A. There are several ways Tier 3 and Tier 4 teachers can add to their teaching license:

• Connect with a teacher preparation program. A teacher preparation program can review your prior coursework and help you implement a plan of study to add the additional licensure field.
• Complete PELSB’s Licensure via Portfolio process. This is a good option for teachers who have experience in the licensure field they are looking to add. 
• If you hold a professional out-of-state teaching license in good standing in the licensure field you are looking to add AND you have two years of teaching experience in that licensure area, you can look to add the licensure via experience. Note: this option requires teachers to pass the appropriate Minnesota Teacher Licensure Exams (MTLEs) in the content area prior to applying for licensure.

No, a teacher must meet the renewal requirements to renew the Tier 4 license or apply for the short-call substitute license.

No, statute prevents teachers from holding multiple Tier levels at the same time. 

In most instances, a teacher and their hiring district/charter school would need to request an out-of-field permission for the additional licensure field. Please see the Special Permissions page for information on requesting an out-of-field permission.

Are you wondering what the best licensure pathway might be for you? Head to TeachMN.org to learn more about the options available to you, through the explorer tool, licensure guides, and 1-on-1 coaching with a current Minnesota classroom educator!

Prospective applicants for an initial license should visit the "Apply for My First License" page for instructions and to access the initial licensure application system.

An individual without a bachelor's degree can teach in CTE and career pathway fields if they meet one of three other criteria aligned to their field: 1) Professional Certification, 2) Associate's Degree, or 3) 5 Years of Relevant Work Experience. This recommended list is a starting point to begin issuing licenses on July 1, 2018. An individual who wishes to apply for a tiered licensure with a different professional certification or associate's degree can apply and request board consideration of their credentials. If the board approves the credential, they can add the credential to this list. An individual or organization that disagrees with a credential on this list should provide their concerns in writing for the board to consider removing credentials from the list.

• Recommended Professional Certifications and Associates Degrees

CTE or Career Pathways license does not require a bachelor's degree. Instead, individuals can meet minimum requirements by holding an associate's degree in the licensure area, having five years of relevant work experience in the licensure area, or holding a professional certification aligned to the licensure area. To qualify for Tiers 2-4, applicants must also meet the appropriate licensure requirements related to the corresponding tier. For example, a Tier 3 applicant must meet coursework requirements (e.g., teacher preparation).

To apply for a Tier 1 or Tier 2 CTE license, please use the CTE or Career Pathways licensure application. To apply for Tier 3, please use the Tier 3 licensure application. To apply for Tier 4, please use the Tier 4 licensure application.

(Updated January 2024)

A World Language and Culture license no longer requires a bachelor's degree to qualify. Now, individuals who are native speakers of a world language can receive licensure based on their native-speaker status. A school district will verify the applicant's native-speaker status as part of the Bachelor's Degree Exemption application.

Please note: to qualify for a Tier 1 or Tier 2 license, an individual must have a job offer to teacher world language and culture with a Minnesota public or charter school. To qualify for Tiers 2-4, applicants must also meet the appropriate licensure requirements related to the corresponding tier. For example, a Tier 3 applicant must meet coursework requirements (e.g., licensure via portfolio).

(Added January 2024)

A Visual or Performing Arts license (includes Visual Arts, Music, Theater, and Dance) no longer requires a bachelor's degree to qualify. Individuals who have five years of relevant work experience in a visual or performing arts area can use their experience to qualify for licensure. As part of the Bachelor's Degree Exemption application, the applicant will need to have their former employer (or current school district) verify the five years of relevant work experience.

Please note: to qualify for a Tier 1 or Tier 2 license, an individual must have a job offer to teach visual or performing arts with a Minnesota public or charter school. To qualify for Tiers 2-4, applicants must also meet the appropriate licensure requirements related to the corresponding tier. For example, a Tier 3 applicant must meet coursework requirements (e.g., licensure via portfolio).

(Updated January 2024)

Verification of Teaching License

PELSB has 30 days from the receipt of all materials to process licensure requests. If you are an initial licensure candidate, the 30-day timeframe begins when PELSB receives the results of your completed background check. Once your license has been issued, you will receive an email from PELSB with your licensure information. We ask that you please refrain from contacting PELSB for a status update if you have submitted materials less than three weeks ago.

PELSB is able to notarize teaching licenses for educators who are seeking to teach outside the country. However, educators will need to contact the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office once the license has been notarized to begin the apostille process.  

To request your license be notarized, please email Dawn Markling at dawn.markling@state.mn.us. In your request, please include your name, file folder number, and mailing address.  

(Updated January 2024 with new link)

You are welcome to submit a name change request using PELSB's online licensing system. Further instructions for submitting the request can be found here.

(Updated May 2026)

Teachers are unable to hold multiple tiers of licensure. Instead of applying for a Tier 1 or Tier 2 license, you and your district must submit a request for an Out-of-Field Permission (OFP). OFPs are valid for up to one school year and an individual can have up to five OFPs in their lifetime. Please note: OFPs requested for the 23-24 school year do not count towards the five allowed, based on the Board passing this resolution.

