Review the application form information below and be sure to use the correct form for your situation. Additional information is available in our Frequently Asked Questions - Licensing section.
Some applicants must submit two different forms because each type of process (e.g. initial in-state, renewal, emergency) requires a separate application and processing fee.
Example 1: To renew a professional educator license and also apply for an emergency license, submit a PI-1602-5R and a PI-1602-EL with a $100 fee for each (fee total is $200).
Example 2: To apply for an Initial Educator license in administration and also renew existing teaching licenses, submit a PI-1602-AD and a PI-1602-5R form with a $100 fee for each (fee total is $200).
Forms - Quick Scroll
CAREFULLY READ ALL DIRECTIONS BEFORE YOU BEGIN
- PDF forms are used for all applications except intern licenses. Use "fill-in" functions of the forms as much as possible as it helps produce a correctly completed and legible application that can be processed more quickly at DPI.
- Verify that Acrobat Reader version 7.0 or newer is installed on your computer.
- Familiarize yourself with how to open and enter information into a PDF Fill-in form.
- Review DPI required printing standards for license application forms.
- Select the correct form by referring to the descriptors below each form title.
- With the form open on your computer screen, complete as much information as possible. If completing some of the application by hand, use black or blue ink only.
- Next, print a paper copy of the entire application form (white paper only) before closing the PDF form. Reader software will not save the information entered into a Fill-in PDF form.
- Application forms may be printed and photocopied, but must be copied on white paper only and one side only, not "back-to-back."
- If question 12 on the Conduct and Competency Review (part of each application form) requires fingerprints submission, see information on electronic fingerprinting and/or obtaining DPI-coded fingerprint cards. A background check is part of every license application process.
- Important: Attach your payment or credit card authorization on top of the application form and related documentation.
Mail to DPI's Milwaukee bank address. (Payments cannot be processed in Madison.)
DPI - Teacher Licensing
Drawer 794
Milwaukee, WI 53293-0794.
Keep a copy of the application and documentation for your records. Do not e-mail applications to DPI. Electronic submissions cannot be processed.
- Note: If you need to mail any documentation to DPI separately from your original application form and fee (e.g. institutional endorsements, transcripts, fingerprint cards), see Mailing Documentation Separately.
PI-1602 LICENSE APPLICATION FORMS
PDF forms require Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0 or newer and a printer capable of producing a high quality 8 1/2" x 11" paper copy. DPI cannot provide technical support for computer/printer/hardware/software problems, so contact us if a paper copy is needed. When renewing a license, you may find it helpful to print the License Renewal Reference Guide.
5-Year Renewal - PI-1602-5R 
FAQ - Renewal FAQ - Professional Growth Requirement
- Renew all 5-year professional educator licenses (teacher, administrator, pupil services) except Occupational Therapists and Assistants, Physical Therapists and Assistants (Use PI-1602-NP.), and Special Education Aides (Use PI-1602-PA.).
- Apply for a 1-year extension of a 5-year Wisconsin license.
- Reactivate a 5-year Wisconsin license which has expired.
- Renew a 5-year Wisconsin substitute teaching license. FAQ - Substitute License
- Apply for a 5-year Wisconsin substitute teaching license based on an expired Wisconsin license.
- Renew a 5-year Wisconsin license for substitute teaching only.
- Apply for a Master Educator License. Include documentation from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards that you have passed their certification.
- Renew a 5-year license for Orientation and Mobility, School Audiologist, Indian Language, Indian History & Culture, Indian Home-School Coordinator, or Trade Specialist. professional growth requirement for renewal
Initial In-State Teaching or Pupil Services - PI-1602-IS
Graduates of Wisconsin educator preparation programs only.
- Apply for an Initial Educator teaching license.
- Apply for a 5-year substitute teaching license only - applicants who never held a Wisconsin Initial Educator or 5-year teaching license but did complete an approved Wisconsin program.
- Apply for an Initial Educator pupil services license (School Counselor, School Psychologist, School Social Worker, School Nurse).
- Apply for a library media specialist (902) license.
Initial In-State Administration or Reading - PI-1602-AD
Graduates of Wisconsin educator preparation programs only.
(Includes one PI-1613 Employment Verification form. Photocopy as needed or print additional copies - see below.)
- Apply for an Initial Educator license in Administration (Superintendent, Principal, Director of Instruction, Director of Special Education/Pupil Services, Library Media Supervisor, Career and Technical Education Coordinator, Instructional Technology Coordinator, Reading Specialist, Program Coordinator). Must hold or be eligible to hold a Wisconsin Professional Educator license in teaching and have three years of teaching experience or a Wisconsin Professional Educator license in pupil services, have three years of pupil services employment experience, and 540 hours of classroom instruction experience.
- Apply for an Initial Educator license in School Business Administration.
- Apply for an Initial Educator reading teacher license. Must hold or be eligible to hold a Wisconsin teaching license and have two years of teaching experience.
If experience verification is required, send a completed Employment Verification Form (PI-1613) to each education employer.
Advance to Professional Educator - PI-1602-ADV FAQ - Initial Educators
(Includes PI-PDP-2 PDP Verification Form, PI-1613 Employment Verification Form, PI-1614 Stipulations Verification Form. If applicable, a PI-1612 Institutional Assurances/Endorsement Form and/or additional PI-1613 Employment Verifications Form may be printed separately (see Supplementary Forms below.
- Apply for advancement of an Initial Educator License (Administration, Teaching, or Pupil Services category) to a Professional Educator License after all requirements are met.
