Chapter 118

118.19(14)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), the department may not issue an initial teaching license that authorizes the holder to teach in grades kindergarten to 5 or in special education, an initial license as a reading teacher, or an initial license as a reading specialist, unless the applicant has passed an examination identical to the Foundations of Reading test administered in 2012 as part of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure or identical to the most recent edition of that test. The department shall set the passing cut score on the examination at a level no lower than the level recommended by the developer of the test, based on this state’s standards.

118.19(14)(b) (b) The department shall waive the requirement under par. (a) for an applicant seeking an initial teaching license that authorizes the holder to teach in special education if the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the applicant has successfully completed a course of study that satisfies all of the following:

118.19(14)(b)1. 1. The course of study provides rigorous instruction in the teaching of phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and fluency.

118.19(14)(b)2. 2. A student in the course of study receives feedback and coaching from an individual who is an expert of reading instruction.

118.19(14)(b)3. 3. A student in the course of study demonstrates competence in phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and fluency by providing a portfolio of work.

118.19(14)(c) (c) Any teacher who passes the examination under par. (a) shall notify the department, which shall add a notation to the teacher’s license indicating that he or she passed the examination.

118.19(16) (16) The department shall ensure that teaching experience gained while a person held an emergency permit issued by the department under s. PI 34.21 (2), Wis. Adm. Code, counts toward fulfillment of the teaching experience requirement for a license based on experience under s. PI 34.195 (2), Wis. Adm. Code, or for a license in a school administrator category under s. PI 34.32, Wis. Adm. Code.

118.19 Note NOTE: Sections PI 34.195, 34.21, and 34.32, Wis. Adm. Code, no longer exist. Chapter PI 34, Wis. Adm. Code, was repealed and recreated in its entirety effective 8-1-18.

118.19(18) (18) 

118.19(18)(a) (a) Beginning on September 23, 2017, and subject to ss. 115.31 and 115.315, an individual who is applying for an initial teaching license, an initial administrator license, or an initial pupil services professional license under this section shall be subject to the requirement of this paragraph. The department may issue a provisional license for a term of 3 years to an individual who applies for an initial license under this paragraph.

118.19(18)(bc) (bc) The department shall, subject to ss. 115.31 and 115.315, issue a provisional license to an individual who holds a valid and current initial teaching, administrator, or pupil services license on September 23, 2017.

118.19(18)(bd) (bd) Except as provided in par. (c), and subject to ss. 115.31 and 115.315, a professional or master teaching license, administrator license, or pupil services license that is valid and current on September 23, 2017, is a lifetime license and has no expiration date.

118.19(18)(bg) (bg)

118.19(18)(bg)1. 1. The department may issue a lifetime license under this subdivision to an individual who obtained a provisional license under par. (a) or (bc) if the individual has successfully completed 6 semesters of teaching, administrating, or pupil services experience, as defined by the department by rule.

118.19(18)(bg)2. 2. An individual who does not successfully complete 6 semesters of teaching, administrating, or pupil services experience, as defined by the department by rule, within the 3-year term of a provisional license issued under par. (a) or (bc) may apply to renew the provisional license. There is no limit to the number of times an individual may renew a provisional license under par. (a) or (bc).

118.19(18)(c) (c) If an individual who holds a lifetime license under par. (bd) or (bg) is not regularly employed in education, as defined by the department by rule, for 5 or more consecutive years, the department shall invalidate the lifetime license. An individual whose lifetime license has been invalidated under this paragraph may not revalidate the lifetime license until the individual applies for and obtains a provisional license under par. (a) and satisfies the requirements under par. (bg) for a lifetime license.

118.19 History History: 1971 c. 154; 1975 c. 39, 95; 1979 c. 346; 1981 c. 314 s. 146; 1985 a. 29, 207; 1989 a. 31; 1991 a. 42, 108, 164, 315; 1993 a. 16, 334, 339, 454, 491; 1995 a. 27 ss. 3951m, 9145 (1); 1995 a. 299; 1997 a. 27, 113, 191, 237; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 109; 2005 a. 121; 2007 a. 20, 222; 2011 a. 166; 2013 a. 20, 36; 2015 a. 55; 2017 a. 59, 206; 2019 a. 44, 84; 2021 a. 214, 236; 2023 a. 20, 262.

118.19 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. PI 34, Wis. adm. code.

118.191 118.191 Experience-based licensure for technical and vocational education subjects.

118.191(1) (1) In this section:

118.191(1)(a) (a) “Technical education subject” includes technology education and any technology related occupation.

118.191(1)(b) (b) “Vocational education subject” includes agriculture, child services, clothing services, food services, housing and equipment services, family and consumer education, family and consumer services, home economics-related occupations, health care-related occupations, trade specialist, business education, business and office, and marketing education.

