Frequently Asked Questions

Life Licenses

What is the Wisconsin Life License?

Life licenses were issued prior to 1983 based on an individual teaching for six full semesters in a Wisconsin school district while holding a three-year educator license. Life licenses remain valid if an individual remains regularly employed and/or completes the professional growth requirement. Information about the life license is found in administrative rules PI 34.20.

I was issued a life license by DPI in 1980, but I have not been regularly employed since 2000. Now I would like to do return to teaching. What do I need to do?

A life license is invalid if, for five or more consecutive years, the holder is not regularly employed and/or completed the professional growth requirement.

• If you have completed six semester credits in education courses from a regionally accredited four-year bachelor degree granting institution, within the five year period preceding the July 1 license start date you would be eligible to revalidate your life license (e.g. If you would like to revalidate your life license effective July 1, 2011, credits must have been completed between 7/1/2006 and 6/30/2011). Submit original transcripts (or grade reports) verifying coursework with the PI-1602-DUP form and fee.
  
  
• There is no professional growth requirement for a five-year substitute license. To apply for the five-year substitute license, submit the PI-1602-5R form and fee.
  
  
• If a Wisconsin school district wishes to employ you in a regular (non substitute) position prior to completing the six semester credits, you may be eligible for a one-year non-renewable license. Attach a district request verifying employment for current school year with the PI-1602-5R form and fee.

Can substitute teaching keep my life license valid after I retire from my regular position?

The life license is kept valid with regular employment that is at a fixed or uniform interval for the equivalent of at least one contact hour per day for at least one semester.

Scenario 1: You are employment in a long-term substitute teaching assignment that is at a fixed or uniform schedule and last 90 days or more in a given school year. In this scenario, the substitute teaching assignment would keep the life license valid for a period of no more than five years from the end of that given school year.

Scenario 2: You are employed as a per diem or day-to-day substitute teacher, this experience is not at a fixed or uniform schedule, and thus not considered regular employment. In this scenario, the substitute teaching assignment(s) would not keep the life license valid.

Related Resources

• Professional Growth Requirement
• Five-Year Substitute License Requirements
• Fingerprint Cards

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For questions about this information, contact licensing@dpi.wi.gov (608) 266-1027

Last updated on 5/26/2011 2:28:17 PM