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Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board application documents

Which documents does Minnesota require from an out-of-state teacher?

The state, institution, employer or testing provider may need to send some records directly.

Open License Requirements and Forms for Out-of-State Applicants
Official state guidance State makes the decision Checked 2026-08-01

Core application evidence

Requirement

Core evidence includes the bachelor's degree, preparation and student-teaching records, the good-standing professional license, aligned teaching experience and any required test results or Tier 2 job offer.

Which application this evidence supports

Minnesota places out-of-state teachers into Tier 2, Tier 3 or Tier 4 based on degree, preparation and student teaching, professional licensure, aligned experience, testing and—at Tier 2—a Minnesota job offer.

What can change this answer

Three years of aligned teaching plus equivalent preparation can support Tier 4; two years with a good-standing professional out-of-state license plus Minnesota content and pedagogy tests can support Tier 3; some preparation gaps or unattempted tests can lead to employer-dependent Tier 2.

Conditions to resolve before sending records

  • Tier 4 generally requires a bachelor's degree, equivalent preparation and student teaching, and three years of aligned teaching
  • The professional-license branch of Tier 3 requires good standing, two years of aligned teaching in the licensing state and applicable Minnesota content and pedagogy tests
  • Tier 2 requires a Minnesota public-school job offer
  • Field alignment and exam requirements are determined in the PELSB review

Send identity documents and background records only where the state agency instructs. TeachPassport does not receive them.

Official sources

Check again by 2026-11-01