Becoming a MN Educator
- Special Permissions
- Paraprofessional Credential

Special Permissions for Classroom Teaching

Minnesota school districts that are unable to hire a fully licensed teacher in a particular teaching assignment may be eligible for a special permission.

To apply for a special permissions, go directly to our electronic Special Permissions System.

SPS is hosted by the MN Department of Education and will require a user ID and password for entry. To obtain access to this system, please see the "Request for User Access" form below.

Questions regarding the SPS system, Waiver, Nonlicensed Community Expert, Variance Appeal, and Limited Appeal should be directed to special.permission@state.mn.us.

Questions regarding General Education Variances should be directed to katherine.anthony-wigle@state.mn.us.

Questions regarding Special Education Variances should be directed to sue.koehler@state.mn.us.

For additional information and questions regarding Personnel Variances, Limited Licenses, and Nonrenewable Licenses, please contact the staff in the Educator Licensing division at the Minnesota Department of Education.