Wisconsin offers various pathways for applicants who completed an out-of-state preparation program seeking teacher, administrator, and pupil services (school counselor, school psychologist, school social worker) licensure.
Who is an Out-of-State applicant?
The location of the completed educator preparation program for teachers, pupil services, and/or administrators determines the type of application required, regardless of where the applicant lives. If the applicant completed a:
- program headquartered OUTSIDE of Wisconsin (including online and out-of-country) - Review the Out-of-State information below and complete the Out-of-State application process.
- program headquartered IN Wisconsin - Applicants should use the In-State application.
General requirements per credential type are outlined below.
Each flowchart resource provides:
- scenarios to help determine the appropriate license application for you
- a checklist of the needed documentation to be submitted for each pathway, and
- a link to the appropriate Educator Licensing Online (ELO) application instructions.
Teachers
- bachelor's degree or higher
- state-approved educator preparation program:
- accredited four-year college or university
- offered at the bachelor’s, post-baccalaureate, or master’s degree level
- comparable to Wisconsin's requirements
- approved by the state education department where program is headquartered
- Any test score(s) required for licensure in the state where you completed your educator preparation program(s) and all tests required for Wisconsin licensure
Application fee
$175
Resulting License Type
Tier II Provisional
Administrators
- master's degree or higher
- state-approved educator preparation program:
- accredited four-year college or university
- offered at the master’s, education specialist, or doctorate level
- comparable to Wisconsin's requirements
- approved by the state education department where program is headquartered
- Any test score(s) required for licensure in the state where you completed your educator preparation program(s) and all tests required for Wisconsin licensure
Application fee
$175
Resulting License Type
Tier II Provisional
Pupil Services
- educational requirements vary per specialty area
- state-approved pupil services program:
- accredited four-year college or university
- offered at the master’s, education specialist, or doctorate level
- comparable to Wisconsin's requirements
- approved by the state education department where program is headquartered
- Any test score(s) required for licensure in the state where you completed your educator preparation program(s) and all tests required for Wisconsin licensure
Application fee
$175
Resulting License Type
Tier II Provisional
Review the appropriate flowchart above for the documents needed for upload when completing the application for a license, as well as direct links to the respective Educator Licensing Online (ELO) application instructions.
Notes and related information
- Check out our current licensing processing times. Ensure the fastest possible review time by uploading all required documents when you apply.
- Upon application review, DPI will determine and issue the most similar license subject for which you are currently eligible.
- If you are seeking licensure as a speech-language pathologist, please see the related information bulletin to help answer your questions and the related licensing application page.
- For Frequently Asked Questions about the Out-of-State Pathway see Frequently Asked Questions - Out-of-State .