Library Media License Questions

Answers to Commonly Asked Questions

Click for Information on Upcoming Changes in Licensing

NOTE: If your question is not answered here, please contact Nancy Anderson, School Library Media Consultant, Department of Public Instruction, (608) 267-9287. E-mail: nancy.anderson@dpi.wi.gov

What are the library media licenses?

With the implementation of Chapter PI 34, Teacher Education Program Approval and Licenses, which became effective July 1, 2004, there are some changes in library media and technology licensing to assure that persons entering the school library media and technology professions will be well qualified to meet the complex challenges inherent in providing a good program of library media and technology services in schools.
New licenses are:
- 902 - Initial Instructional Library Media Specialist based on completion of a teacher training program and a library media services comprehensive program (equivalent to a major or minor). This is non-renewable.
- 902 - with stipulations Instructional Library Media Specialist based on holding a professional educator license in an area other than school library media services and completing an approved program for the initial library media specialist. This is non-renewable.
- 902 - Professional Instructional Library Media Specialist based on a master"s degree or equivalent for professional educator within 5 years of obtaining the initial certification and has held the initial library media specialist license for at least 3 years. The 902 at the professional educator level must be renewed every 5 years.
- 91 - Instructional Library Media Supervisor (initial, professional and master) based on a master"s degree, an approved program for Library Media Supervisor based on PI 34.03 and 3 years successful experience as an instructional library media specialist. This is an administrative license.
- 92 - Instructional Technology Coordinator (initial, professional and master) based on a master"s degree or equivalent in an approved program for Instructional Technology Coordinator based on PI 34.03 and 3 years successful classroom teaching experience. This is an administrative license.
Are there other library media licenses?

