Minnesota PELSB • Teacher Credential Verification • 2026
Minnesota Teacher License Lookup: Verify Teaching Credentials Online
Need to check whether a Minnesota teacher holds a valid teaching license? Use the state’s official educator license lookup to find an educator’s license details, teaching field, license tier and expiration information.
This guide explains how to search the official registry, interpret the results, check disciplinary records, understand Minnesota’s four teaching-license tiers and complete renewal or formal verification requests.
Open Official Teacher License Lookup ↗ View Search Instructions ↓
Minnesota Teacher License Lookup — Quick Facts
Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB)
Educator name or File Folder Number
License PDF and detailed licensure history
651-539-4200
How to Look Up a Minnesota Teacher License
The fastest way to verify Minnesota teaching credentials is through the official Minnesota Educator License Lookup. Search using the educator’s first and last name or Minnesota File Folder Number. Open the license record to review the teaching field, tier, grade authorization and expiration information.
The lookup is maintained for public access to educator licensure records. It is useful for schools verifying prospective employees, teachers checking their own credentials, parents researching licensure and educators preparing an application in another state.
The official lookup is not the same as a criminal background check, employment screening or a complete disciplinary inquiry. School hiring authorities must perform any additional checks required for their circumstances.
For School Employers
Confirm the educator’s identity, license authorization and expiration before making an assignment decision.
For Licensed Teachers
Review current credentials, identify your File Folder Number and check what renewal requirements apply.
For Parents
Learn what the public record establishes and why an educator’s subject and grade authorization matter.
Who Issues Minnesota Teacher Licenses?
The Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) administers the state’s educator licensure system. It oversees teacher licensure requirements, standards for teacher preparation and educator ethics matters.
The public educator lookup is hosted on a Minnesota Department of Education web address. However, PELSB is the authority responsible for Minnesota teacher licensing.
Which System Should You Use?
| Task | Correct Resource |
|---|---|
| Verify an issued teaching license | PELSB Educator License Lookup |
| Review license renewal requirements | PELSB Licensure Renewal |
| Check final disciplinary history for hiring | Teacher Disciplinary Inquiry System |
| Request a good-standing letter | PELSB Verification Letters |
| Apply for a teaching license | PELSB Licensure Application System |
School administrator licensing and certain other education credentials follow separate requirements. A standard teaching license should not be treated as evidence that an individual holds every type of educational credential.
Minnesota Teacher License Lookup: Step-by-Step Instructions
PELSB’s public lookup allows searching by educator name or File Folder Number. Follow these steps to reduce the risk of confusing two people or misreading a license record.
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Open the Official Lookup
Go to pub.education.mn.gov/licenselookup. This is the public search destination linked from PELSB’s official website.
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Choose Your Search Information
Enter the educator’s Minnesota File Folder Number if known. Otherwise, search with the teacher’s first and last name. Use the spelling associated with the licensing record.
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Identify the Correct Educator
Review the returned results carefully. Similar names are possible. When the identity is uncertain, ask the educator for their File Folder Number rather than guessing.
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Open the License PDF or Detailed History
The license PDF provides credential information. The detailed history helps clarify license periods and other licensing details.
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Review the Teaching Authorization
Check the license tier, teaching field, grade range and expiration. If the license contains assignment-specific limitations or permissions, examine those conditions before relying on it.
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Complete Additional Required Checks
For employment decisions, school administrators should complete the applicable disciplinary inquiry and other legally required employment checks. Record when verification was completed.
Some Minnesota teaching licenses affected by the January 2018 transition to tiered licensure received an additional year of validity without an updated PDF. For those records, the license details page is the appropriate place to confirm the expiration.
Understanding Minnesota Teacher License Search Results
A name appearing in the lookup does not automatically establish that an educator is currently authorized for a particular classroom assignment.
Review the following information together rather than treating one field as a complete determination.
| License Detail | Meaning | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| File Folder Number | Identifier associated with the educator’s licensing file | Use it to distinguish similar names. |
| License Tier | Minnesota’s Tier 1, 2, 3 or 4 classification | Check validity and tier-specific conditions. |
| Teaching Field | Subject or licensure area | Match it to the intended teaching assignment. |
| Grade Range | Grades or ages covered by the credential | Confirm the classroom falls within the authorized range. |
| Expiration Date | End of the stated credential validity period | Verify the applicable date in current license details. |
| Special Permission | Additional authorization for certain assignments | Check the permission’s field, district and validity. |
A Minnesota File Folder Number may be assigned during an application. The number alone does not prove that the application was approved or that a teaching license was issued.
