, PK-12, PK-12 |
| Tier I, guest teacher license | No | 3 | Yes | PK-12, PK-12, PK-12 |
| Tier I, long term substitute teacher license | No | 5 | Yes | PK-12, PK-12, PK-12 |
| Tier I, professional teaching permit | No | 2 | Yes | 9-12 |
| Tier I, short-term substitute teacher license | No | 3 | Yes | PK-12, PK-12, PK-12 |
| Tier I, special education program aid license | No | 5 | Yes | PK-12, PK-12, PK-12 |
| Tier II military spouse license | No | 3 | No | Not reported |
| Tier II provisional educator license | Yes | 3 | Yes | PK-12, PK-12, PK-12 |
| Tier III lifetime license | No | 5 | Yes | PK-12, PK-12, PK-12 |
Out-of-state teachers
Title II lists no separate out-of-state credential for Wisconsin. Ask Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction how it reviews licenses from other states.
Newly licensed teachers prepared out of state: 1,520.
Substitute teaching
| Credential | Initial | Years | Renewable | Grade levels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier I, long term substitute teacher license | No | 5 | Yes | PK-12, PK-12, PK-12 |
| Tier I, short-term substitute teacher license | No | 3 | Yes | PK-12, PK-12, PK-12 |
Alternative routes
- CESA 1: Proficiency-Based Licensure
- CESA 2: Licensure Academy for School Staff (teach while completing)
- CESA 4: Alternative Licensing Pathways Supports and Services (teach while completing)
- CESA 6: Residency in Teacher Education (teach while completing)
- CESA 7: Teacher Development Center Alternative Licensure Program (teach while completing)
- CESA 9: Excelllence in Teaching Program (teach while completing)
- Educate-WI: 10SPED (teach while completing)
- Educate-WI: Project Teaching (teach while completing)
- Milwaukee Public Schools University (teach while completing)
- Urban Learning Collaborative (teach while completing)
About Wisconsin certification
Information regarding educator preparation, professional development, and licensing in the state of Wisconsin can be obtained on the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction web site.
How to become a teacher in WisconsinWisconsin teacher preparation providers
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a teaching certificate in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin reports 13 credentials to Title II, 1 of them initial. 1 initial credentials require a bachelor's degree, 0 require a preparation program and 0 require tests. Apply through Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
How do I verify a teaching license in Wisconsin?
Licenses are verified on the lookup service run by Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. PT3 does not verify licenses.
Can I renew a Wisconsin teaching certificate?
10 of 13 Wisconsin credentials are reported as renewable. Renewal details by credential are listed in the Renewal section.
Does Wisconsin issue emergency or temporary teaching certificates?
Yes. Title II lists 12: Tier I, 1-year renewable license with stipulations; Tier I, 3-year district sponsored license with stipulations; Tier I, charter school license; Tier I, experienced-based license for technical and vocational education subjects; Tier I, guest teacher license.
Can I teach in Wisconsin with an out-of-state license?
Title II lists no separate out-of-state credential for Wisconsin. Ask Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction how it reviews licenses from other states.
Is there alternative teacher certification in Wisconsin?
Yes. Wisconsin reports 10 alternative routes to Title II.