BA Exemptions

In Minnesota, an applicant must hold a bachelor's degree in order to receive a license. There are three current exemptions for applicants seeking a license in one of the following licensure areas: (1) Career and Technical Education and Career Pathways, (2) Visual and Performing Arts, and (3) World Languages.

CTE and Career Pathways
Visual and Performing Arts
World Languages

Career & Technical Education and Career Pathways

An individual who does not hold a bachelor's degree is qualified to seek a license in career and technical education (CTE) and career pathways when they meet one of the following criteria:
1. The individual holds a Professional Certification aligned to the licensure field sought,
2. The individual holds an Associate's Degree aligned to the licensure field sought, or
3. The individual has at least 5 years of relevant work experience aligned to the licensure field sought.
Please review this resource, which contains the approved professional certifications and associate degrees by licensure field. Please note, an individual who holds a professional certification or associate's degree not highlighted in the resource can still apply and request that the Board approve their credentials. If the Board approves, the applicable professional certification or associate's degree will be added to the approved list of credentials.
Visual and Performing Arts
Individuals with 5 years of relevant work experience in the visual or performing arts are exempt from the bachelor's degree requirement when pursuing a license in the arts aligned to their experience. The applicant will need to have their prior experience verified by a prior employer or the hiring school district.
World Languages

Individuals who are native speakers of a world language are exempt from the bachelor's degree requirement when pursuing a license in a world language. The hiring school district will be responsible for attesting to the teacher's native language speaker status.

Individuals seeking to teacher language and culture may also be interested in learning about the two pathways:
- Heritage Language & Culture Licensure Pathway Program
- American Indian Educators & Pathways to Licensure