- Requires verification of:
- Completion of three years of regular (not substitute) employment experience in the applicable category (Documented on a PI-1613 Employment Verification Form)
- Completion of a Professional Development Plan (PDP) (At least two of the three PDP review team members must verify successful completion on the PI-PDP-2 PDP Verification Form.)
- Satisfaction of all license stipulations and documented on a PI-1614 Stipulation Verification Form (applicable to some applicants whose Initial Educator License was issued based upon a program completed outside of Wisconsin). If your stipulations include the need for an additional institutional endorsement, you must also include a PI-1612 Institutional Endorsement and Assurances with your application.
1-Year Administrator - PI-1602-AD1
(Includes one PI-1612 Institutional Assurances/Endorsement Form and one PI-1613 Employment Verification Form. Photocopy as needed or print additional copies — see below.)
Must be currently enrolled in a state-approved program leading to licensure as a Superintendent, School Business Administrator, Principal, Director of Instruction, Director of Special Education/Pupil Services, Library Media Supervisor, Career and Technical Education Coordinator, Instructional Technology Coordinator, or Reading Specialist).
** School board request required. ** Page 2b Board Request
Initial Out-of-State - PI-1602-OS FAQ - Out of State Preparation FAQ - On-Line Programs
Graduates of non-Wisconsin educator preparation programs (including on-line programs)
(Includes one PI-1612 and one PI-1613. Photocopy as needed or print additional copies — see below.)
- Apply for a Wisconsin Educator License (Teaching, Substitute Teaching, Pupil Services, Administration).
- Request fingerprint cards.
- Send a completed Institutional Endorsement Form (PI-1612) to each college/university attended.
Important: If you completed your educator preparation program after 8/31/04, you must verify successful completion of Wisconsin's content area test(s). See Testing Information for details.
- Send a completed Employment Verification Form (PI-1613) to each education employer.
Employment Note: If you were not employed in the teaching profession in the past five years, you must complete six semester credits of refresher work. Submit original transcripts or grade reports with your application.
- Use the PI-1602-OS Checklist to ensure a complete application that DPI can process.
Conversion of Professional Educator License with Stipulations to Professional Educator License without stipulations.
(Complete and submit both the form entitled "2-year Renewal or Conversion from 2-year to 5-year License - PI-1602-2R" and a PI-1614 Stipulations Verification Form.
- Convert a five-year Profession Educator License with stipulations to a Professional Educator License (without stipulations) with proof of completion of all stipulations and proof of completion of professional development (six semester credits of university coursework related to education or verified completion of a Professional Development Plan (PDP). Also see FAQ - License Stipulations.
- Convert a 2-year educator license to a Professional Educator License.
- Convert a 3-year provisional school counseling license to a Professional Educator License — Experience deficiency identified by DPI must be satisfied.
Emergency License or Permit - PI-1602-EL
(NOTE: This form is PDF, but not a "fill-in" format.)
** District request required. ** Page 2b Justification Form
** See DPI policy on Requests for Emergency Permits and Special Licenses.
- Apply for, or renew, a 1-year emergency permit (bachelor's degree, not licensed as a teacher).
- Apply for, or renew, a 1-year emergency license (out-of-field teaching).
- Apply for, or renew, a 1-year long-term substitute permit or license (over 20 consecutive days in same assignment).
- DO NOT use the PI-1602-EL to request a 3-year Short-Term Substitute Permit. These requests must be made on the PI-1602-SP form.
- DO NOT use the PI-1602-EL to request a 1-year Administrator License for which a school board request is required. These license requests must be made on the PI-1602-AD1 form.
Three-Year Short-Term Substitute Permit — PI-1602-SP
(NOTE: This form is PDF, but not a "fill-in" format.)
** See More information on Substitute Permits.
- Apply for, or renew, a 3-year short-term substitute permit (bachelor's degree, not licensed as a teacher). FAQ - Substitute Permit
Licenses Not Requiring an Approved Education Program — PI-1602-NP
- Apply for a first-time initial Educational Interpreter, Orientation and Mobility Teacher, or School Audiologist license. (Use PI-1602-5R to renew these licenses.)
- Apply for, or renew, a School Occupational Therapist or School Physical Therapist License.
- Apply for, or renew, a School Occupational or Physical Therapy Assistant License.
(To request an emergency license, use PI-1602-EL.
Special Education Program Aide - PI-1602-PA
Supplementary Forms
See your PI-1602 application form instructions for specific PI-1612, PI-1613, and/or PI-1614 requirements.
Request For Duplicate Educator License — PI-1602-DUP Also see FAQ - Name Changes
(NOTE: This form is PDF, but not a "fill-in" format.)
- Apply for a duplicate copy of any current license certificate. The fee for a duplicate license is $50.
- As a quick and cost-free alternative to requesting and submitting the 1602-DUP request, you may print verification of your licensure from our Educator License Database.
- Revalidate a life license. A life license is invalid if for five or more consecutive years, the holder is not actively employed in a position in the teaching profession. Revalidation requires submission of original grade reports or transcripts verifying successful completion of six semester credits along with the PI-1602-DUP and the $50 processing fee. Also see FAQ - Life Licenses.
Not Sure Which Application Form to Use for Your Situation?
See relevant topic areas under Licensing FAQS or phone 1-800-266-1027.
Problems Printing an Application Form?
First try the suggestions under Common Printing Problems. If the problem persists, you may request that a paper copy of any application form listed above be mailed to you. Include the complete form number in your request.
Direct questions about, and requests for, application forms to Educator Licensing or phone 1-800-266-1027.
Last updated on 7/31/2008 10:18:39 AM
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