Wisconsin Substitute Teaching License
Wisconsin offers two substitute teaching credentials: a Three-Year Short-Term Substitute Teacher Permit, which requires an associate degree plus DPI-approved substitute training, and a Five-Year Substitute License, which requires completing an approved educator preparation program. Both permit up to 45 days in a single assignment and are issued through the Department of Public Instruction (DPI).
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The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) issues two different substitute teaching credentials to qualified individuals: a Three-Year Short-Term Substitute Teacher Permit and a Five-Year Substitute License. Neither requires the bachelor’s-plus-student-teaching path that a full teaching license does, though the five-year credential does require completing an approved educator preparation program.
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Three-Year Short-Term Substitute Teacher Permit
A Three-Year Short-Term Substitute Teacher Permit is requested by an employing school district on the applicant’s behalf. Two paths qualify a candidate for this permit. The first requires an associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university, plus successful completion of a DPI-approved substitute teacher training program. The second is available to candidates enrolled in a Wisconsin educator preparation program: they must be at least 20 years old, have reached junior status in their program, and have completed 15 hours of classroom observation.
This permit allows a candidate to substitute in any subject at any grade level, but only for short-term assignments. A single assignment under this permit cannot exceed 45 days.
Five-Year Substitute License
For substitute teachers interested in a longer-term credential, the Five-Year Substitute License allows more flexibility, though it carries higher requirements. Earning it requires completing an approved teacher education program and holding a bachelor’s degree, along with an endorsement from that preparation program.
Five-year license holders can take short-term substitute assignments of up to 45 days in any subject or grade level, including outside their licensed area. For long-term assignments outside their license area, they need a separate one-year License with Stipulations, which requires enrolling in and completing a state-approved educator preparation program in that subject or grade level. The five-year credential is valid for five years with an option to renew — see Renewing a Wisconsin Teaching License for details on that process.
Substitute Teacher Training Programs
Candidates pursuing the degree-plus-training path for the Three-Year Permit can complete their DPI-approved training through several statewide providers, including the regional CESA network (Cooperative Educational Service Agencies), STEDI.org, Kelly Education, and EDUStaff. Training covers school policies, classroom management, age-appropriate instructional strategies, and handling medical emergencies, among other required topics.
Examinations
Neither the Three-Year Permit nor the Five-Year License requires candidates to pass Praxis or another certification exam. That testing requirement applies to a full Wisconsin teaching license, not to either substitute credential.
Experience
Candidates pursuing the Five-Year License through an educator preparation program complete student teaching as part of that program, working alongside a mentor teacher to build classroom management skills. Three-Year Permit holders aren’t required to complete student teaching, but their employing school district provides on-the-job training to help them adjust to the classroom.
Document and Application Requirements
Five-year license applicants apply through DPI’s Five-Year Substitute License application if they completed their preparation program in Wisconsin, or the out-of-state version if they completed it elsewhere. Both require an endorsement from the preparation program confirming the applicant is eligible.
Three-year permit applicants apply through DPI’s Three-Year Short-Term Substitute Permit application. Depending on which path they qualify under, applicants may submit one of two verification forms: form PI-1633, completed by the employing school district to verify the degree-plus-training path, or form PI-1975, completed by the applicant’s educator preparation program to verify the EPP-enrollment path.
Candidates for either credential complete their full application, including educational information, work history, and background information, through DPI’s Educator Licensing Online (ELO) system.
Criminal History Background Check
Both three-year and five-year license seekers complete a Conduct and Competency Questionnaire as part of their online application, answering 14 questions to confirm they’re fit to work with students. The questionnaire is completed entirely within Educator Licensing Online (ELO), along with the license processing fee. Most DPI license and permit applications, including these two, now carry a standard processing fee of $135, increased from $125 effective July 1.
Contact Information
More information about substitute teaching licensure is available at the DPI’s substitute licensing page. Questions can also be directed to the DPI licensing help desk through the Bureau of Educator Licensing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a bachelor’s degree to substitute teach in Wisconsin?
Not for the Three-Year Short-Term Substitute Teacher Permit. That credential only requires an associate degree plus DPI-approved substitute training. A bachelor’s degree is required for the Five-Year Substitute License, which comes through an approved educator preparation program.
How many days can I work a single substitute assignment?
Both the Three-Year Permit and the Five-Year License cap short-term assignments at 45 days. Longer assignments outside a license holder’s prepared subject or grade level require a separate one-year License with Stipulations.
Where can I complete DPI-approved substitute teacher training?
Several statewide providers offer DPI-approved training, including the regional CESA network, STEDI.org, Kelly Education, and EDUStaff. Check with your employing school district, since some districts also provide their own approved training.
How much does it cost to apply for a Wisconsin substitute credential?
Most DPI license and permit applications, including both substitute credentials, carry a standard processing fee of $135, which increased from $125 effective July 1.
Do substitute teachers in Wisconsin need to pass the Praxis?
No. Praxis and other certification exams apply to Wisconsin’s full teaching license, not to either substitute credential.
- Two credential paths exist — the Three-Year Short-Term Substitute Teacher Permit requires an associate degree plus DPI-approved training, while the Five-Year Substitute License requires a completed educator preparation program.
- Both credentials cap short-term assignments at 45 days — longer assignments outside a license holder’s prepared area require a separate one-year License with Stipulations.
- Training comes from approved statewide providers — including the CESA network, STEDI.org, Kelly Education, and EDUStaff.
- Applications run through DPI’s Educator Licensing Online (ELO) system — with a standard $135 processing fee and a required Conduct and Competency Questionnaire.
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