Ensuring qualified educators are in Wisconsin classrooms is a top priority for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI). The DPI provides a public online tool to verify the license history and status of educators in the state. This article will guide you on how to use the License Lookup and understand the information it provides.
The License Lookup tool is a free, publicly accessible resource provided by the Wisconsin DPI. You have two primary methods for searching for an educator's license:
Once you've located an educator's record, you'll see their license status. It's crucial to understand the meaning of these terms:
Under Investigation: This indicates that the DPI has received information that warrants investigation. The educator's license remains valid unless it expires, but the investigation is ongoing. This investigation will determine if revocation of a license is appropriate per Wis. Stat. 115.31(6).
Licenses Revoked: All licenses held by the person have been revoked according to Wis. Admin. Code PI 34.098.
Denied: The person's application for an educator license was denied.
Hold: The individual previously held a license and was under investigation for alleged misconduct or incompetence. However, the license expired before the investigation concluded, placing the investigation on "hold." The investigation will resume if the person applies for license renewal.
Background Review: The individual does not currently possess a valid license but has applied for a new license or renewal. Information revealed during the background check raises concerns about potential misconduct or incompetence, necessitating further investigation.
Driver Ed License Only - Under Investigation: The person holds a valid Wisconsin driver education license, and allegations have been made regarding behavior that could lead to revocation under Wis. Admin. Code PI 34.098(2). This status does not affect any other educator licenses held by the individual.
Driver Ed License Only - Revoked: The person's driver education license was revoked for specific reasons outlined in Wis. Admin. Code PI 34.098(2). This revocation does not impact any other Wisconsin educator licenses held by the individual.
Wisconsin DPI takes educator misconduct allegations seriously. The DPI has resources for reporting Mandatory School District Reporting of Educator Misconduct. If you're curious about the process, the website explains the procedures for Educator Misconduct Investigation
The Wisconsin DPI website provides extensive resources related to educator licensing, including:
By utilizing the DPI's License Lookup tool and understanding the available resources, you can confidently verify the credentials of Wisconsin educators and contribute to maintaining high standards in education.
