Frequently Asked Questions

License Stipulations/Deficiencies

Note: DPI no longer issues Two-year Licenses with Minor Deficiencies. When holders of a two-year license apply and are found to be eligible for license renewal, a five-year non-renewable educator license will be issued. Any and all remaining deficiencies/stipulations must be satisfied during that 5 year license period.

I received a Professional Educator License with Stipulations and some of the course work stipulations that were cited by DPI are classes that I've already taken. What do I do?

If you feel you have already completed course work that covers any stipulation cited by our office, make a copy of the letter and send it to the college/university where you completed your educator preparation program. Request an official from that college or university (preferably the certification officer or dean of the education department) forward verification to our Madison office (DPI-Teacher Licensing, PO Box 7841, Madison, WI 53707-7841) that cites specific course work that satisfies one or more of the stipulations. You will then receive written confirmation from DPI of any changes regarding your stipulations.

I've sent my deficiency/stipulation letter off to my former college and now have an amended stipulation list from DPI. Where do I take the classes to remove the remaining stipulations?

Most four-year teacher education colleges and UW-Extension have course work you can take that will help remove the deficiencies. Contact the college's certification officer to find out what class would meet each deficiency. Some Wisconsin colleges offer course work designed to assist with stipulations/deficiencies, including summer offerings. Coursework can be taken at either the undergraduate or graduate level; it is your choice UNLESS we state it must be graduate course work. Stipulations cannot be removed by experience except for the conflict resolution requirement and, when specified, student teaching.

I have a License with Stipulations. How much time do I have to do the course work needed to remove the deficiencies?

All remaining deficiencies/stipulations and your continuing education must be completed during the 5-year license period to be eligible for a regular 5-year Professional Educator License (without stipulations) at the next renewal.

I was issued a two-year license with course work deficiencies, but I let my license lapse when I left the education field. I'm interested in teaching again. What do I do next?

You will need to show evidence that you completed at least one of your deficiencies/stipulations, (or are at least enrolled in course work to remove at least one deficiency/stipulation) before we can renew your license. The deficiencies/stipulations that were cited originally still apply. To renew the license (convert it to a 5-year Professional Educator License with Stipulations), you will need to use the PI-1602-2R application form and pay the $100 processing fee (and submit fingerprint cards if required - see application form for more information). Important Note: If you were out of the teaching field for five or more years, you will need to also complete six semester credits of refresher work and submit verification (original grade reports or transcripts) with your application. Be aware that your refresher work can be taken in the area(s) of your course work deficiencies/stipulations.

I received my license in kindergarten to grade 6, but I have a large number of stipulations in kindergarten and may not want to keep that license. Can I get the license for only grades 1-6 instead?

At the time you renew your license, you may reduce the grade range of the elementary license down to another license category like grades 1-6 that we normally issue (but we wouldn't allow you to reduce it to grades 3-5 as we don't normally issue that license). But, be aware that there are stipulations that are specific just to kindergarten and some that apply to all teaching licenses. Thus, reducing your license to grades 1-6 may only remove those stipulations specific to licensure in kindergarten. Later if you want to add kindergarten back on to your license, you will still have to satisfy all stipulations that were originally cited. The option to reduce the range of a license is not available to those who completed approved programs after August 31, 2004 and were issued licenses with developmental ranges.

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Other questions about two-year licenses may be directed to Educator Licensing.

Last updated on 7/1/2008 1:47:14 PM