118.191(2) (2) 

118.191(2)(a) (a) Notwithstanding s. 118.19 (7) to (9), the department shall grant an initial teaching license to teach a technical education subject to an individual who is eligible for licensure under s. 118.19 (4) and (10), who scores at least 100 points on the point system under sub. (5), of which at least 25 points are from sub. (5) (a) 1. and at least 25 points are from sub. (5) (a) 2., and who agrees to complete during the term of the license a curriculum determined by the school board of the school district in which the individual will teach.

118.191(2)(b) (b) Notwithstanding s. 118.19 (7) to (9), the department shall grant an initial teaching license to teach a vocational education subject to an individual who is eligible for licensure under s. 118.19 (4) and (10), who scores at least 100 points on the point system under sub. (5m), of which at least 25 points are from sub. (5m) (a) 1. and at least 25 points are from sub. (5m) (a) 2., and who agrees to complete during the term of the license a curriculum determined by the school board of the school district in which the individual will teach.

118.191(2m) (2m) An initial teaching license issued under sub. (2) authorizes an individual to teach only in the school district controlled by the school board that determined the curriculum the individual agreed to complete in order to qualify for the initial teaching license.

118.191(3) (3) An initial teaching license issued under sub. (2) is valid for 3 years. An initial teaching license issued under sub. (2) is void if the license holder ceases to be employed as a teacher in the school district in which the license holder is authorized to teach under sub. (2m).

118.191(4) (4) Upon the expiration of the 3-year term of an initial teaching license issued under sub. (2), the department shall issue to the license holder a professional teaching license to teach the technical education subject or vocational education subject if the individual successfully completed the curriculum that the individual agreed to under sub. (2), as determined by the school board of the school district that established the curriculum. The department shall indicate on a professional teaching license issued under this subsection that the license was obtained under the experience-based licensure program under this section.

118.191(5) (5) 

118.191(5)(a) (a) The department shall use the following point system to evaluate an applicant for an initial teaching license to teach a technical education subject under sub. (2) (a):

118.191(5)(a)1. 1. The following for experience in a technical field:

118.191(5)(a)1.a. a. For a bachelor’s degree in any science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field and any teaching license or permit, 100 points.

118.191(5)(a)1.b. b. For a bachelor’s degree in any science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field, 75 points.

118.191(5)(a)1.c. c. For a bachelor’s degree in a field other than those described in subd. 1. a. or 2. a., 65 points.

118.191(5)(a)1.d. d. For industry certification, 90 points.

118.191(5)(a)1.e. e. For industry experience in a trade or technical field, 5 points per 40 hours worked up to a maximum of 90 points.

118.191(5)(a)1.f. f. For an internship in a trade or technical field, 25 points.

118.191(5)(a)1.g. g. For being mentored in a trade or technical skill by a colleague or a Wisconsin Technology Education Association approved mentor, 25 points.

118.191(5)(a)1.h. h. For an apprenticeship in a trade or technical field, 5 points per 40 hours worked up to a maximum of 90 points.

118.191(5)(a)2. 2. The following for pedagogical experience:

118.191(5)(a)2.a. a. For a bachelor’s degree in technical or technology education, 100 points.

118.191(5)(a)2.b. b. For a bachelor’s degree in a field other than those described in subd. 1. a. or 2. a. and any teaching license or permit, 75 points.

118.191(5)(a)2.c. c. For credit earned at an accredited institution of higher education or technical college, 3 points per credit up to a maximum of 75 points for technical or technology education courses and science, technology, engineering, or mathematics courses and 3 points per credit up to a maximum of 75 points for education and pedagogical courses.

118.191(5)(a)2.d. d. For completing at least 100 hours of training in pedagogy, 5 points per 50 hours up to a maximum of 75 points.

118.191(5)(b) (b) The department shall verify the information in par. (a) using only the following:

118.191(5)(b)1. 1. For par. (a) 1. a. to c. and 2. a. to c., the applicant’s transcript for the applicable degree or credits.

118.191(5)(b)2. 2. For par. (a) 1. d., the applicant’s industry certificate.

118.191(5)(b)3. 3. For par. (a) 1. e. to h., the signature of a supervisor, employer, or other reliable observer.

118.191(5)(b)4. 4. For par. (a) 2. d., verification by a course instructor, a transcript, or a certificate.

118.191(5)(b)5. 5. If the applicant is unable to provide the verification required under subds. 1. to 4., any other proof of the applicant’s experience approved by the department.

118.191(5m) (5m) 

118.191(5m)(a) (a) The department shall use the following point system to evaluate an applicant for an initial teaching license to teach a vocational education subject under sub. (2) (b):

118.191(5m)(a)1. 1. The following for experience related to the vocational education subject that is the subject of the initial teaching license:

118.191(5m)(a)1.a. a. For a bachelor’s degree in any science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field or in a field related to the vocational education subject and any teaching license or permit, 100 points.

118.191(5m)(a)1.b. b. For a bachelor’s degree in any science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field or in a field related to the vocational education subject, 75 points.