Minnesota Teacher License Tiers: Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3 and Tier 4
Minnesota uses a four-tier teaching-license system. The tier affects how long a license is valid, which qualifications are required and whether the license is tied to a particular district or assignment.
| Tier | Validity | General Description | Verification Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Up to one school year | Limited pathway generally requiring a Minnesota school job offer | District, teaching field and renewal restrictions |
| Tier 2 | Up to two school years | Pathway for qualifying educators who meet specified preparation or education conditions | District, field, validity and renewal eligibility |
| Tier 3 | Three years | Professional license generally valid across Minnesota within its licensed field | Teaching field, expiration and professional development |
| Tier 4 | Five years | Professional teaching license renewable when current conditions are met | Field, expiration and renewal requirements |
Tier 1 and Tier 2: District-Specific Conditions
PELSB explains that Tier 1 and Tier 2 licenses require a job offer from a Minnesota public or charter school. The license is issued for the specified school district and licensure field.
If a teacher changes the employing district or teaching field during the license period, PELSB generally requires an application and fee to update the authorization. School employers should not assume an existing Tier 1 or Tier 2 license transfers automatically to another district.
Tier 3 and Tier 4: Professional Licenses
Tier 3 and Tier 4 credentials generally allow teaching at Minnesota schools within the field or fields listed on the license. Their renewal requirements include professional development and mandatory training components.
PELSB states that the former Tier 2 “Pick Two Pathway” could be used for eligible renewals only through June 30, 2026. Teachers who relied on that pathway should review currently available Tier 2 or Tier 3 options.
Does a Minnesota Teacher License Cover Every Subject or Grade?
No. A teacher may hold a valid Minnesota license without being authorized for every grade, subject or specialized educational assignment.
School administrators should match the actual classroom assignment with the license’s teaching field and grade range.
Elementary Teaching
Verify the authorized elementary grade range and any applicable field limitations.
Middle and High School
Match the license’s subject area and permitted grades to the specific courses being taught.
Special Education
Check the relevant special education licensure field. A general education license does not automatically authorize specialized assignments.
Short-Call Substitutes
Review the substitute credential and its conditions rather than treating it as a regular classroom teaching license.
Out-of-Field Permissions
Verify that any permission covers the particular teaching assignment, school district and time period.
School Administrators
Principal and other administrative roles have separate licensing requirements. An ordinary teacher license is not sufficient proof of administrator licensure.
Minnesota Teacher Disciplinary Records and License Verification
Checking whether a license exists is different from checking the educator’s disciplinary history.
Minnesota’s Teacher Disciplinary Inquiry System (TDIS) is a password-protected system intended for authorized school hiring authorities. It provides access to final disciplinary information as part of the hiring process.
Who Can Use TDIS?
School boards and other authorized hiring authorities can establish access to TDIS. The system is not intended to function as an unrestricted public search equivalent to the general educator license lookup.
How Does the Inquiry Work?
- The hiring authority designates an authorized user.
- The user obtains the required TDIS access.
- The educator’s File Folder Number is used to conduct the inquiry.
- The authorized user reviews available final disciplinary information.
- The hiring authority documents the inquiry as appropriate for its hiring procedures.
Are Pending Teacher Complaints Public?
Not necessarily. Pending investigations are generally subject to confidentiality and applicable data privacy rules. A complaint or investigation should not automatically be described as a final disciplinary finding.
The public license lookup should not replace TDIS when a school hiring authority is required to complete a disciplinary inquiry. Employment background checks may involve additional procedures.
Minnesota Teacher License Renewal Requirements
Minnesota teacher license renewal depends on the educator’s existing tier, expiration date, continuing education and applicable mandatory training requirements.
The first step is to look up the current license and identify its tier and renewal conditions.
Tier 3 and Tier 4 Clock Hours
75 Hours
Approved professional development during the applicable three-year renewal period, including mandatory components.
125 Hours
Approved professional development during the applicable five-year renewal period, including mandatory components.
PELSB’s February 2026 Renewal Requirements Chart identifies 75 hours for Tier 3 teachers and 125 hours for Tier 4 teachers. These hours must satisfy the applicable approval and mandatory training rules.
School district continuing education committees generally play a role in approving renewal clock hours. The applicable mandatory components must also be completed.
Step-by-Step License Renewal
- Find the license: Use the educator lookup to identify the tier, expiration and renewal conditions.
- Review current requirements: Check PELSB’s tier-specific renewal instructions.
- Check professional development: Confirm that approved clock hours and mandatory components have been recorded.
