Navigating Minnesota Educator Licensing: A Comprehensive Guide
Minnesota's education system is built on collaboration, innovation, and a deep commitment to student success. A valid Minnesota teaching license is required to teach in public schools. 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. This guide provides information on how to become a teacher in Minnesota, including information on the tiered licensing program.
Understanding the Tiered Licensure System
Minnesota recently overhauled its teacher certification system to help remedy a growing teacher shortage and maintain its favorable teacher-to-student ratio. A restructured tiered teacher system took effect in 2018, which put more control in the hands of employing school districts. The tiered licensure system in Minnesota is designed to provide multiple pathways for educators to enter and advance within the profession. The system consists of four tiers, each with specific requirements and privileges. The tiers are designed to recognize different levels of experience, education, and expertise. The new license requirements are intended to make the certification process more flexible and streamlined.
For a helpful overview of Minnesota’s four-tiered teacher licensure system, refer to the Minnesota PELSB’s Educator Licensure infographic.
Tier 1 License
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. The Tier 1 License is valid for 1 school year and renewable up to 3 times*. Designed for individuals who do not yet meet full licensure requirements but have been hired by a school district to fill a specific teaching position, the Tier 1 License is often used by career changers, those in high-need subject areas, or professionals with industry expertise.
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.
Exemptions 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.
*Additional renewals may be available based on good cause.
Read also: University of Minnesota Data
Tier 2 License
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. The Tier 2 License is valid for 2 years and renewable up to 3 times. It is designed for those who have not completed a full teacher preparation program but have a strong background in their subject area or are currently enrolled in an educator preparation program.
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 License
Tier 3 licenses are the licenses that graduates of Minnesota-approved teacher preparation programs will apply for at the time of graduation. The Tier 3 License is valid for 3 years and can be renewed an unlimited number of times. It is designed for educators who have completed a teacher preparation program and passed all required exams.
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 License
Tier 4 licenses are available for seasoned educators. The Tier 4 License is valid for 5 years and can be renewed an unlimited number of times.
Requirements:
- Must meet all requirements.
Specialized Licensure Options
In addition to traditional and alternative pathways, Minnesota offers 3 specialized licensure options to address the diverse needs of educators and students: the Portfolio Pathway, the Heritage Language and Culture Licensure Pathway Program, and the American Indian Educators Pathway.
Steps to Obtain a Tier 3 or Tier 4 License
Earn a Bachelor's Degree and Complete a Teacher Preparation Program: Prospective Minnesota teachers must complete a bachelor’s degree and an educator preparation program from a college or university approved by the state. The bachelor’s degree major will depend on the grade level and subject to be taught. A list of approved programs that qualify graduates for licensure in Minnesota is available through the PELSB. You can compare key metrics for state-approved teacher preparation programs on our Minnesota schools page. You can also read about two important accreditations to consider, institutional accreditation and programmatic accreditation, on our teaching schools guide. State-approved teacher preparation programs allow candidates to complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree as part of the program curriculum. Participation in a state-approved teacher preparation program, whether in conjunction with a bachelor’s degree or as a separate enrollment, also remains an important component of the new certification system. You must graduate from a state-approved teacher preparation program to earn Tier 4 licensure and it is among the variable options for meeting the requirements for Tier 3. Proof of enrollment in a teacher preparation program is necessary for Tier 2 licensure. In addition, all Minnesota-approved teacher preparation programs are required to include a human relations course on teaching students of diverse backgrounds.
Read also: Guide to UMN Merit Scholarships
Gain Student Teaching Experience: As part of your teacher preparation program, you will complete a minimum of 12 weeks of full-time student teaching. You will be paired with a cooperating teacher who holds a Tier 3 or Tier 4 license and a provider supervisor while you practice teaching in the classroom and receive feedback. The student teaching experience should be at the grade level and in the subject you wish to teach. Some programs may offer longer or multiple student teaching placements. Student teaching in Minnesota is completed while you are enrolled in a state-approved teacher preparation program. This experience lasts a minimum of 12 weeks during which time you work with a mentor teacher who holds a Tier 3 or 4 license in the subject area in which you are seeking certification. A provider supervisor also oversees your student teaching experience.
Pass the Required Minnesota Teacher Exams: Teacher candidates applying for Tier 3 or Tier 4 Licenses in Minnesota who have completed an approved teacher preparation program are no longer required to pass content or pedagogy exams. Minnesota certification exams assess basic skills as well as professional and subject area knowledge. You must demonstrate basic skills in reading, writing and mathematics by passing the MN National Evaluation Series (NES) Essential Academic Skills examination. All Minnesota candidates must pass both pedagogy and content area tests from the Minnesota Teacher Licensure Examinations (MTLE), given by Pearson Education, that correlate with the license field being pursued. However, candidates seeking licensure in Adult Basic Education; American Indian Language, History and Culture; and Parent and Family Education do not have to take a pedagogy test for initial licensure. However, these teachers must pass a pedagogy test to add another license field.