118.191(5m)(a)1.c. c. For a bachelor’s degree in a field other than those described in subd. 1. a., 65 points.

118.191(5m)(a)1.d. d. For industry certification in the vocation, 90 points.

118.191(5m)(a)1.e. e. For experience in the vocation, 5 points per 40 hours worked up to a maximum of 90 points.

118.191(5m)(a)1.f. f. For an internship in the vocation, 25 points.

118.191(5m)(a)1.g. g. For being mentored in the vocation by a colleague or a mentor approved by a recognized vocational association, 25 points.

118.191(5m)(a)1.h. h. For an apprenticeship in the vocation, 5 points per 40 hours worked up to a maximum of 90 points.

118.191(5m)(a)2. 2. The following for pedagogical experience:

118.191(5m)(a)2.a. a. For a bachelor’s degree in any field and any teaching license or permit, 75 points.

118.191(5m)(a)2.b. b. For credit earned at an accredited institution of higher education or technical college, 3 points per credit up to a maximum of 75 points for courses in any science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field or in a field related to the vocational education subject and 3 points per credit up to a maximum of 75 points for education and pedagogical courses.

118.191(5m)(a)2.c. c. For completing at least 100 hours of training in pedagogy, 5 points per 50 hours up to a maximum of 75 points.

118.191(5m)(b) (b) The department shall verify the information in par. (a) using only the following:

118.191(5m)(b)1. 1. For par. (a) 1. a. to c. and 2. a. and b., the applicant’s transcript for the applicable degree or credits.

118.191(5m)(b)2. 2. For par. (a) 1. d., the applicant’s vocational certificate.

118.191(5m)(b)3. 3. For par. (a) 1. e. to h., the signature of a supervisor, employer, or other reliable observer.

118.191(5m)(b)4. 4. For par. (a) 2. c., verification by a course instructor, a transcript, or a certificate.

118.191(5m)(b)5. 5. If the applicant is unable to provide the verification required under subds. 1. to 4., any other proof of the applicant’s experience approved by the department.

118.191(6) (6) The department shall approve or deny an application for a license under sub. (2) no later than 45 business days after receipt of the application. If the department denies the application, it shall provide, in writing, the reason for the denial. If the department does not act within 45 business days of receiving an application for a license under sub. (2), the application shall be considered approved and the applicant considered a licensed teacher until the department approves or denies the application.

118.191(7) (7) Nothing in this section prohibits the department from granting a teaching license to teach a technical education subject or a vocational education subject under s. 118.19.

118.191 History History: 2015 a. 55, 259.

118.1915 118.1915 Licensure for Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps instructors.

118.1915(1) (1) Notwithstanding s. 118.19 (4m), (6) to (9), (12), and (14), the department shall grant a license to an individual to provide instruction to pupils enrolled in a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program offered in the high school grades if the individual is eligible for licensure under s. 118.19 (4) and (10) and the individual satisfies all of the following:

118.1915(1)(a) (a) Possesses a bachelor’s degree.

118.1915(1)(b) (b) Successfully completed a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Instructor Certification program.

118.1915(2) (2) A license under sub. (1) authorizes an individual to teach the courses for which the individual has successfully completed the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Instructor Certification process.

118.1915 History History: 2017 a. 59; s. 35.17 correction in (1) (intro.).

118.192 118.192 Professional teaching permits.

118.192(1) (1) The state superintendent shall establish an alternative teacher training program for music, art, foreign language, computer science, mathematics and science teachers. The program shall consist of approximately 100 hours of formal instruction.

118.192(2) (2) An individual who holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering, music, art, foreign language, computer science, mathematics or science from an accredited institution of higher education, has at least 5 years of experience as a professional in the subject area in which his or her degree was awarded and demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the state superintendent, competency in that subject area that is current and compatible with modern curricula may apply to the state superintendent for enrollment in the alternative teacher training program. The state superintendent shall charge a fee sufficient to cover the costs of the program.

118.192(3) (3) The state superintendent shall grant a professional teaching permit to any person who satisfactorily completes the program under sub. (2). The permit authorizes the person to teach the subject area specified by the state superintendent in grades kindergarten to 12. The initial permit shall be valid for 2 years. During the initial permit period, the person shall be supervised by a person who holds a regular teaching license. The permit is renewable for 5-year periods.

118.192(4) (4) A school board that employs a person who holds a professional teaching permit shall ensure that no regularly licensed teacher is removed from his or her position as a result of the employment of persons holding permits.

118.192 History History: 1991 a. 108; 1995 a. 27 ss. 3952, 9145 (1); 1997 a. 27, 237.

118.193 118.193 Licenses based on reciprocity.

118.193(1) (1) In this section, an “administrator license” means a license in a school administrator category under s. PI 34.32, Wis. Adm. Code.

118.193 Note NOTE: Section PI 34.32, Wis. Adm. Code, no longer exists. Chapter PI 34, Wis. Adm. Code, was repealed and recreated in its entirety effective 8-1-18.