College of Education and Human Service Professions

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Tier 3 License

Department of Education

COVID-19 Teacher License Options

During spring 2020, Governor Walz signed a bill to allow teachers to be issued a Conditional Tier 3 license or a Tier 3 license due to COVID-19. 

Please see the below guidance for the Tier 3 and Tier 3 Conditional Licenses.

Tier 3 License
(license issued starting July 1, 2018 and forward):

License RequirementsNumber of Year License ValidRenewalBargaining/ContractLicense Notes:

3 years

Can be renewed indefinitely.

Tier 3 License Renewal Requirements Fact Sheet

Learn more online at: 

https://mn.gov/pelsb/current-educators/renew/

Teachers are in the Bargaining Unit and must complete three years of probation.  If a teacher at Tier 3 got to Tier 3 via Tier 2, to years of teaching at Tier 2 can count towards the 3 year probationary requirement*.

Teachers at Tier 3 have continuing contract rights after completion of probationary period.

*Note:  The route from Tier 2 to Tier 3 without completing teacher preparation is highly controversial and may be closed as a route at any point in time during a legislative cycle so don't bank on this route as an option to Tier 3!

  • License can be used any with district.
  • Can be used for the following teaching assignments:  full time classroom teacher (aligned with license), short-call sub, long term sub (aligned with license).

How to Apply for a  Tier 3 License:

Tier 3 Checklist :  Tier 3 Checklist

PELSB License Application Processing:

  • The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board will have all license applications processed within 30 days of receiving the application materials with UMD recomendation and the returned background check results from the background check agency.
  • PELSB will no longer be processing license expedites with districts.

Conditional Tier 3 License
(license issued May 29-October 31, 2020):

License RequirementsNumber of Year License ValidExpirationOptions after Expiration
  • Bachelor's Degree Earned
  • Completion of Teacher Preparation Program Requirements

1 year

6/31/2021

  • If MTLE Content & Pedagogy Exams passed, you will move to a Tier 3 license for an additional 2 years.  Note:  License renewal fee will be waived.  Renew online to Tier 3 starting January 1, 2021:  PELSB Renewal
  • If MTLE Content & Pedagogy exams are not passed, you will move to a Tier 2 license with a MN Public School Job offer until MTLE Content & Pedagogy exams are passed and then you would renew to a Tier 3 license.  Note:  License fee not waived.  Apply for a Tier 2 license through PELSB

How to Apply for a Conditional Tier 3 License:

Conditional Tier 3 Checklist :  Conditional Tier 3 Checklist

PELSB License Application Processing:

  • The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board will have all license applications processed within 30 days of receiving the application materials with UMD recomendation and the returned background check results from the background check agency.
  • PELSB will no longer be processing license expedites with districts.