Wisconsin law requires that all professional
school staff be properly licensed for their
assignments to teach in the public schools.
The links below provide detailed information
on the prerequisites, required documentation
and application/renewal processes for Wisconsin
educator licenses. Most items link to
DPI entries on the Wisconsin.gov Licensing
and Permitting Portal.
Career-changers: Most
educator licenses require significant education
preparation (at least a bachelor's degree
from an accredited four year degree-granting
institution of higher education) as reflected
in the groupings below. (See Wis.
Stat. 118.19(3)(a)). The department has
specific additional
licensing requirements defined by administrative
rule. School districts and Cooperative
Educational Service Agencies (CESAs) may have
further requirements for initial or continued
employment beyond those needed for licensure.
Non-educators interested in entering a
teaching field should review the information
below and then contact colleges/universities
directly with specific questions about an
area of interest. Also see Experimental/Innovative
Educator Preparation Programs in Wisconsin.