- Gather required verification: Obtain any local committee, district or other supporting documentation.
- Use the correct application system: Submit the renewal through PELSB’s online licensing process when eligible.
- Check the updated license: Return to the public lookup after processing to verify the new record.
Can You Renew an Expired Minnesota Teacher License?
PELSB states that there is no separate penalty simply for renewing an expired license. However, the educator must still meet the applicable renewal requirements.
For a previously held five-year professional teaching license, the current guidance generally requires 125 approved clock hours and applicable mandatory training components. Other expired credential types may follow different procedures.
What If Clock Hours Are Missing?
Tier 3 and Tier 4 teachers can view clock hours reported to PELSB through the online licensing system. Hours stored in a separate third-party system may not automatically appear in PELSB’s records.
If hours are missing, confirm reporting with the district or relevant continuing education committee before assuming the renewal can proceed.
Changing from one tier to another may require a separate application and additional qualifications. Do not assume that submitting an online renewal automatically upgrades the credential.
Applying for a New Minnesota Teaching License
An educator who does not yet hold a Minnesota license must follow an application pathway rather than attempting to verify an unissued credential.
PELSB has pathways for Minnesota-trained applicants, teachers prepared in another state, certain alternative-route candidates and qualifying educators seeking district-specific licenses.
What Applicants Should Prepare
- Identity and contact information required by the application.
- Education and teacher preparation documentation applicable to the selected tier.
- Any required examination or exemption documentation.
- A qualifying school job offer when applying for Tier 1 or Tier 2.
- Required background-check materials for initial licensure.
- Applicable application forms, fees and supporting documents.
Fingerprint Background Checks
PELSB requires a fingerprint-based background check for initial educator licensure. Applicants should follow the agency’s current fingerprint-card submission instructions.
Teachers who previously held a Minnesota educator license may be subject to different fingerprinting requirements from first-time applicants.
How Long Does the Licensing Process Take?
PELSB’s processing period depends on when the agency has received a complete application and the required background-check results. Applicants should not confuse the submission date with the date on which every required item becomes available to the licensing authority.
A pending application or assigned File Folder Number is not proof that the applicant may teach under an issued Minnesota license.
How to Request an Official Minnesota Teacher License Verification Letter
Some state licensing agencies and employers require formal proof of teaching licensure or a letter of good standing rather than relying on a public lookup record.
PELSB’s official verification instructions explain how to request that documentation.
Request by Email
Send a formal verification or good-standing request to:
verificationletters.pelsb@state.mn.us
Include your Minnesota File Folder Number and explain the type of verification needed by the receiving organization.
When an Original Signature Is Required
PELSB permits requests requiring an original signature to be mailed with the appropriate verification form and Minnesota File Folder Number.
Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board1021 Bandana Boulevard East
Suite 222
Saint Paul, MN 55108
How Long Does Verification Take?
PELSB’s verification document explains that verification letters and forms are completed and mailed monthly. Allow enough time when another state’s licensing application depends on the official response.
The agency also explains that it cannot verify teaching examination scores or testing dates when those records are not retained by PELSB.
Before requesting a letter, check whether the receiving state accepts the public Minnesota license record or requires its own verification form. This can prevent an unnecessary request and possible processing delay.
Minnesota Teacher License Lookup Problems and Solutions
Most lookup questions involve matching the correct educator, interpreting an older record or distinguishing an application from an issued license.
| Problem | Possible Explanation | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher not found | Different name, incorrect spelling or identifier | Check the spelling and request the educator’s File Folder Number. |
| Multiple matching names | Several educators have similar names | Confirm the correct File Folder Number before relying on a result. |
| License PDF has an unexpected expiration | Legacy license affected by the 2018 transition | Check the detailed license information. |
| File Folder Number but no issued license | Application may not yet have been approved | Confirm application status with PELSB. |
| Renewal information missing | Clock hours may not have been reported | Consult the district’s continuing education committee. |
| Old lookup website no longer works | Outdated bookmark or prior search destination | Use the official lookup linked from PELSB. |
Teacher Credential Verification Checklist for Minnesota Schools
A school employer should record enough information to establish which credential was checked and whether it meets the intended assignment.
Information to Confirm
- Correct educator name and File Folder Number.
- PELSB record reviewed.
- Current license tier and expiration.
- Authorized teaching subject.
- Appropriate grade range.
- Any district-specific permissions or restrictions.
- Required disciplinary inquiry.
- Other applicable employment checks.
- Date verification was completed.
Information That Is Not Enough
- A resume claiming the teacher is licensed.
