Cover page, Glossary & Acronyms
In Minnesota, a teacher must hold a license to teach in a public school or a charter school. While there are multiple pathways to obtain a professional license in Minnesota, the majority to teachers pursue licensure by completing a teacher preparation program.
To offer a teacher preparation program to candidates seeking teacher licensure in Minnesota, a provider must obtain “unit approval.” The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) is responsible for approving and overseeing teacher preparation providers in Minnesota. This oversight involves monitoring teacher preparation providers of their ability to meet “unit standards.” The unit approval process is outlined in 8705.1100.
Continue reading the full chapter here.
The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) is responsible for approving and overseeing teacher preparation providers and programs in Minnesota. Minnesota Rules, chapter 8705, establishes the requirements and approval processes.
A teacher preparation provider seeking to prepare candidates for teacher licensure in Minnesota must become approved as a “unit.” In order to become approved as a unit, the provider must demonstrate how the provider meets the standards set forth in rule part 8705.1010. These standards are often referred to as “Unit Standards.”
Unit Standards cover the foundational components a teacher preparation provider must implement to support teacher candidates as they prepare for teacher licensure in Minnesota and to ensure the provider has the infrastructure in place to maintain and continuously improve programs.
This chapter is intended to provide clarity around standards with the greatest amount of questions. We anticipate that this chapter will grow in future releases.
In addition to approving and overseeing unit approval, PELSB is responsible for approving all teacher licensure programs in Minnesota. A teacher preparation program (sometimes called “licensure program”) is licensure-specific training (e.g. elementary education, visual arts) provided to teacher candidates. A teacher preparation provider seeking to prepare candidates for teacher licensure in Minnesota must have each of its programs approved prior to enrolling candidates.
PELSB is required by federal law to report and verify data on all board-approved teacher preparation programs and providers. This data is publicly available and includes information on enrollment, program completion, and preparation standards, as well as pass rates.
Discretionary Variance Request Form (updated 1/22/2024)
All discretionary variances granted under 2014 rule expired when 2021 rule took effect on July 1, 2022. Prior agreements between providers and the Board of Teaching and PELSB also expired at that time.
Teacher preparation discretionary variances (refer to COVID-19 Manual for discretionary variances specific to the impacts of the COVID pandemic).
The Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) creates and implements standards and rules that align with Minnesota Statute to impact the areas of initial licensure, licensure renewal, ethics and teacher preparation.
As you work with PELSB, please be aware of a few tips that will make working with PELSB more efficient:
Appendix A: Unit Rule Sample Evidence and Questions
Appendix B: Preparing for the Site Visit
Appendix D: Steps and Guidance for Submitting RIPAs and PERCAs
Appendix G: Unit Standards Matrix This document compares the 2014 Unit Standards with the 2021 Unit Standards.
