State Authorizations & Professional Licensure

At this time, the following 49 U.S. states are SARA members:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas*, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa*, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland*, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota*, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington*, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

* _{See the Notes for Out-of-State Students for special information regarding Arkansas, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, and Washington.}

The remaining non-SARA state of California does not regulate online distance education programs; therefore, UW-Stout is authorized to offer distance education programs to residents in all 50 U.S. states.

In addition, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are members of SARA.

As of 8/3/2015, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands does not have a licensure board. They will contact UW-Stout when one is created.

UW-Stout is in general compliance with the Republic of Palau, including programs with internships, field experience, co-ops, etc.

UW-Stout has requested authorization and is waiting for a response from the following: American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

States vary regarding the professions they require to be licensed and how licensure functions. Some states require an individual to graduate from an approved program. Others require an individual to meet certification requirements of a national organization. A specific amount of training can also be required, as can successful completion of an examination based on a state-requisite exam score. In some cases, licensed professionals must complete continuing education on an annual basis.

In addition, licensure requirements are always subject to change. We strongly recommend that you inquire with the state board to confirm you understand and will meet the requirements for licensure before--and after--enrolling in your program of choice. Completion of a UW-Stout program does not guarantee employment or licensure in a given profession.

Also note that some state laws require a criminal background check, which may disqualify an individual from obtaining licensure. Field experience sites also generally require background checks before accepting students for a practicum or internship position. As such, it is your responsibility to determine if your own circumstances pose any barriers.

The contents of this page align with new federal requirements described in 34 CFR § 668.43 and outlined in UW System Administrative Policy 121 (SYS 121).

The following UW-Stout programs are designed to meet educational requirements for initial professional licensure or certification in the State of Wisconsin:

• B.S. Applied Math & Computer Science (Math Education Concentration)
• B.S. Art Education
• B.S. Dietetics
• B.S. Early Childhood Education (On-Campus or Online)
• B.S. Family & Consumer Sciences Education (On-Campus or Online)
• B.F.A. Interior Design
• B.S. Marketing & Business Education (On-Campus or Online/Hybrid)
• B.S. Special Education (On-Campus or Online)
• B.S. Technology Education (On-Campus or Online)
• M.S. Career & Technical Education (Coordinator Certificate)
• M.S. Clinical & Mental Health Counseling
• M.S. Nutrition & Dietetics
• M.S. Marriage & Family Therapy
• M.S. Rehabilitation Counseling
• Ed.S. School Psychology
• M.S.Ed. School Psychology
• M.S. School Counseling
• Mathematics Education
• Reading Teacher
• Reading Specialist
• Career and Technical Education Coordinator/Director of Instruction
• Social Work Certificate (On-Campus or Online)

Visit Program Page

POSITIVE STATE LICENSURE DETERMINATIONS

As of October 2022, UW-Stout has determined that our curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in the states listed in the table below.

* The program meets the educational requirements for the state of Michigan; however, after graduation, supervision for aspiring LPCs must include at least 2 years of full-time or equivalent part-time supervision totaling a minimum of 3,000 hours. At least 1,000 must be in the immediate physical presence of the supervisor.

Visit B.S. Dietetics Page    Visit M.S. Nutrition & Dietetics Page

See the Education Licensure section below.

Visit Program Page

The UW-Stout curriculum meets the educational requirements for voluntary licensure in Wisconsin and is believed to meet educational requirements in all other U.S. states and territories that offer licensure/certification/registration--although there may be additional requirements related to work experience, continuing education, and external examination. 

Employment as an interior designer does not require licensure--except in some locations (Florida, Louisiana, Nevada, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico where our program meets educational requirements for licensure) and circumstances (such as working in a code-based commercial environment in certain states). 

Before beginning any academic program that leads to licensure or certification, UW-Stout strongly recommends that you contact the appropriate state licensing board where you wish to seek licensure to determine whether the program you are considering will meet that state’s licensing requirements. Identifying changes to requirements are the responsibility of the student.

Visit Program Page

Before beginning any academic program that leads to licensure or certification, UW-Stout strongly recommends that you contact the appropriate state licensing board where you wish to seek licensure to determine whether the program you are considering will meet that state’s licensing requirements. Identifying changes to requirements are the responsibility of the student.

Visit Program Page

The UW-Stout program makes students eligible for the national Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) exam and meets educational requirements for licensure in Wisconsin. It may also meet educational requirements for licensure in other states and territories. 

Note:  U.S. states and territories do not require licensure to work as a rehabilitation counselor; however, some positions and agencies require a CRC or a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential. 

The programs may meet educational requirements leading to licensure in Minnesota and other states; however, the requirements are subject to change.

Before beginning any academic program that leads to licensure or certification, UW-Stout strongly recommends that you contact the appropriate state licensing board where you wish to seek licensure to determine whether the program you are considering will meet that state’s licensing requirements. Identifying changes to requirements are the responsibility of the student.

Visit On-Campus Program Page        Visit Online Program Page

*
Programs may meet educational requirements leading to licensure in Minnesota and other states; however, the requirements are subject to change.

Before beginning any academic program that leads to licensure or certification, UW-Stout strongly recommends that you contact the appropriate state licensing board where you wish to seek licensure to determine whether the program you are considering will meet that state’s licensing requirements. Identifying changes to requirements are the responsibility of the student.

Any program that is not specifically mentioned elsewhere on this page and that leads to state licensure or certification can be expected to lead to licensure or certification in Wisconsin. The following applies to such programs. Please contact parq@uwstout.edu for more information.

