Wisconsin Educator License Application

OBTAIN ALL NECESSARY APPLICATION MATERIALS.

License Application Form

Every license applicant must submit a completed application form which includes a notarized conduct and competency review. License application forms can be obtained from:

• DPI's License Applications page. (Downloadable pdf forms). Exception: WIP Intern License application
• WI Institutions of Higher Education - School of Education where the preparation program was completed.
• Department of Public Instruction by mail. Request application materials at 1-800-266-1027 or in an e-mail request to Educator Licensing. Allow 1 week to receive materials.
  • Provide your full name, mailing address, and six-digit DPI educator file number* if you have been previously licensed in Wisconsin.
  • Identify the application form needed by form number if possible (e.g. PI-1602-5R, PI-1602-2R, etc). Form names, numbers and descriptors are available on our license applications page.
  • If you do not know which form is needed, then describe the type of license you wish to apply for (e.g. teacher, substitute license, substitute permit, administrator, special education aide, occupational or physical therapist/assistants, etc.) and state whether you are applying for a Wisconsin license for the first time or if you are renewing a previous or current license.
  • Specify that you also need fingerprint cards, if required.
    
    

DPI Fingerprint Cards if required.

Applicants who have worked, resided, or physically attended classes in any of the places below within the last twenty years after age 17 are required to submit fingerprints with their license application.

• a state other than Wisconsin,
• a listed U.S. territory (American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or Virgin Islands.),
• Canada,
• or Great Britain

Even if you previously submitted fingerprints to the Department of Public Instruction you must submit fingerprints again if, since the previous submission you have worked, resided, or physically attended classes in any of the locations listed above. (If you previously submitted fingerprints to DPI that were successfully processed and have not worked, resided or physically attended classes in any of the locations listed above since that submission, you need not submit new fingerprints.)

If your license application contains a non-Wisconsin mailing address, you are required to submit fingerprints.

Cards used for fingerprinting must be obtained directly from DPI, unless the fingerprints will be prepared by the Central Milwaukee Police Department or electronically by Promissor/IBT (a private vendor) at one of their Wisconsin locations. No other exceptions are made. After you receive the cards from DPI, you must take them to a law enforcement agency to have your prints prepared.

If you already have an application form and need only the fingerprint cards:

• Phone the department at 1-800-266-1027 and leave a fingerprint card request on our voice mail option 1, "request for application or fingerprint cards"
  OR
• E-mail a request for cards to DPI Fingerprint Cards. Be sure to include name and complete mailing address in your request. Also include your six-digit DPI educator file number if you have previously held a Wisconsin educator license. (Your DPI Educator File Number can be obtained from the Educator License Lookup. Search by entering your name and making a note of the unique six-digit file number that appears under your name on your licensing record.) Please allow 1 week to receive the fingerprint cards and instructions.
  or
• Inkless Fingerprinting Option: If you choose to have your prints prepared electronically by the private vendor, Promissor/Integrated Biometrics Technology (IBT), you are not required to request cards from the DPI. Services are offered at several sites in Wisconsin. You can schedule an appointment at a service center near you by using the IBT website. An $18.00 fee is charged (eCheck or Credit Card) at the time your appointment is submitted. See the following pdf document for more information about IBT services including locations, detailed registration instructions, and FAQs: www.asisvcs.com/publications/pdf/FP5002.pdf . To obtain information by telephone, call the IBT Reservation Center at 800-416-4896.

How to Complete the Fingerprint Cards Correctly

IMPORTANT: Cards incorrectly or incompletely filled out will be returned to the applicant and re-fingerprinting may be necessary.

For questions about this information, contact licensing@dpi.wi.gov (608) 266-1027

Last updated on 9/8/2009 3:41:27 PM