(Updated January 2024)

There are multiple pathways to a teaching license designed specifically for out-of-state teachers. The most common pathways are outlined below. 

Tier 4: An out-of-state teacher is eligible for a Tier 4 license if the teacher: 

• holds a bachelor's degree, completed a state-approved teacher preparation program with equivalent student teaching to that of a Minnesota program (typically 12-weeks of student teaching), and three years of teaching experience in their licensure field.  Consult this flow chart to determine whether licensure exams will be required.
  

• completed a state-approved teacher preparation program with equivalent student teaching to that of a Minnesota program (typically 12-weeks of student teaching). Consult this flow chart to determine whether licensure exams will be required.
  
• holds or held a professional teaching license from another state, the teacher's license is in good standing, the teacher has two years of teaching experience in that state in the content area, and the teacher obtained passing scores on applicable Minnesota content and pedagogy exams.

• completed a state-approved teacher preparation program but did not complete a student teaching experience of at least 12 weeks or has not attempted their states' exams or the Minnesota Teacher Licensure Exams (MTLEs). Note: A teacher must have a job offer from a Minnesota public school in order to be issued a Tier 2 license. 

If you trained as a teacher outside the United States or its territories, you may be eligible for a license to teach in Minnesota. Prior to starting the application for licensure, you will need to submit materials, including transcripts of credits, pattern of training, and degrees awarded, to a PELSB-approved evaluation service. 

More information about approved evaluation services and the process to becoming a licensed Minnesota teacher can be in found in the Foreign Credential Evaluation document.

Please note: A job offer is required to qualify for a Tier 1 or Tier 2 license. 

There are multiple pathways to a teaching license for out-of-state teachers. The most common pathways are outlined below.

Tier 4: An out-of-state teacher is eligible for a Tier 4 license if the teacher:

• holds a bachelor's degree, completed a state-approved teacher preparation program with equivalent student teaching to that of a Minnesota program (typically 12-weeks of student teaching), and has three years of teaching experience in their licensure field. Applicant may be required to complete testing.

Tier 3: An out-of-state teacher is eligible for a Tier 3 license if the teacher holds a bachelor's degree and:

• completed a state-approved teacher preparation program with equivalent student teaching to that of a Minnesota program (typically 12-weeks of student teaching). Applicant may be required to completed testing. OR
• holds or held a professional teaching license from another state, the teacher's license is in good standing, the teacher has two years of teaching experience in that state in the content area, and the teacher obtained passing scores on applicable Minnesota content and pedagogy exams.

Tier 2: An out-of-state teacher is eligible for a Tier 2 license if the teacher holds a bachelor's degree and:

• completed a state-approved teacher preparation program but did not complete a student teaching experience of at least 12 weeks or has not attempted their states' exams or the Minnesota Teacher Licensure Exams (MTLEs). Note: A teacher must have a job offer from a Minnesota public school in order to be issued a Tier 2 license.

Teachers who completed an approved teacher preparation program in another state and passed exams in that state (if applicable), may be exempt from needing additional Minnesota licensure tests. Applicants looking to use the testing exemption should provide either a copy of their professional teaching license in the state where their teacher preparation program was completed, or have their teacher preparation program complete "Verification of Out-of-State Educator Credentialing Test Scores" form as part of their licensure application.

More information about Minnesota testing requirements can be found here.

(Added January 2024).

In Minnesota, paraprofessionals can obtain a Voluntary Paraprofessional Credential, which recognizes that the paraprofessional has completed additional training and preparation. To obtain the credential, the paraprofessional must:

A. Complete 60 hours of professional development.

B. Have two or more years of experience as a paraprofessional in the same district.

C. Pass the ParaPro or ParaEducator examination.

Additionally, the paraprofessional must demonstrate knowledge and skills in 9 different competency areas. 

Voluntary Paraprofessional Credential, MN Rule 8710.9000 
Use this document for ideas how to approach each competency. An accessible format of this document is available on request.

Teachers with a Tier 1 or Tier 2 license may work in special education for 3 years. IDEA limits teachers to 3 years of teaching in a special education field without a full professional license. Additionally, federal law requires that a teacher be pursuing full certification and receive mentorship during those three years pursuant to 34 C. F. R § 300.156.

(Last updated October 2026)

Yes, teachers can use an out-of-field permission to teach special education under specific conditions. If a teacher is using an out-of-field permission as a pathway to full certification by enrolling in an additional licensure program or completing licensure via portfolio, they do qualify under IDEA in these circumstances.

(Last updated October 2026)

Yes, IDEA limits the amount of time a teacher may work out-of-field in special education while pursuing full certification to 3 years. For a teacher who is using an out-of-field permission while seeking additional licensure, this means only 3 years of work would qualify under IDEA. Districts are encouraged to contact the Minnesota Department of Education for additional information on special education funding requirements.

(Last updated October 2026)