Licensing Process

The licensing process is the final step in becoming a licensed teacher. The Professional Educator Standards and Licensing Board has a tiered system of licensure. Candidates who complete their licensure program at Augsburg and successfully pass the required MTLE tests are eligible for a MN Teaching License.

MTLE Testing

The Minnesota Teacher License Examinations (MTLEs) are no longer required for candidates who have successfully completed a licensure program to be eligible for a Tier 3 teaching license. To be eligible for a Tier 3 license, program completers must successfully complete the following:

Licensure coursework
Field Experience
Student Teaching
edTPA

Candidates who are completing Tier 3 requirements while teaching on a Tier 1 or Tier 2 teaching license may have MTLE requirements.

Individuals planning to teach outside of Minnesota after completing licensure requirements must check the requirements of the state in which they seek licensure. Many other states will require the MTLE in Minnesota for their licensure. Please contact a member of the licensing team with questions about testing requirements and reciprocity with other states.

Click here or scroll down for step-by-step details on applying for a Minnesota Teaching License. For questions about licensing, connect with licensing team members during virtual office hours, or contact the Education Department Unit Leader, Erin Moore – mooree2@augsburg.edu .

Initial Licensure

Initial licensure candidates who have fulfilled requirements will apply for a Tier 3 license. Candidates who hold a current or expired license will follow the process for an additional license. Initial licensure candidates will complete the following steps to apply for licensure:

- Obtain fingerprints
  - - Request a fingerprint card from PELSB (or pick one up at their offices) – Email at pelsb@state.mn.us or call 651-539-4200 (option 1) – include your full name and mailing address in your request. If using a fingerprint card from a local police station, the card must have a sky blue border.
    - Other fingerprinting options are available through local police stations, or Mobile Electronic Fingerprinting in Bloomington
- Complete the online application (Graduate students will mark they are completing a Masters Program and use the last day of student teaching on the application.)
  - - The initial license application fee of $90.25 is due at the time of submitting the application. Candidates are responsible for fees associated with licensure.
- Print the application
- Sign the application
- Deliver or mail the application packet (fingerprint card and signed application) to the Augsburg University Education Department
  - - Place in the drop box outside of Sverdrup Suite 3
    - Mail to Augsburg University – Licensing Committee Education Department – 2211 Riverside Ave. – Minneapolis, MN 55454

The Augsburg Education Department Licensing team must verify completion of all licensing requirements before signing the application and sending it to PELSB. Candidates will receive an email confirming receipt of the application and confirming the date the application is sent to PELSB.

Candidates have 60 days from the day the submit the application to complete the entire process. Teaching licenses are usually awarded 6 – 7 weeks after PELSB receives the completed documentation. Candidates can check the status of their licensure application in the License Lookup feature on the PELSB webpage.

Additional Licensure

Candidates who hold a short-call substitute, Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, or Tier 4 license will apply for a Tier 3 or Tier 4 license depending on their number of years of teaching experience and previously held license(s). Additional licensure candidates will complete the following steps to apply for licensure:

- - - Locate and print the appropriate licensure application from the PELSB site. Please contact a member of the Licensing Team if uncertain which license to apply for.
    - Complete the sections outlined in the directions
    - Sign the licensure application
      - The additional license application fee of $57 is due at the time of submitting the application. Candidates are responsible for fees associated with licensure.
    - Deliver or mail the application packet (signed application and check or money order made to PELSB for $57) to the Augsburg University Education Department
      - Place in the drop box outside of Sverdrup Suite 3
        
        Mail to Augsburg University – Licensing Committee Education Department – 2211 Riverside Ave. – Minneapolis, MN 55454