Licensing Information
FAQs
- What do I have to do to renew my license?
- What classes can I take to renew my license?
- What if I took part of my renewal work at IPFW and part at another university?
- When will I learn about how to apply for my initial license?
- I have a license from another state. What do I do to obtain an
- Indiana teaching license? Can IPFW help me with this?
- I just obtained a Limited Criminal History Report for student teaching. Do I need a new one to get my license?
- How do I get an Limited Criminal History Report?
- I need a letter from IPFW stating that I’ve applied for my license. Is this possible?
- I have a bachelor’s degree in _____. How do I get certified to be a teacher?
- How long does it take to get my license?
- My license expires this summer. Can I take six hours in Summer Session II and still have enough time to renew my license before school starts?
- I received my license and it’s not right. What do I do?
- How do I sign up for the Praxis I/Praxis II test(s)?
- Are there study guides available?
- When should I take the Praxis I/Praxis II test(s)?
- How do I get a Limited License/Emergency Permit?
- How do I get a Substitute Teaching license?
- I have a valid Indiana teaching license. How do I get licensed in another state?
What do I have to do to renew my license?
Indiana requires that you complete six college credit hours within five years of the time you apply to renew your license. The licensing advisor at the institution where the work is taken and the renewal is applied for must approve these credits. Once the credits have been earned, you may apply for your renewal by contacting the licensing office at the institution where you completed your coursework for the renewal. Renewal applications cannot be made sooner than 60 days before the expiration date on the license. For IPFW students, information about renewing your license is available online.
Visit the Indiana Professional Standards Board website for more frequently asked questions about license renewal.
What classes can I take to renew my license?
Renewal coursework must be taken in one’s licensing major, minor, endorsement, or professional education. They can be graduate or undergraduate courses. You may repeat a course for renewal if it has been at least five years since you last took the class.
What if I took part of my renewal work at IPFW and part at another university?
Either university can handle your license application. If you want IPFW to process it, you must include, with your license application, an official transcript showing the credit hours not taken at IPFW and an IPFW transcript.
When will I learn about how to apply for my initial license?
All information about applying for teaching licenses is provided during the student teaching seminars.
I have a license from another state. What do I do to obtain an Indiana teaching license? Can IPFW help me with this?
If you hold a teaching license from another state and wish to obtain an Indiana teaching license, you will need to contact the Division of Professional Standards (DPS) by calling (866) 542-3672 for an application and evaluation. If IPSB determines that you need additional testing or coursework, IPFW may be able to assist you in meeting these deficiencies.
I just obtained a Limited Criminal History Report for student teaching. Do I need a new one to get my license?
Limited Criminal History Reports are valid for one year. If your criminal report expires before you apply for your teaching license, you will have to do another request. Note: The State will only accept original criminal reports (no photo copies). More information about how to obtain a Limited Criminal History Report is available online.
How do I get a Limited Criminal History Report?
Directions for obtaining a Criminal History Report are available online.
I need a letter from IPFW stating that I’ve applied for my license. Is this possible?
When you fill out your application for your teaching license, you will be asked to give your e-mail address (please print clearly). We will generate an e-letter and send it to you automatically once your application has been processed at IPFW and sent to the State. If you do not want to give us your e-mail address, or do not have one, you can request a confirmation letter by attaching a note to your teaching license application. We will mail you a letter after processing your application.
I have a bachelor’s degree. How do I get certified to be a teacher?
Your first step should be to make an appointment with an advisor in the Licensing and Advising Center at IPFW (Neff Hall, Room 243). You can call 260-481-6449. Be sure to bring your transcripts from all previously attended colleges when you come to your appointment session. The advisor will evaluate your transcripts to determine what your best options are, and discuss what remaining courses/requirements are left for you to become a teacher.
How long does it take to get my license?
Approximately 4-6 weeks depending on the time of year (summers are the busiest season for processing license requests, and, therefore may take longer).
My license expires this summer. Can I take six hours in Summer Session II and still have enough time to renew my license before school starts?
No. You may not receive your renewed license until mid-September. If your school corporation will accept evidence that renewal is in progress, you may request a verification letter from the Licensing Advisor.
I received my license and it’s not right. What do I do?
Make a copy of your license for your records and send your original license to:
Licensing Advisor
IPFW School of Education
2101 E. Coliseum Blvd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46805
Be sure to include a note attached explaining the error on the license. We will then resubmit the license to the State for a correction. You will then be issued a new license once the correction has been made.
How do I sign up for the Praxis I/Praxis II test(s)? Are there study guides available? When should I take the Praxis I/Praxis II test(s)?
Information about the Praxis I (PPST) and Praxis II tests is available here or at http://www.ets.org/praxis.
View more Frequently Asked Questions about Teacher Testing at the Indiana Professional Standards Board Web site.
How do I get a Limited License/Emergency Permit?
More information about the Limited License/Emergency Permit is available at the Indiana Professional Standards Board website [PDF]. IPFW does not issue Limited Licenses or Emergency Permits. This process can only be initiated by a school corporation.
How do I get a Substitute Teaching license?
More information about Substitute Teaching is available at the Indiana Professional Standards Board website. IPFW does not issue Substitute Teaching licenses. This process can only be initiated by a school corporation.
Answers to additional frequently asked questions about Substitute Teaching are available at the Indiana Professional Standards Board Web site.
I have a valid Indiana teaching license. How do I get licensed in another state?
Indiana has reciprocity with 36 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. In these regions, since you have a valid Indiana teaching license, you can obtain at least a one-year reciprocal license. In that time, you may need to meet specific requirements for that state before you are awarded a regular license. In the other 14 states (Alaska, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin), an evaluation will be completed by that state and you may need to satisfy any specific requirements for that state before obtaining any license. In all situations, you should contact the Department of Education in the state(s) you are interested in for more specific information. Links to the Department of Education in all 50 states are available online.
260-481-IPFW
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