The state-wide school closures and other measures taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have presented unprecedented challenges, including effects to the licensing process for both current and aspiring educators.
This webpage addresses frequently asked questions (FAQs) about those impacts.
The FAQs will be updated on a regular basis throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The FAQs were last updated on November 3, 2021.
Q. Is PELSB still accepting licensure applications? How long will it take to receive my license? Last updated November 3, 2021
A. Yes, PELSB is still accepting applications. Applicants are welcome to mail their application or drop it off outside of PELSB’s office using the designated drop-box. Please note that PELSB’s offices remain closed to visitors.
Q. Can I apply for a Tier 3 license without taking licensure examinations? Last updated November 3, 2021
A. At this time, PELSB is no longer accepting applications for the Conditional Tier 3 license. Candidates must have applied for the one year license by October 31, 2020 to qualify.
Note: A teacher with a Conditional Tier 3 license that passes the required MTLEs can apply to remove the conditions of the license. Please review the application form for more information.
Q. My college is not sending out paper transcripts. Where can I send official electronic transcripts? Last updated November 2, 2020
A. Official electronic transcripts can be sent directly from the college to pelsb@state.mn.us. Do not have the transcripts sent to your personal or work email address. Electronic transcripts sent directly to the applicant make the transcripts unofficial. If the transcripts were obtained under a different name, please make reference to this on your application so PELSB staff are able to identify the transcripts.
Q. I am unable to access a fingerprint service. What happens if I cannot have my fingerprints taken for the background check before I need to apply for my initial license? Last updated November 3, 2021
A. Please see FAQs on fingerprinting for more information.
Q. I was prepared in another state and am moving to Minnesota for my first teacher license. I did not complete 12 weeks of student teaching due to COVID-19. What are my options? Last updated November 3, 2021
A. For those who completed student teaching during the 20-21 school year, teacher candidates must have completed 12 weeks of student teaching. Student teaching weeks do no need to be continuous, nor do they need to be completed face-to-face.
For those who completed student teaching in Spring 2020, teacher candidates must have completed 10 or more weeks of student teaching to meet Minnesota’s student teaching requirement for a Tier 3 license. Teacher candidates who completed 9 weeks or fewer of student teaching may meet student teaching requirements if the candidate completed additional or supplemental activities in lieu of student teaching weeks.
If neither of these options are met, or you have additional questions, please contact PELSB at pelsb@state.mn.us or 651-539-4200 Tuesday-Thursday 9am – 12:00pm staff will work with you as part of the application process to explore other options for becoming licensed.
Q. I need to take the Minnesota Teacher Licensure Exams (MTLEs) to renew my Tier 1 license. Are testing center open? Will I be able to renew my license without completing testing? Last updated May 26, 2020
A. Many testing sites opened on May 18. The MTLE website has the most up-to-date information on open test sites and examination dates.
In order to renew a Tier 1 license, a teacher must attempt the required licensure examinations. All licenses set to expire on June 30, 2020, will be extended for 6 months in order to give teachers time to complete renewal requirements, including testing and mandatory trainings (such as cultural competency). PELSB encourages applicants to apply for renewal as soon as they are able to do so. Licenses must be renewed by January 1, 2021.
Q. My license is up for renewal in 2020 and I have not completed all the licensure renewal requirements. Will I be able to renew? Last updated November 2, 2020
A. All licenses that expired on June 30, 2020, have been extended for 6 months in order to give teachers time to complete renewal requirements, including clock hours and mandatory trainings (such as cultural competency). PELSB encourages applicants to apply for renewal as soon as they are able to do so. Licenses must be renewed by January 1, 2021.
Note: Teachers who held a Tier 1 or Tier 2 license expiring on June 30, 2020 and switch school districts or content areas will not receive the 6 month extension to their license. Teachers in these instances must meet applicable renewal requirements to renew their license.
Q. My school district has cancelled upcoming continuing education trainings. Are there ways to meet clock hours, mandatory components, or cultural competency training requirements online?
A. There are a number of online opportunities available to gain clock hours or mandatory component requirements. PELSB strongly recommends that before purchasing any materials that you check with your local continuing education committee to ensure these clock hours or mandatory components will be approved. These resources include:
PELSB has a list of approved cultural competency trainings on our website.
Q. Is PELSB providing extensions to those who have licenses up for renewal in 2020? Last updated November 2, 2020
A. All licenses that expired on June 30, 2020, have been extended for 6 months in order to give teachers time to complete renewal requirements, including testing and mandatory trainings (such as cultural competency). PELSB encourages applicants to apply for renewal as soon as they are able to do so. Teachers must renew their license by January 1, 2021.
Note: Licenses will not reflect the extension. A notice on Educator License Lookup will indicate that licenses that expired on June 30, 2020 now expire on December 31, 2020.
Note: PELSB is currently evaluating how the extensions will impact STAR reporting and how to best support districts that must collect data to meet state and federal reporting requirements.
Note: Out-of-field permissions (OFPs) and Innovative Program Permissions (IPPs) will not be extended and must be renewed for the 20-21 academic year.
Note: Teachers who held a Tier 1 or Tier 2 license expiring on June 30, 2020 and switch school districts or content areas will not receive the 6 month extension to their license. Teachers in these instances must meet applicable renewal requirements to renew their license.
Q. How many weeks of student teaching is required? Last updated November 3, 2021
A. For candidates who are completing student teaching in the 2021-22 school year: Candidates must complete 12 weeks of student teaching face-to-face. Some preparation providers have been granted discretionary variances to allow candidates to complete up to four weeks of student teaching online if there is a shift in a school’s instructional model due to COVID-19.
Q. Where can I find more COVID-19 guidance and updates for schools and districts?
A. Please view the following guidance below:
Q. Where can I find more COVID-19 guidance and updates for schools and districts?
A. The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is providing regular updates on its webpage, https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/health/covid19/ . Additionally, the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) also put together this inciteful handout: Addressing Shortages of Educators in an Uncertain COVID-19 Landscape: Viewing Teacher Candidates as Assets.
Q. Where can I find more COVID-19 guidance and updates on the Minnesota Teacher Licensure Exams (MTLEs)?
A. Pearson, the MTLE testing vendor, has a COVID-19 response page that can be found here: https://home.pearsonvue.com/coronavirus-update
Q. Where can I find more COVID-19 guidance and updates on fingerprinting?
A. The Minnesota Bureau of Apprehension (BCA) is providing regular updates on its webpage, https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/bca/Pages/default.aspx.
