Program Completion and Licensing
Professional Licensure
UW-River Falls offers several programs leading to professional licensure within the State of Wisconsin. States vary regarding the professions they require to be licensed and how licensure functions. Some states require an individual to graduate from an approved program. Others require an individual to meet certification requirements of a national organization. A specific amount of training can also be required as well as passage of an examination based on a state requisite exam score. Often, licensed professionals must complete continuing education on an annual basis.
If a student is planning to apply for licensure in a state other than Wisconsin after completion of their program, the student should refer to the information below or contact the other state's appropriate licensing board to determine whether UW-River Falls program meets licensure requirements in that state.
Please note that licensure requirements are always subject to change. Although UW-River Falls will confirm the licensure requirements on a routine basis, we strongly recommend that you inquire with the state board to confirm that you understand and will meet the requirements for licensure before enrolling in your program of choice.
Select programs at UW-River Falls are designed to provide the educational requirements for initial professional licenses in the State of Wisconsin. For additional information, refer to the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification webpage: Information for Out-of-State Applicants - National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (nasdtec.net)
Program Completion
Please refer to the chart below to review the requirements of your program to be considered a "program completer" and eligible for an "institutional endorsement" for licensing.
Program | Requirements for program completion and to be eligible for a "University Endorsement" for Licensing | ||
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Undergraduate Teacher Certification
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Post Bachelor Initial Teacher Certification
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Pupil Services Programs
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Administration Programs
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Supplemental Licenses
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Undergraduate Post Bachelor Degree Initial Licensing Programs
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Please note: The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction no longer accepts paper applications for Wisconsin Educator Licenses.
Educators apply for Wisconsin Initial Licenses and Renewal Licenses in teaching, pupil services, administrator, and other license categories using the Educator Licensing Online (ELO) system. ELO allows educators to provide the information, supporting materials, and payment needed for DPI to process their license applications. The system streamlines the application process and allows the applicant to manage their own licensing information, including printing a copy of their license certificate and renewing their licenses when applicable.
Educator Licensing Online - (ELO) System.
- If you completed your program between 9/1/2004 and 12/31/2013, please complete the form at the bottom of the page to request your information be submitted to DPI.
General Information
Carefully read all directions for the specific state and license you are applying for before beginning the application process: UWRF State Licence Reciprocity Information
If you have questions about completing the application please contact the college's Certification Officer, Tyler Koepke.
Please Review all Directions Carefully Before Beginning Your License Application.
Before you begin your license application, the UWRF College of Education, Business and Allied Health is required to submit your license information to the Wisconsin Department of Pubic Instruction (DPI). If you are a current student this will be competed once you finish all requirements in your program. Students who completed their program(s) before 12/31/2013 will need to complete the form at the bottom of this page to request UW-River Falls review and submit your license information to the Wisconsin Educator Licensing Online (ELO) system. Please follow the following steps when applying for any type of license in ELO:
How to Apply
1. Determine if you must submit fingerprints
- Use the fingerprint decision tree to determine if this step is needed. If you have determined that you need fingerprints, submit them electronically via our vendor Fieldprint by following the Electronic Fingerprint Submission directions.
2. Gather Documents
- Preview the ELO Conduct & Competency Questions to see if you will need to provide documentation of any alleged misconduct.
- Confirm with your EPP that your license endorsement has already been submitted to the DPI. This Endorsed Candidates for Licensure (ECL) data is required to complete your online license application. If you are unsure whether your EPP has submitted this data to the DPI, please contact the Certification Officer at your EPP.
- If you determine that you need to provide documentation, please scan to files (.pdf, .doc/docx, .jpg/jpeg, or .txt) that are 2MB or less in size
3. Log in to Educator Licensing Online (ELO)
- Within ELO, make sure you have answered the three onboarding questions.
