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Teacher Licensure in School-Based Early Childhood Programs
A 2024 Minnesota statute impacts teacher licensure requirements in school-based early education programs. This page provides information for school districts, charter schools and teachers on early childhood program educator qualifications and offers clarification on the new licensure requirement and exemption identified in statute.
License requirements
| Program | Teacher qualifications | License requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) | A school board must employ appropriately licensed teachers for its ECFE program; this includes adult licenses to work with adults and children’s licenses to work with children. |
|
| Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) | A school board must employ appropriately licensed teachers for its ECSE program. | 190500 Early Childhood Special Education (birth to age 6) |
| All school-based preschool programs | A school district must employ a qualified teacher to provide instruction in a preschool, school readiness plus, prekindergarten program or other school district or charter school-based early childhood education program. | License will be required: Effective July 2028
Exemption: Any teacher who has taught in a preschool, School Readiness, School Readiness Plus, or prekindergarten program, or other early learning program for at least five years prior to September 1, 2028, may continue to teach without obtaining a license. |
License requirements from the FY25 Licensure Guidance Manual.
Frequently asked questions
Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.261, subdivision 1, states that effective July 1, 2028, a school district or charter school must employ a qualified, appropriately licensed teacher to provide instruction in a preschool, School Readiness, School Readiness Plus, or prekindergarten program or other school district or charter school-based early education program.
Yes, Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.261, subdivision 2, states that any teacher who has taught in a preschool, School Readiness, School Readiness Plus, or prekindergarten program, or other school-based early learning program for at least five years prior to September 1, 2028, may continue to teach without obtaining a license. Notwithstanding this exemption from the licensure requirement, these individuals are teachers under Minnesota Statutes, section 179A.03, subdivision 18. School districts or charter schools with questions about what qualifies as an “other learning program” should consult with their legal counsel.
Districts should have processes in place to verify that teachers are appropriately licensed or qualify for the exemption in statute. Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.261, subdivision 2, does not state what constitutes a full year of teaching experience, nor require the time to be consecutive. Individual districts and charter schools should consult with their legal counsel to ensure compliance with the law.
Individuals will be employed under the exemption based upon the Staff Automated Report (STAR) data collected by PELSB. Effective October 2028, PELSB will create an assignment code to use for non-licensed staff eligible for employment under the exemption.
No. Teachers qualifying under the exemption may be allowed to continue teaching without a license. However, teachers under this exemption will not be granted a teaching license by PELSB.
The 2028 teacher licensure requirement outlined in Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.261, subdivision 1, applies specifically to employees of school districts and charter schools. Beginning July 1, 2028, a school district or charter school must employ a qualified, appropriately licensed teacher to provide instruction in preschool, School Readiness, Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK), or other school district or charter school-based early education programs.
Mixed delivery settings—such as Head Start classrooms receiving School Readiness or other public prekindergarten dollars—may be subject to licensure requirements depending on the specific funding structure and program design. Please work with your local legal counsel to determine what is necessary per the specific contracts.
A Minnesota teaching license can be obtained by completing an approved teacher preparation program or being recommended for licensure through the portfolio pathway. PELSB offers information on the Tiered Licensure structure in Minnesota. A Tier 3 or Tier 4 licensure is gained by completing an approved teacher preparation program or being recommended for licensure through the portfolio pathway. Tier 1 and Tier 2 licenses are temporary licenses, but they can be used to provide employment to a qualified candidate as they work toward full licensure in their field. Please contact PELSB directly about obtaining licensure.
Teacher candidates can investigate scholarship and grant opportunities that are available through the state and institutes of higher education.
Early childhood educator workforce support resources for staff and program administrators:
Teachers should contact their employer or exclusive representative with questions about the impact this law has on contracts and union membership.
Roles and responsibilities
The Professional Educator Licensing Board (PELSB), the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), teacher bargaining units (including Education Minnesota), and public school districts and charters play different roles in this change.
Professional Educator Licensing Board (PELSB)
- Maintain information in the Licensure Guidance Manual, which outlines licensure requirements for teachers, service providers and administrators serving in public school in Minnesota
- Publish the Licensure Assignment and Assignment Licensure tables for districts, administrators, teachers and the public to verify which licenses are allowable for assignments
- Verification of district and charter school licensure compliance through the Staff Automated Reporting System (STAR)
- Offer electronic updates on multiple topics including, but not limited to, general licensure and renewal updates and district notices
- Adopt rules to license public school teachers
- Adopt rules for and approve teacher preparation programs
- Issue or deny teaching license applications
- Issue or deny special permissions, such as out-of-field permissions (OFPs)
- Suspend, revoke or deny a teaching license based on qualifying grounds
Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF)
- Review teacher qualifications for early learning programs, including individuals employed in early learning programs under the exemption using information gathered from STAR reports
- Provide technical assistance and guidance on items related to the new teacher licensure requirement in coordination with PELSB
Local teacher bargaining units (including Education MN)
Serve as a resource for teachers who have questions about contracts and their bargaining rights
Public school districts and charter schools
- Accurately report and update employment and assignment information in Staff Automated Reporting (STAR) system
- Verify an educator holds a valid Minnesota educator license or has been approved for a requested permission or exemption