Frequently Asked Questions

Life Licenses

What is the Wisconsin life license? Is it possible to apply for that status?

Life licenses were issued prior to 1983 based on an individual teaching for six full semesters in Wisconsin while holding a particular educator license. Life licenses remain current as long as an individual continually teaches and/or takes course work that is related to the teaching area or any skill/knowledge that is related to the classroom (such as computers, languages, curriculum development, etc.). More information about the life licenses can be found in administrative rules PI 3.03 (then scroll down to "Life Licenses").

I had a life license that was issued in 1976, but I have been out of teaching since 1995. Now I want to do substitute teaching. What do I have to do?

Your life license is currently invalid since you have been out of the teaching profession for five or more years. You can revalidate that license with the completion of six semester credits (or the equivalent) of refresher work (course work in your content area or related to education in general). In the meantime, you could apply for a substitute license (use the PI-1602-5R form) without completing any credits. That would allow you to do long-term substitute teaching in the area(s) in which you were licensed and short-term substitute teaching in everything else. If you have already been hired and do not have the six credits of refresher work done, your school district could request a one-year non-renewable license on your behalf (use the PI-1602-5R form with a letter of request from the district attached) so that you can get the required credits completed. Note: the credits must be done by the end (June 30th) of that one-year license period.

I have a life license but have not held a K-12 teaching position for over 15 years. However I have been teaching at the college level for the past three years. Is my license still valid if I wish to return to teaching in the public schools?

A life license is valid as long as an individual is continually teaching and/or taking credits related to their education profession. Employment at the college level is accepted as experience which will keep the life license active.

I was issued a life license certificate by DPI in 1977 but I have not taught since the early 1980s. I realize my license has lapsed but I have recently completed the required six credits to revalidate it. What forms do I need to submit to DPI?

It is not necessary to submit any paperwork to DPI. By completing the professional growth requirement your life license is again valid. If you are applying for employment you should supply the school/district with a copy of your life license and the original transcripts verifying completion of six credits. Although it is not necessary to supply this information to DPI, if you specifically wish to have a duplicate copy of your license sent to you then you must submit a PI-1602-DUP application along with your transcripts and processing fee.

I was issued a life license in 1982 but when I checked the DPI License database, I don't find my record. How can I verify that I had a life license?

If your license does not appear on the license database, it is probably because you have not been active in the teaching profession for five or more years (causing the license to lapse) and your records have been moved to a different computer storage area that is not accessible on-line. Please contact Robert Kott for assistance in locating your records.

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Other questions about life licenses may be directed to Educator Licensing

Last updated on 3/3/2008 9:31:46 AM