- Find the APPLY FOR A NEW LICENSE section of the Quick Start Menu. Select the same choices in the three drop-downs in the application screenshot below:
Apply for an Educator License
- Initial Educator Wisconsin Prep Program
- Reissue a Provisional License
- Lifetime Licenses (Obtain or Maintain)
- Substitute Teaching Licenses
- Other License Types
Please note:
When you submit a complete and accurate renewal application before June 30 of the year in which your license expires, Wis. Stat. 227.51 (2) provides that your existing license does not expire until the DPI completes the processing of your renewal application.
If you are experiencing any difficulty when logging into ELO, please use the ELO Log-in Resource Guide to troubleshoot your problems.
Submit questions and comments about this information to the Licensing Online Help desk.
4. Receive Email Confirmation
5. Complete Application on ELO
- Click the GO! button next to “Submit C&C and Payment to Complete Application.”
- Review your fees.
- Complete the Conduct and Competency Questionnaire (14 questions).
- Pay with a credit card or pre-paid card. For fee amounts and additional payment information please see License Application Fees.
PROCESSING TIMES
Our processing times vary throughout the year. For current processing times see Check Application Status.
Additional resources
- ELO Public Search for Wisconsin Licensed Educators: https://tepdl.dpi.wi.gov/licensing/elo-public-search
- Setting up a WAMS account (YouTube): https://youtu.be/KBti-W3itvM
- Electronic Fingerprint Submission for Wisconsin Licensing through Fieldprint: https://tepdl.dpi.wi.gov/backgroundcheck/electronic-fingerprint-submission
Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board
1021 Bandana Blvd. E., Suite 222
St. Paul, MN 55108-5111
pelsb@state.mn.us
651-539-4200
Walk-in hours: Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (dropbox)
Phone hours: Tues - Thursday., 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Minnesota Tiers without Fears licensing help!
Special Information for out of State Applicants
If you have obtained a regionally-accredited bachelor's degree from a state-approved teacher preparation program with field-specific student teaching equivalent to requirements of Minnesota programs, you may qualify for a Minnesota teacher license under the tiered licensure structure.
You may qualify for a Tier 3 license if:
- You take and pass the MTLE content and pedagogy exams for the licensure field recommended by your college/university. You should not submit a formal application for Minnesota licensure until after you receive official passing scores on the MTLE exams. The MTLE website has more information about the exams and the exam reporting schedule.
- You meet the additional Tier 3 licensure requirements.
An out-of-state teacher may apply for a Tier 2 license prior to passing the MTLE content and pedagogy exams if they have met all Tier 2 licensure requirements and have been offered a position by a Minnesota public school district or charter school.
Minnesota Teacher License Applications and Forms (link)
Licensure Requirements and Information
- Testing requirements and how requirements vary by tier
- Fingerprint card is required for all initial licenses
- Tiered Licensure Structure Inforgraphic
General Application Process
- Wait to apply until you receive verification from UWRF that your Wisconsin License endorsement has been submitted to the state of Wisconsin
- Complete either a Tier II or Tier III application. (not sure which to use contact MN PELSD)
- Submit the verification of program completion form to UWRF's Teacher Certification Officer Tyler Koepke. Please allow 15 days for processing. All forms will be returned via US Mail as MN does not accept electronic signatures.
- Submit your entire application to MN PELSB in a single packet.
Information for out-of-state applicants to states other than Wisconsin or Minnesota:
National Association of State Director of Teacher Education and Certification Webster:https://www.nasdtec.net/page/InterstateAgreements
Reciprocity
Certification reciprocity facilitates movement, but you still must meet the receiving state’s certification requirements. See the National Association of State Directors Teacher Education and Certification for information on certification reciprocity
This page is intended to help you find information on states of your choice. We are not responsible for the content beyond this page. Please do not contact the UWRF School of Education with questions about the certification requirements for a specific state. Instead, please refer to the contact information contained in the links for the individual states.
UW River Falls, Teacher Certification Officer:
Tyler Koepke
Student Services Coordinator
University of Wisconsin River Falls, College of Education, Business and Allied Health
410 S. 3rd St.
River Falls, WI 54022
tyler.koepke@uwrf.edu
Phone: 715-425-3708