- A File Folder Number without proof of an issued license.
- An old PDF without checking current details.
- A license covering a different subject.
- An application receipt.
- A public lookup used instead of the required disciplinary inquiry.
- An expired license without evidence of applicable authorization.
Minnesota PELSB Contact Information and Office Hours
Contact PELSB for questions about licensing requirements, records, renewal procedures and formal credential verification that cannot be resolved through the published instructions.
Agency Contact
Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board1021 Bandana Blvd. E.
Suite 222
Saint Paul, MN 55108-5111
Phone: 651-539-4200
Email: pelsb@state.mn.us
Verification Letters: verificationletters.pelsb@state.mn.us
Published Office Hours
Walk-in visitors:
Tuesday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Telephone:
Tuesday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–noon and 1:30–4 p.m.
Telephone closed:
Monday and Friday.
Dropbox:
Monday–Friday, 6:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
PELSB also notes that phone service is closed on the Tuesday following an observed Monday holiday.
PELSB reports free parking at Bandana Square. Use the agency’s official contact page to confirm current hours before traveling.
Official Minnesota Teacher License Lookup Resources
The following government resources support the verification, renewal, disciplinary inquiry and formal credential processes covered in this guide.
Minnesota Educator License Lookup
Search issued educator records and review available license information.
Open Official Lookup ↗PELSB Current Educators
Official gateway to licensure records, renewal resources, clock hours and requirements.
Open PELSB Resources ↗Teacher License Renewal
Review renewal by tier, expired-license conditions and continuing education requirements.
Open Renewal Information ↗February 2026 Renewal Requirements Chart
Official PDF identifying clock-hour obligations and mandatory renewal components for teaching and related-service credentials.
Open Renewal Requirements PDF ↗Teacher Disciplinary Inquiry System
Access information for authorized school hiring authorities.
Open Disciplinary Inquiry Guidance ↗Official Teaching License Verification Form
PELSB guidance for good-standing letters and verification requests requiring an official response.
Open Verification PDF ↗PELSB Contact and Office Information
Official phone number, email address, location and visitor schedule.
Open Contact Information ↗Minnesota Teacher License Lookup: 10 Frequently Asked Questions
These answers cover the most common questions about verifying teaching credentials in Minnesota.
1. How do I look up a Minnesota teacher license?
Open the official Minnesota Educator License Lookup at https://pub.education.mn.gov/licenselookup/. Search using the educator’s first and last name or File Folder Number. Review the license PDF and detailed history for teaching authorization and expiration information.
2. Can I verify a Minnesota teacher by name?
Yes. The official lookup allows a search by first and last name. When several educators have similar names, use the File Folder Number to confirm the correct individual.
3. Is the Minnesota teacher license lookup free?
The public educator license lookup is available without paying a license application fee. Applying for a license, renewing a credential and obtaining other licensing services may involve separate fees.
4. How can I tell if a Minnesota teaching license is valid?
Review the official license details, including the current validity period, tier, teaching field, grade authorization and any restrictions. Employers should also complete applicable disciplinary and employment checks.
5. What is a Minnesota teacher File Folder Number?
A File Folder Number is an identifier associated with an educator’s Minnesota licensure file. It helps locate and distinguish records. Possessing a File Folder Number does not prove that a teaching license was issued.
6. What is the difference between Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3 and Tier 4?
Tier 1 licenses are generally valid for up to one school year, Tier 2 for up to two school years, Tier 3 for three years and Tier 4 for five years. Each tier has different eligibility, assignment and renewal requirements.
7. Where do I check Minnesota teacher disciplinary records?
Authorized school hiring authorities can use Minnesota’s Teacher Disciplinary Inquiry System to review available final disciplinary information. This is a separate process from the public educator license lookup.
8. Why does an older Minnesota teacher license show an unusual expiration date?
Some licenses affected by the January 2018 transition to tiered licensure received an additional year of validity without an updated PDF. PELSB advises using the license details page to confirm the correct expiration in those cases.
9. Can I renew an expired Minnesota teaching license?
PELSB states that there is no separate penalty simply for renewing an expired license, but applicable renewal conditions must still be met. Tier 3 teachers generally need 75 approved clock hours, while Tier 4 teachers generally need 125, together with mandatory requirements.
10. How do I request an official Minnesota teacher license verification letter?
PELSB accepts formal verification and good-standing requests at verificationletters.pelsb@state.mn.us. If an original signature is required, follow PELSB’s mail-in instructions and include the educator’s File Folder Number. Verification forms and letters are processed periodically.