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How to become a certified teacher in Minnesota. Bachelor's degree required. Primary exam: MTLE Content, Pedagogy, and Basic Skills Exams. Government fees: $405–$680. Substitute requirements: Bachelor's degree for short-call substituting; valid teaching license preferred. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Teacher / Substitute Teacher · Minnesota
Everything you need to become a certified teacher or substitute teacher in Minnesota. Education, exams, fees, and application steps — verified against Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB).
Last verified: 2026-03-21
Most information on this page has been verified.
92% of data points are verified against official sources. 2 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Degree Required
Bachelor's degree
Primary Exam
MTLE Content, Pedagogy, and Basic Skills Exams
Total Gov Fees
$405–$680
Initial Cert
5 years
| Minimum Education | Bachelor's degree |
| Degree Required | Bachelor's degree |
| Teacher Prep Program | Required |
| Student Teaching | Required |
| Background Check | Required |
| Fingerprinting | Required |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Citizenship | U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the U.S. |
Minnesota does not require standardized exams for teacher certification.
Standard teaching license for teachers who have completed an approved teacher preparation program, passed required exams, and met all PELSB requirements. Valid for 5 years.
Professional teaching license for teachers with a Tier 3 license, 3 years of teaching experience, and a master's degree or National Board Certification. Valid for 7 years.
Permission to teach for individuals who do not yet meet full licensure requirements. Valid for 1 year. Issued at district request.
License for individuals actively completing an approved teacher preparation program or alternative pathway. Valid for 2 years.
Minimum Education
Bachelor's degree for short-call substituting; valid teaching license preferred
Certificate Required
Short-Call Substitute License or valid teaching license
Background Check
Required
Permit Fee
$57
Validity
5 years
Minnesota issues Short-Call Substitute Licenses valid for 15 consecutive school days per assignment. Requires a bachelor's degree and a background check. Teachers with a valid Tier 3 or Tier 4 license may substitute without an additional permit. Long-term substitutes (more than 15 days) need a full teaching license.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application FeeNon-refundable licensure fee | $57 |
| Fingerprint FeeBCA and FBI fingerprint background check | $48 |
| Exam Fees (Total)No exams required for graduates of PELSB-approved programs since August 2023 | $0 |
| Initial CertificateIncluded in the application fee | $57 |
| Renewal FeePer renewal cycle | $57 |
| Substitute PermitShort-Call Substitute License fee | $57 |
| Total Government FeesIncludes application, fingerprinting, and exam fees. Does not include teacher preparation program tuition. | $405–$680 |
Graduate from a PELSB-approved teacher preparation program or equivalent out-of-state program.
Program must include student teaching/clinical experience
Pass basic skills tests, content area tests, and edTPA or equivalent pedagogy assessment.
Fee: $300–$575
Register through appropriate testing agencies
Submit fingerprints for BCA and FBI criminal background checks.
Fee: $48
Required for all license applicants
Submit application through the PELSB online licensing system.
Fee: $57
Upload transcripts, test scores, and program verification
Upon approval, receive your Tier 3 teaching license valid for 5 years.
Minnesota's tiered licensure system provides built-in alternative pathways. Tier 1 and Tier 2 licenses allow individuals to teach while completing full preparation requirements. Districts can request Tier 1 licenses for individuals with relevant content expertise. Candidates must demonstrate progress toward full licensure.
Available Programs:
CE Required
Yes
Hours per Cycle
125
Renewal Cycle
5 years
Minnesota requires 125 clock hours of continuing education per 5-year renewal cycle for Tier 3 licenses. Tier 4 license holders need 200 clock hours per 7-year cycle. Activities may include coursework, workshops, mentoring, professional learning communities, and research.
Reciprocity Type
Case-by-case review with NASDTEC participation
Interstate Agreement
NASDTEC Interstate Agreement
Minnesota participates in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement. Out-of-state teachers with a valid license may apply for a Tier 3 license. They must hold a comparable license, complete a background check, and may need to pass Minnesota-specific exams or meet additional requirements.
Additional requirements: Background check required; may need to pass additional exams or meet Minnesota-specific content requirements
Unique to Minnesota: Minnesota eliminated all standardized testing requirements (MTLE) for teacher licensure in August 2023 for graduates of approved preparation programs. This makes it one of the few states where a prospective teacher can earn a license without passing any state exams. The state uses a unique four-tier licensing system, with Tier 1 for community experts (no degree required) and Tier 4 for advanced educators.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Minnesota.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#19 of 51
Cost
#26 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education (SOC 25-2021)
Entry Level
$49,970
25th percentile
Median
$63,120
+1% vs. national avg ($62,340)Experienced
$79,820
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
24,320 employed in this state
Note: BLS category covers elementary school teachers only. Secondary, special education, and other teaching specializations have separate SOC codes with different wage data.
Source: BLS OEWS – Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
0%
Below AverageNew Jobs
-500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
103,200
per year (avg.)
1.4M currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Source: Minnesota PELSB - Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board
Estimated total: 216–234 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Minnesota PELSB - Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Minnesota PELSB - Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board
Study guides for Praxis Core and subject-specific teacher exams.
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Minnesota requires completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program to earn your teaching certificate. Explore approved programs and alternative certification routes.
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