The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) developed the tiered licensure system to be a concise and objective tool to help teacher candidates navigate the required components for licensure.
Tier 1
Tier 1 licenses allow teachers to bring real-world experiences into the classroom. These educators can also step in to fill shortage areas and hard-to-staff positions.
Requirements
- Must hold a bachelor's degree.
- Applicant must have a job offer from a Minnesota public school district. District must show it could not find a teacher holding a Tier 2, 3, or 4 license for the position.
**Exemption from bachelor's degree for the following licensure areas:
- World Language - must be a native speaker
- Dance, Theatre, Visual Arts, and Music - must prove five years of relevant work experience
- Career and Technical Education and Career pathways - must have AA degree, a professional certification OR five years of relevant work experience.
Tier 2
Tier 2 licenses are a pathway to licensure for educators enrolled in a teacher preparation program or educators seeking to teach outside of their content area or scope.
Requirements
- Must hold a bachelor’s degree (or fall under the exemption areas); and
- Enrollment in a Minnesota state-approved teacher preparation program, or
- Holding a master's degree aligned to the licensure assignment, or
- Completion of an out-of-state teacher preparation program and do not yet meet all licensure requirements for a Tier 3 or Tier 4 license
Tier 3
Tier 3 licenses are the licenses that graduates of Minnesota-approved teacher preparation programs will apply for at the time of graduation.
Requirements
Must hold a bachelor's degree (or fall under the exemption areas); and pass applicable licensure exams (or fall under exemption).
Must satisfy one of the following:
- completion of a Minnesota-approved teacher preparation program;
- completion of a teacher preparation program from another state that includes field-specific student teaching equivalent to requirements of MN programs and either A) equivalent student teaching or B) two years of teaching experience
- licensure via portfolio;
- three years of teaching experience in licensure field at Tier 2;
- Professional teaching license from another state and two years of teaching experience
Tier 4
Tier 4 licenses are available for seasoned educators. In honor of teachers' training, experience, and effectiveness - Tier 4 licenses elevate the teaching profession and can be renewed indefinitely.
Requirements
Must hold a bachelor's degree (or fall under the exemption areas); and pass applicable licensure exams (or fall under exemption) and three years of teaching experience.
Must satisfy one of the following:
- completion of a Minnesota-approved teacher preparation program;
- completion of a teacher preparation program from another state that includes field-specific student teaching equivalent to requirements of MN programs and either A) equivalent student teaching or B) two years of teaching experience
- licensure via portfolio;
- National Board Certification
CEHSP Accreditation, Licensing & Field Experience
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