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Requirements  /  Wisconsin

Wisconsin Teacher PD Requirements (2026)

No statewide PD hour count for renewal

Source

Primary source: WI DPI Bureau of Educator Licensing — Professional Educator License renewal pages. Wisconsin is unusual in using a goal-based PDP framework rather than an hour-count. The 6-semester-credit alternative path exists only for educators licensed before August 31, 2004 (legacy population), and equates to ~90 contact hours of college coursework. Most current-era educators complete a PDP that's reviewed by a 3-member team (typically the educator's supervisor + a peer + an Institution of Higher Education representative). Master Educator License (10-year, optional, for NBPTS or Wisconsin Master Educator Assessment Process completers) is a separate Stage-4 lifetime-eligible track.

Teachers

Renewal model
No fixed PD hour requirement

Wisconsin uses a goal-based Professional Development Plan (PDP) for Professional Educator License renewal rather than a fixed hour count. Educators licensed after August 31, 2004 must complete a PDP to renew (no 6-credit alternative). Educators licensed before that date have two options: complete a PDP OR complete 6 semester credits — the 6-credit path equates to roughly 90 contact hours of college seat time. The PDP itself has no statewide minimum hour requirement; it's goal-and-evidence-based, reviewed by a 3-member team of peers. Professional Educator License is 5-year, renewable. Lifetime License is available after completing six semesters of WI experience plus all statutory requirements.

Counselors

Renewal model
No fixed PD hour requirement

School counselors hold a Professional Educator License (Pupil Services category) and follow the same PDP-based renewal — no statewide hour count. The PDP is goal-and-evidence-based.

Administrators

Renewal model
No fixed PD hour requirement

Administrators hold a Professional Educator License (Administrator category) and follow the same PDP-based renewal. No statewide hour count; PDP is goal-and-evidence-based with peer-team review.

Other Midwest states

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Information current as of May 25, 2026. Verify with your state Department of Education for official licensure decisions.