UW-Whitewater College of Education and Professional Studies

How to Apply for a Teaching License

Forms

Instructions

  1. For a first-time license in any licensure area (except Reading and School Business Manager), download the PI-1602-IS application form from the Department of Public Instruction Application Form web site. Reading and School Business Managers should download the form PI-1602-AD.
  2. Complete all parts of the license application. Be sure to sign the application form, have the Conduct and Competency form notarized, and furnish payment.
  3. Payment can be made by attaching a check payable to Department of Public Instruction (DPI) in the amount of $100 or by completing the credit card information page. Return the completed application and fee to:

    Teacher Licensing
    College of Education & Professional Studies  
    Winther Hall Information Desk
    UW-Whitewater
    800 West Main Street
    Whitewater, WI 53190

    The cost for each application is $100, regardless of the number of licensure areas requested on the form.  Renewal applications should refer to the DPI website for more information.

  4. For new program completers:   The UW-W Licensure Office will hold your application until all requirements have been met. This could include waiting for a bachelor's degree, grades, or possibly a program coordinator's approval. For new graduates, degrees are not posted until your student teaching experience has been completed. Depending on when your application is submitted, your application might stay in the UW-W Licensure Office for an extended period of time.
  5. Wisconsin applications will not be returned to the person applying.  The UW-W Licensure Officer will complete the Institutional Endorsement of the application. Once signed, the application will then be forwarded to DPI. Please note: Wisconsin applications will not be returned to the applicant. However, out-of-state applications will be returned to your preferred address.
  6. A Program Verification Form will be prepared for INITIAL applications only. The certificate will be mailed to you after your application is endorsed. The certificate indicates eligibility while DPI is processing the official license.
  7. During high peak licensure times (January, May, June and August) our main focus is on application processing. Processing time for new program completers can take as little as 3 days once grades/degree are posted.  Applicants who already hold an Initial Educator or Professional Educator license, may wait 4-6 weeks since this type of request involves a different evaluation process. Once the application leaves the UW-Whitewater Licensure Office, final processing through DPI can take up to an additional 4-6 weeks. Please note:

    During non-peak licensure times, the focus is on other areas of the office other than license applications. For this reason processing time through the Licensure Office can take 4-6 weeks. Best times to submit your application is during the high peak times of January, May, June and August since our main focus is on licensure.

  8.  IMPORTANT: Obtain the initial Wisconsin teaching license even if you plan on leaving the State of Wisconsin.  Obtaining your Wisconsin license may smooth the process for obtaining an out-of-state license.  In addition, rules are being revised all the time.  By obtaining your Wisconsin teaching license shortly after program completion, it may prevent additional requirements or coursework if you ever return to Wisconsin.
  9. You will know our office has completed processing your application when you receive the Verification of Program Completion. To check on the status of your application at DPI, use the License Data Base at the Department of Public Instruction. Always make sure you check with UW-W before contacting DPI.

DPI Licensure Codes

To find out your licensure codes for the the State of Wisconsin, use the DPI website.  For first time teachers, a condensed version of the licensure codes is available in the above Graduation and Licensure Handout from the Phase 4 A & B meeting.  Find the appropriate major and/or minor and choose the content code.  For specific questions on coding, new applicants should view the Phase 4 video online.

Sample Applications for Teaching Licenses

(The above listed files are PDF documents, Adobe Reader)

Applying for an Initial Teaching Licensure in Another State

  1. Research out-of-state requirements before applying for teaching positions out of Wisconsin. Contact the Department of Education in the state you wish to seek employment.
  2. Complete the appropriate out-of-state application form and mail to the UW-W Licensure Office (if it requires institutional endorsement). Include an official copy of your transcript verification and your Wisconsin teaching license (if you have one).
  3. For new program completers:  The UW-W Licensure Office will hold your out-of-state application until all requirements have been met. This could include waiting for a bachelor's degree, grades, or possibly a program coordinator's approval. For new graduates, degrees are not posted until your student teaching experience has been completed. Depending on when your application is submitted, your application might stay in the UW-W Licensure Office for an extended period of time.
  4. The Licensure Officer will complete the Institutional Endorsement (in lieu of the signature of the Dean) of the application. Once the out-of-state application form is signed, the application will be forwarded to the address of your choice.
  5. While it usually is not necessary for an applicant to hold a valid license from Wisconsin, it will certainly expedite the process. The rule of thumb is "keep your license from Wisconsin in force." It will facilitate your application in another state and in Wisconsin should you return.
  6. During high peak licensure times (January, May, June and August) our main focus is on application processing and applications are processed as fast as possible.  If you are applying for both your Wisconsin license and an out-of-state license, submit both applications together.  They will be processed together which will decrease your wait time. However, due to the extensive number of applications, out-of-state applications submitted without applying for a Wisconsin license could take 2-3 weeks processing time.  Wisconsin license requests submitted during peak licensure times take precedence over out-of-state applications. Please note: During non-peak licensure times, the focus is on other areas of the office other than license applications. For this reason processing time through the Licensure Office can take 4-6 weeks. The best time to submit your application is during one of the high peak licensure times (Jan, May, June, Aug) when our main priority is licensure.  During non-peak licensure times, applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, regardless of requested State.

Applying for an exception to Licensure GPA

  1. Students must meet the following requirements to be eligible for an exception:
    • Completed an approved major, major and minor, or broadfield major, the required professional education sequence, and a baccalaureate degree.
    • Completed the Directed Teaching semester or Graduate Practicum semester at UW-Whitewater
  2. Students must apply for the exception by submitting the following information to the College of Education & Professional Studies Licensure Office:
    • A letter from the student requesting an exception, stating reasons for the request, and why the applicant believes that if an exception is granted, he or she can be a successful teacher.
    • Letters from the cooperating teacher(s) and a university supervisor(s) supporting the request, which must include reasons why an exception should be made. The student is to obtain the letters from the cooperating teacher(s) and the university supervisor(s) and include them in the completed application.
    • A current transcript. This can be printed from the University WINS System.
    • Students with a previous bachelor's degree who apply for an exception must submit photocopies of transcripts from their previous institutions.
    • Submit your cover letter addressed to the Licensure Office, letters of recommendation, and your current UW-Whitewater transcript and/or previous transcripts to the Licensure Office.  If you choose to hand deliver the appropriate paperwork, you can drop them off at the Winther Hall Information Desk (lobby area). The staff at the Information Desk will begin the process before delivering to the Licensure Office.  You will be notified by mail in about two weeks after you  complete  your program.

For additional information for applying for an exception for your Wisconsin teaching license, please feel free to contact us at education@uww.edu

Further Information

US Department of Education

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College of Education & Professional Studies | 800 W. Main Street | Whitewater, WI 53190
Phone: 262-472-1101 | E-mail: education@uww.edu | Comment on this page
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