Wisconsin Educator License Look-Up Introduction

You can use the license look-up to:

• Verify that a license application has been received by the Dept. of Public Instruction   NOTE: At this time, please allow two weeks from the date your application was mailed for it to be entered into the licensing data base. posted August 24, 2009
• Provide proof to an employer that an application for license renewal has been submitted
• Provide proof of current licensure
• Review a licensee's Wisconsin education licensure history
• Print a copy of license information
• Verify that a person has completed PDP Team Training
• Verify submission of a PDP Goal Approval form (applicable to only Initial Educators)

Enter the Educator License Lookup   Note: The license data base search pages have a new look. posted 8-24-2009

• How long will it take to get my license?

• What can I teach with my license? — License code explanations

Note: In September 2007, the Position Code for elementary education (regular education) licenses was changed from 42 (Prekindergarten - 8) to 45 (Elementary Teacher). The change has NO impact on subject/grade levels of an educator's license so there is no need to obtain a new printed license certificate. For example, all 42-116 licenses changed to 45-116 and the license still allows educators to teach students in grades 1-6.

Is your current license expired or about to expire?

If you submitted an application for renewal but have not yet received your new license, you may use the data base search to see the date of the "Most Recent Application Received" on your licensing records. "When an applicant has made a timely and accurate application for the renewal of a license or a new license of a continuing nature, the existing license does not expire until the application has been finally acted upon by DPI."  (Ch. 227.51(2), Wis. Stats.) This means that, although we may not be able to process a license renewal request until after the date of expiration, the applicant is still legally licensed. An applicant may use a photocopy of the license application, a cancelled check, or a printed copy of the data base search results as proof that a timely application for renewal has been made.

Please keep in mind that the date of the "Most recent application received" is updated in our data base only after your application has been received by DPI's Milwaukee bank, your fee payment has been processed by bank staff, the bank has couriered that day's batch of applications to our Madison office, and Madison staff have entered your application information into our data base. When your application is entered into the licensing data base by Madison staff, we enter the date that our Milwaukee bank processed your application fee payment as the date of "Most Recent Application Received." During our peak season (May to September), it may be up three weeks from the date mailed before your application can be entered into the data base.

If the license search function is not working, notify Robert Kott.

Last updated on 8/24/2009 10:45:30 AM