Apply for Minnesota Teacher Certification: Once you’ve fulfilled the necessary requirements for teacher licensure in Minnesota, you can apply online through the Minnesota PELSB Online Licensing System. After you fulfill the education and assessment requirements for the type of license you are pursuing, you are ready to apply to the PELSB. Once all of the requirements for Minnesota teacher certification are met, candidates must submit an application for a teaching license on the online licensing system. Along with your application, you should include: Completed fingerprint cards for background check Official transcripts showing proof of bachelor’s degree Proof of program completion at an approved teacher preparation school License processing fee Contact the PELSB for further information on teaching certification in Minnesota. Your application for certification requires proof of enrollment or completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program, depending on the type of licensure you are seeking. You also must have proof of the degrees and assessment scores needed to obtain your license. Initial applicants also must submit results of a national criminal background check by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the FBI. This process involves submitting essential documents, such as official transcripts, proof of program completion, a completed fingerprint card, and application fee.
License Renewal
- Tier 1 and 2 Licenses: These licenses can be renewed up to 3 times*. The process requires a District Verification Form completed by the employing school district.
- Tier 3 Licenses: These licenses are valid for 3 years and can be renewed indefinitely through the Minnesota PELSB Online Licensing System. Tier 3 renewal requires 75 clock hours within each three-year period preceding the renewal
- Tier 4 Licenses: These licenses are valid for 5 years and can be renewed indefinitely through the Minnesota PELSB Online Licensing System. Tier 4 renewal requires 125 clock hours within each five-year period preceding the renewal.
All hours must be approved through the local school district’s continuing education committee. The clock hours must include training in positive behavioral intervention strategies, reading preparation, key warning signs for early-onset mental illness, suicide prevention, English learners, cultural competency, and American Indian history and culture.
For an overview of renewal requirements, refer to the Renewal Requirements Chart.
Read also: UMN Cost of Attendance
*Additional renewals may be available based on good cause.
Alternative Pathways to Licensure
The new licensure system effective July 1, 2018, allows several options for alternate teaching certification, depending on the type of license being pursued. At every Tier, requirements were revised to allow teaching candidates more flexibility in gaining licensure. Appropriate teaching experience can be used to substitute for teacher preparation program requirements at the Tier 2 and 3 licensure levels.
- Alternative Licensure Programs: Timeframes vary based on program structure, and candidates often teach under a Tier 2 License while completing licensure requirements.
Applying for Minnesota Teaching Certification Based on Out-of-State Education and Experience
If you are applying for Minnesota teaching certification based on out-of-state education and experience, teaching reciprocity agreements can expedite the process. Out-of-state teachers do not receive full reciprocity in Minnesota. All licensure candidates who completed out-of-state teacher preparation programs must meet Minnesota’s human relations coursework requirement. Other coursework may be required, depending on the curriculum of the specific out-of-state program. All out-of-state candidates must pass MTLE content and pedagogy exams for a Professional license. After July 1, 2018, candidates who have not passed the exams can apply for a Tier 2 license prior to passing the required exams if offered a position.
Adding Subjects or Grades to a Certificate
Once you receive your teaching certificate, you will only be eligible to work as a teacher in the grade levels and certification areas listed on your certificate, though occasional, temporary exceptions are made. To add a subject area to an existing license, teachers should connect with a teacher preparation program who can review their prior coursework and help you make a plan of study to add the new field. Candidates must apply using the paper application corresponding to their tier. In most cases, applicants should use a Tier 3 application. The initial license can be applied for via the online licensing system. You should include a copy of your out-of-state license with your application.
Salary, Benefits and Job Stability
Minnesota provides competitive benefits for teachers, including health insurance options covering medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. Minnesota’s education system is built on collaboration, innovation, and a deep commitment to student success. Minnesota provides exceptional job stability for educators, supported by a strong commitment to education. Minnesota teacher salaries depend on multiple factors, including experience, education, subject area, grade level, and school district. Teachers in Minnesota earn salaries affected by factors such as a teacher’s education, experience and type of license.
The median salary for teachers varies depending on where you work. According to Salary.com, the median pay for public school teachers in Minneapolis is $65,650 per year.
Demand for Teachers in Minnesota
Demand for teachers is high due to a teacher shortage in Minnesota. Seventy percent of Minnesota school districts report being “somewhat significantly” or “very significantly” impacted by the shortage.
According to the 2021 Minnesota Teacher Supply and Demand Report published by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, 70% of the school districts in the state report being impacted at least “somewhat significantly” by the teacher shortage. This means that teachers are in demand in those school districts.
