LICENSURE GUIDE

Wisconsin Licensure Steps

Congratulations on your acceptance to Spirit’s Teacher Program and on your

placement in Wisconsin! You will need to be licensed in order to start teaching.

To become a licensed teacher by the Wisconsin Department of Public

Instruction (DPI), please follow the steps below after your arrival in the US.

Apply for a Social Security Number after you arrive in the United States and

1 validate your program. Directions on how to apply for an SSN can be found

here.

You will apply for the Guest Teacher Pathway. This is a Tier 1 license issued to

teachers who are employed in Wisconsin as part of a teacher exchange

program. This is a three-year license that allows eligible educators from

2 other nations to come to the U.S. to teach in Wisconsin. You can apply after

July 1st for the upcoming school year. This license can be renewed for one

additional license term, to cover the full length of your program, except for

special education, which is limited to three years.

Gather the following documents for submitting your online application:

Preview the ELO Conduct & Competency Questions to see if you will

need to provide documentation of any alleged misconduct.

Request your host school to complete PI-1624 guest teacher from.
3 Copy of your Foreign Credential Evaluation from a Wisconsn DPI

approved agency.
Social Security Number (SSN)
J-1 Visa

Use the fingerprint decision tree to determine if this step is needed. If you

have determined that you need fingerprints, submit them electronically via

4 our vendor Fieldprint by following the Electronic Fingerprint Submission

directions.

Log in to ELO (Educator Licensing Online). Make sure to answer the three
onboarding questions and follow the directions in ELO using the T001-1115

5 application. You will receive an email confirmation that your application

was received. You will then follow the instructions provided to complete the

app and pay required fees.

Email Spirit and your Host School once you submit your application for

licensure. Note: For us to best assist you, it is recommended to keep Spirit

6 informed throughout the licensure application process.

Wisconsin Licensure Fees

License with Stipulations: $125
Background check: $45

version 7/20/2022