Four licenses were created in 1986. The licenses were:
- Initial Instructional Library Media Specialist (901)
- Instructional Library Media Specialist (902)
- Instructional Technology Specialist (903)
- Instructional Library Media Supervisor (91)
Prior to 1986 there were four others:
- School Librarian (900)
- Audiovisual Coordinator (905)
- Audiovisual Director (904)
- School Library Supervisor (900-09)
While universities no longer offer programs to prepare candidates for these licenses, persons holding licenses in these areas may continue to renew them every five years upon completion of 6 college credits or a Professional Development Plan (PDP).
Is it still possible to obtain life licenses?
No. The State Superintendent ruled that after July 1, 1983, no new life licenses in any teaching area would be issued. However, that ruling does not invalidate existing life licenses. A life license will remain valid as long as the person holding it remains active in the teaching profession. It will lapse if a person does not teach for a period of five years. It can be reinstated, however.
What is the renewal requirement for library media licenses?
All licenses, except the 902 Initial and 902 with stipulations must be renewed every five years. Licenses may be renewed based on completion of a Professional Development Plan (PDP) or 6 academic semester credits related to any license held or in professional growth and development.
The 901 license, the 902 Initial Instructional Library Media Specialist license and the 902 with stipulations license cannot be renewed. The 903 license is no longer issued. By the end of the five years during which it is valid, persons must meet the requirements for the 902 Professional Instructional Library Media Specialist license. This requires a master's degree in school library media services or an equivalent from an approved preparation program and at least 3 years of school library media experience. See Question 8 for an explanation of approved programs.
Can I still use DPI clock hours for license renewal?
Persons who hold the 902, 903, or 91 licenses or the pre-1986 licenses (900, 904, 905, 900-09) as of 7/1/2004, may continue to renew them by completing either a PDP or using the semester credit/equivalency clock hour option through 6/30/2008. Though no longer issued, DPI clock hours earned prior to 6/30/2004 may be used for license renewal until 6/30/2008. They may be used by themselves (30 hours=1 credit) or in combination with college credits. After 7/1/2008, professional licenses may be renewed using 6 college credits or the PDP.
Who must obtain one of the new licenses?
Persons entering the profession after Aug. 31, 2004, must obtain one of the new licenses as prescribed by PI 34.
Who should obtain one of the new licenses?
Those who intend to remain in the profession for a number of years, those who wish to upgrade their status and eligibility for advancement, and those who might apply for a position in another school district should consider obtaining one of the new licenses. School districts commonly insist on the newer credential when posting job vacancies. See Question 10 for information on converting old licenses to new ones.
How are teacher license and certification programs established?
The State Superintendent establishes requirements for licensing persons who work in schools. A college or university wishing to prepare candidates for a license puts together a program of courses to meet the requirements. The program must specify how applicant performance will be assessed. The State Superintendent reviews and approves the program. Once the college or university has an approved program, it can accept students. When the students have met all the requirements of the program, the college or university recommends them for certification by endorsing their application for a license. The college or university then forwards the endorsed application to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), which issues the license. This is known as the approved program process for certification. The DPI approves the university or college program, and the university or college endorses the candidate"s application for a license.
How can I get the license?
There are two alternatives:
1. The candidate takes transcripts, etc. to a university that offers an approved program leading to the license. An advisor at the university examines the credits, coursework taken, and degrees earned and then informs the candidate what additional coursework is needed to complete the program. When the appropriate credits have been earned, the candidate fills out an application for the license and sends it to the university's certifying officer who endorses it and forwards it to the DPI.
  In case the candidate already meets all the requirements of the program through previous coursework, the university's certifying officer could endorse the application immediately. Persons with the old licenses who have pursued continuing education on a regular basis may be close to meeting the requirements of the new licenses.
2. The candidate obtains a new license on the basis of licenses he or she already holds. This is called the grandparent or conversion process. For example, a person holding both a School Librarian (900) and an Audiovisual Director (904) or an Audiovisual Coodinator (905) license can send a completed license application directly to DPI and obtain an Instructional Library Media Specialist license (902) without going through a university.
Where can I obtain the courses necessary to qualify for the new licenses?
The following University of Wisconsin campuses offer programs leading to the new library media licenses: Eau Claire, Madison, Milwaukee, Oshkosh, Superior, and Whitewater. Courses may also be taken through the UW School Library Education Consortium (UWSSLEC) or through Cardinal Stritch University. Courses for the Instructional Technology Coordinator"s license may be taken from UW-Madison, Cardinal Stritch University or Edgewood College. A separate document lists programs offered by each university and persons to contact for information.
For what positions are the new licenses appropriate?
The Initial Instructional Library Media Specialist (902) license is appropriate for persons entering the profession with minimum qualifications who provide basic professional services within an established library media program at the school building level.
The Professional Instructional Library Media Specialist (902) license is appropriate for persons who, in addition to providing basic professional services, may be responsible for establishing or directing a full program of library media services at the school building level.
The Instructional Library Media Supervisor (91) license is appropriate for persons responsible for directing the complete range of library media services at the building and district levels, including supervision and evaluation of all professional and support staff. This is an administrative level license. (Note: while this license is not required by standard h for direction and coordination of the district's library media program, it does prepare the person best for these responsibilities, and in addition, allows supervision and evaluation of professional staff. Either the 902 license or the equivalent combination of old licenses will meet the minimum requirements for district library media program direction and coordination stated in standard h.)
The Instructional Technology Coordinator (92) license is appropriate for persons who will be responsible for directing and administering the school district"s instructional computing and technology program. This is an administrative license and follows the same requirements as other administrative licensing, including three years of successful teaching experience.
How do I get a Master Educator or Master Administrator license?
The Master licenses are not required. At this time the only method for obtaining the Master Educator License is by taking the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards exam, with a Wisconsin Master Educator Assessment Process in development. There is a National Board exam for library media specialists. The process for the master 91 and master 92 licenses follows the guidelines established for the PI 34.19 Master Educator license. Master licenses must be renewed every 10 years.

Definitions as used in this document:

The terms "instructional media" and "library media" refer to the broad range of printed, audiovisual, and electronic materials used in teaching and learning and imply a reference to the equipment related to their use.
The term "instructional media services" or "library media services" includes, but is not limited to, evaluation, selection, organization, production, and use of these materials and equipment throughout a school.
"Instructional technology" refers to the variety of non-print materials and equipment used in a school to facilitate teaching and learning, including computers and related equipment, audiovisual materials, and interactive telecommunication systems. Instructional technology includes the use of computers and other technologies as an integral part of the curriculum and instructional program for students
The term "Professional development plan" means a list of activities, timelines for achievement, and a plan for assessment that indicates professional growth that has as a goal the improvement of student learning.

For questions about this information, contact Nancy E. Anderson (608) 267-9287

Last updated on 10/16/2008 10:48:43 AM