In-Demand Teaching Careers in Minnesota
Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers: Kindergarten and elementary school teachers work with young children to teach them the alphabet, counting, math, reading, science, and more. They teach young kids how to interact with their peers and with authority figures. They create lesson plans for each subject and grade students’ finished assignments.
Middle School Teachers: Middle school teachers typically work with students in grades six through eight. They work to prepare students to start high school by evaluating their strengths and weaknesses and adjusting their lesson plans accordingly. They create lesson plans, teach students, and grade students’ assignments. They may specialize in one or more subjects.
High School Teachers: High school teachers work with students in grades 9-12. They help prepare their students for life after high school, whether that is college or a job. They plan their lessons, teach students according to their lesson plans, and reflect on student outcomes. They also consider students’ strengths and opportunity areas when updating or making new lesson plans.
Special Education Teachers: Special education teachers work with students who have special needs, either in small groups or one-on-one. They evaluate their students’ skills and make educational plans that suit their individual needs. Special education teachers help develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for each student and ensure that the plan is followed. You can apply for English as a Second Language (K-12) certification in Minnesota as a first-time teaching license. It also can be added as an endorsement later to an existing certificate. Having this certification allows you to teach English as a Second Language across all grade levels. You must be enrolled in a state-approved teacher preparation program in English as a Second Language to apply for a Tier 2 license under the new licensure system effective July 1, 2018. Required assessments include the Minnesota NES Essential Academic Skills test or a state-accepted alternative. While the certification is valid across all ages, you must specialize in a grade level by passing either the MTLE Pedagogy: Elementary Education (K-6) or Pedagogy: Secondary Education (Grades 5-12). Special education certification in Minnesota is available to first-time teaching candidates by obtaining the Academic and Behavioral Strategist (ABS) License. This certification allows you to work across several disability areas for children from kindergarten to age 21 with a range of mild to moderate needs. Completion of a bachelor’s degree is necessary. You must be enrolled in a state-approved teacher preparation program in special education to apply for a Tier 2 license under the new system. Required assessments include the Minnesota NES Essential Academic Skills test or a state-accepted alternative test. In addition, you must choose between the MTLE Pedagogy: Elementary Education (K-6) or Pedagogy: Secondary Education (Grades 5-12), depending on the grade levels you want to teach.
Career and Technical Education Teachers: Career and technical education teachers work with high school students to help them learn job skills that may help them succeed on the job after school. They may teach auto repair, graphic arts, cosmetology, culinary arts, or another job-related subject area. Career and technical education teachers often use hands-on projects to give kids real-world experience in their field of study.
Areas of Shortage
According to the US Department of Education Teacher Shortage Area report for 2023-2024, Minnesota broadly had the following shortages:
- Art and Music Education: Dance, Pre-K-12
- Art and Music Education: Theatre, Pre-K-12
- Art and Music Education: Visual and Performing Arts, Pre-K-12
- Career and Technical Education: Multiple Areas, Pre-K-12
- Early Childhood: Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Pre-K-6
- English as a Second Language: English as a Second Language, Pre-K-12
- Health and Physical Fitness: Health Science
- Health and Physical Fitness: Physical Education, Pre-K-12
- Language Arts: Reading, Pre-K-6
- Science: Chemistry, Pre-K-12
- Science: Earth and Space Science, Pre-K-12
- Science: General Science, Pre-K-12
- Science: Life Sciences, Pre-K-12
- Science: Physics, Pre-K-12
- Special Education: Adaptive Physical Education, Pre-K-12
- Special Education: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Pre-K-12
- Special Education: Deaf/Hearing Impairment, Pre-K-12
- Special Education: Developmental Disabilities, Pre-K-12
- Special Education: Emotional Disabilities, Pre-K-12
- Special Education: Generic Special Education, Pre-K-12
- Special Education: Visual Impairment, Pre-K-12
- Support Staff: Library/Media Specialist, Pre-K-12
- World Languages: American Sign Language, Pre-K-12
- World Languages: Arabic, Pre-K-12
- World Languages: Chinese, Pre-K-12
- World Languages: German, Pre-K-12
- World Languages: Latin, Pre-K-12
- World Languages: Spanish, Pre-K-12
Minnesota Teacher Shortage Loan Forgiveness Program
The Minnesota Teacher Shortage Loan Forgiveness Program rewards teachers who help to alleviate statewide teacher shortages. Participants receive $1,000 each year for up to $5,000 over five years. To qualify, you must agree to work in a specified licensure shortage subject area or an economic development region experiencing a teacher shortage.
Additional Resources
- Education Minnesota: Advocates for preservice, current, and retired educators in Minnesota.
- PELSB Apply for My First License page: Provides information for new teachers looking to apply for a license in Minnesota.
- PELSB Online Licensing System: For initial teaching license applications.
- Tiers Without Fear! Tool: Tool created by PELSB and Minnesota Education Equity Partnership (MnEEP) to decrease the complexity of the tiered licensure system.
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