Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Teacher Licensing. (But May Not Have Known To Ask) Mr. Michael Martin University of Wisconsin River Falls College of Education and Professional Studies 410 S. 3 rd Street River Falls WI 54022

Basic Issues Related to Licensing To teach in a public school (and some privates) you must have a teaching license issued by the State in which you are teaching. Teaching licenses do not cross state lines. You will need to apply for a license in every state you wish to teach.

Basic Issues Related to Licensing Every state has its own set of rules and policies regarding teacher licensing. What applies in one state may not apply in another. All endorsements you receive from River Falls are based upon licenses you are eligible for in the state of Wisconsin. We can not make special provisions for other states.

Basic Issues Related To Licensing The University cannot endorse a license application until all of the following are complete: ◦ All grades must be recorded and posted on your transcripts. ◦ Degree seeking students, Your degree must be awarded and recorded on your transcript. (walking in the graduation ceremony does not constitute graduating) ◦ Your Certification Portfolio must be completed, approved and recorded on your unofficial transcript

Licensing All teaching licenses contain two elements Please keep in mind these do differ with every state: 1. Levels / Grades / Ages you can teach. 2. Subjects / Positions you can teach

Wisconsin Levels Early Childhood (ages birth – 8 years) ◦ Early Childhood Major

Wisconsin Levels Early Childhood – Middle Childhood (ages birth – 11 years) ◦ Elementary Education Major ◦ Early Childhood Minor

Wisconsin Levels Middle Childhood – Early Adolescence (ages 6 – 12/13 years) ◦ Elementary Education Major Any approved Minor ◦ The following list also leads to a MC-EA license in the minor’s subject area.  Math  Health Education  Reading/Language Arts  Science  Social Studies  Dance  Modern Languages  TESOL

Wisconsin Levels Early Adolescence - Adolescence (ages 10 – 21 years)  Math Education  English (Broad Field are English Major)  Broad Field Science  Biology  Chemistry  Physics  Earth and Space Science (Geology Earth Science Majors)  Broad Field Social Studies  Alternative Education (graduate only)

Wisconsin Levels Early Childhood - Adolescence (ages: all school ages)  Art Education  Music Education (Choral/Instrumental/General)  Agricultural Education  Physical Education  Health Education  Modern Languages (Spanish, German, French)  Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)  Speech and Language Pathology (graduate only)  School Guidance Counselor (graduate only)  Reading Teacher (graduate only)

Wisconsin Levels Administrative and Reading Licenses  Reading Specialist  Principal

Licensing and Minors If you have a minor which leads to a license: ◦ Typically it is at the same level as your Major ◦ (MC-EA, EA-A, EC-A) ◦ If a Praxis II is requred you need to have completed it for the minor also (see lists of exams)

Concentrations Only apply to Social Studies and General Science Majors all concentrations are EA-A ◦ Broad Field Social Studies  A concentration is the subject area you specialized in (History, Psychology, Geography, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology.) ◦ General Science  Concentrations are the two science disciplines you completed additional credits in as a part of your major (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth & Space Science)

Applying for a Wisconsin License The licensing agency in the state of Wisconsin is “The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction” (DPI) ◦ Web site - ◦ Phone # (608) ◦ Address  125 S. Webster St. PO Box 7841 Madison, WI

Applying for a Wisconsin License Licensing Forms ◦ Initial In-State Teaching or Pupil Services - PI-1602-IS Initial In-State Teaching or Pupil Services - PI-1602-IS  This form is for all teacher licenses and adding additional teaching licenses to an existing license ◦ Initial In-State Administration or Reading - PI-1602-AD Initial In-State Administration or Reading - PI-1602-AD  This form is for Principal licenses and Reading Teachers/Specialists

Applying for a WI license General Procedure ◦ All of the following need to be submitted to the University's Certification Officer:  WI teaching application form(s) (PI-1602-IS or PI-1602-AD)  Two Fingerprint Cards if required (these can be picked up in the Dean’s office WEB 203)  Check, Money Order, or Credit Card Payment for $ (checks should be made payable to Wisconsin DPI) University of Wisconsin River Falls ATTN: Michael Martin, Certification Officer 410 S. 3 rd Street River Falls WI 54022

Applying for a WI license Hints, and Common Mistakes to Avoid ◦ Read the directions carefully! ◦ Please type your application it helps reduce errors. ◦ Make sure to enter all degree information including your undergraduate degree(s). ◦ Make sure to get the application notarized ◦ If you have never lived, worked, or attended school outside of Wisconsin in the past 20 years. You are not required to be submit fingerprint cards to Wisconsin.

Minnesota Contact Information Minnesota Department of Education 1500 Highway 36 West Roseville, Minnesota (651)

Minnesota License Application General Procedure ◦ Complete the Minnesota Online Application after you complete student teaching/practicum ◦ The following needs to be submitted to the University’s Certification Officer  Verification of Completion of a State Approved Licensure Program (form ED # )  Self Addressed Envelope

Minnesota License Application ◦ Your completed verification form will be returned to you via the self addressed envelope with copies of your Praxis I scores if complete before 9/1/2010. ◦ Carefully read the directions which accompany the Minnesota application they require many pieces of documentation with their application. ◦ The Dean’s office can provide fingerprint cards for the Minnesota Department of Education.

Final Thoughts Even if you are not planning to teach in this cheese eating, packer loving, cow tipping state…..Get your WI license. WI is considered your home state in regards to teaching credentials most other states will need to see proof you are eligible to hold a license in your home state. (I see many problems involving students who never applied for their license in WI.)

Employers who require a copy of your official license for a job application There is no way you will have a official physical license for a few weeks. I can provide a certificate of completion for Wisconsin but typically this will not work in states outside of Wisconsin.