Educators apply for Wisconsin Initial Licenses and Renewal Licenses in teaching, pupil services, administrator, and other license categories using the Educator Licensing Online (ELO) system. ELO allows educators to provide the information, supporting materials, and payment needed for DPI to process their license applications. The system streamlines the application process and allows the applicant to manage their own licensing information, including printing a copy of their license certificate and renewing their licenses when applicable.

Educator Licensing Online (ELO)  https://dpi.wi.gov/tepdl/elo

• If you completed your Wisconsin preparation program before 9/1/2004, please follow the directions at https://dpi.wi.gov/tepdl/elo/in-state/1031-tips.
• If you completed your program between 9/1/2004 and 12/31/2013. Please email klandermanh@uwstout.edu with current legal name, previous name, date of birth and graduation month to request your information be submitted to DPI.

Please Review All Directions Carefully Before Beginning Your License Application.

Before you begin your license application, the Certification Officer is required to submit your license information to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI). If you are a current student this will be completed once you finish all requirements in your program. Please follow the following steps when applying for any type of license in ELO:

1. Create a WAMS account (Wisconsin Access Management System) - https://on.wisconsin.gov/WAMS/FAQ
2. If you have ever applied for and/or been issued a license by DPI, successfully "onboard" into the ELO system by connecting your WAMS account to an existing account
   • (YouTube) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dL4zfEngMg&feature=youtu.be
   • (DPI PDF) https://dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/tepdl/pdf/Onboarding-Process.pdf
3. Determine whether you need to get fingerprinted. - https://dpi.wi.gov/tepdl/licensing/fingerprint#Tree
4. Preview the Conduct and Competency questions you will be answering in ELO - https://dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/tepdl/pdf/Preview_CC_09-18-2017.pdf
   IF there is some type of misconduct that needs to be reported, prepare and attach a written explanation of what happened. You must also provide complete electronic (scanned) copies of documents associated with the matter that can corroborate/illuminate your explanation of the incident. These may include the criminal complaint, judgment of conviction, police reports, disciplinary letters/findings, correspondence, etc., as applicable. (Note: Court history information printed from the CCAP web site is NOT sufficient.)
5. Have your credit card ready
6. Log in to ELO System to apply

License Types/Levels

Initial License Requests

First-time teachers, adding a new field of teaching, administrator, school psychologists and school counselors.

• First-time request for a teacher license or for adding a new subject/level to existing teaching license (T001-1020)
  https://dpi.wi.gov/tepdl/elo/in-state/wi-teacher-tips
• First-time request for an administrator license or for adding a new administrator position to existing administrator license (A001-1020)
  https://dpi.wi.gov/tepdl/elo/in-state/wi-admin-tips
• First-time request for a pupil services license or for adding a new pupil services position to existing pupil services license (P001-1020)
  https://dpi.wi.gov/tepdl/elo/in-state/wi-pupil-services-tips
• ELO Frequently Asked Questions: https://dpi.wi.gov/tepdl/elo/in-state/wi-pupil-services-tips

Other Licensing Related Links

• ELO Public Search for Wisconsin Licensed Educators - https://elo.wieducatorlicensing.org/datamart/publicSearchMenu.do
• Setting up a WAMS account (YouTube) https://youtu.be/KBti-W3itvM
• Electronic Fingerprint Submission for Wisconsin Licensing through Fieldprint - https://dpi.wi.gov/tepdl/licensing/fingerprint/electronic-submission
• If you completed your first license prior to Sept. 1, 2004, but are just now applying for that Wisconsin license for the first time, you will need a paper PI 1612 form completed and signed by UW-Stout that you will then upload into the Department of Public Instruction's Educator Licensing Online (ELO) when applying. This PI 1612 form is available for download from DPI's ELO web page (https://dpi.wi.gov/tepdl/elo/supplementary-forms).
• New requirement for applicants who complete their online license application after January 30, 2014: If you are seeking a license in a field that now requires the Foundation of Reading Test for Wisconsin, you will need to include your score report along with the PI 1612 form mentioned above.

Read all directions carefully before beginning the online application.

• Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board Applications.
• Submit the “Minnesota Verification of Completion” Form to the UW-Stout Certification Office either PDF or via US Postal Service. Please provide the address the Verification of Completion Form should be sent back to.
• Certification Officer will obtain official transcripts for your Minnesota license application.
• Request a Minnesota fingerprint card either from the UW-Stout Certification Officer or from Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board.
• Minnesota requires all license application materials to be sent together and the UW-Stout Certification Officer can do that. Please submit all required documentation together to the Certification Officer with the Minnesota Verification of Completion form and fingerprint card if the Certification Officer mails material. 

Instructions on applying to add an additional license to an existing Minnesota license

Once you have completed your program:

• Complete the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board Applications.
• Submit the completed Application form to the UW-Stout Certification Officer either PDF or via US Postal Service to the address listed below.
• UW-Stout Certification Officer will obtain official transcripts for your add a field to an existing Minnesota license application.
• Minnesota requires all license application materials to be sent together and the Certification Officer can do that. Please submit all required documentation together to the Certification Officer with the Minnesota Verification of Completion form.

Helpful Minnesota Licensing Links

• Applicants Trained Out of State
• Minnesota Teacher Licensing Exams (MTLE)

As of June 2024, the UW-Stout education programs meet initial licensure requirements in all states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia; however, in some locations, graduates may be required to pass specific exams prior to employment and/or be required to complete additional coursework after being hired to remain licensed/employed.

As of June 2024, the UW-Stout education programs do not meet licensure requirements in the US Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, or the Northern Mariana Islands. 

States and/or regions are continually revising their teacher licensure rules and requirements. Please check with the specific state’s licensing agency (see links below) for information about their licensing requirements and discuss requirements with the UW-Stout Program Director.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction also provides information about License Portability, including a link to a comparison of state policy on teacher license requirements.