Six Semester Credits

The six semester credits must be completed in the five year period preceding the new July 1 license start date (i.e. if the new license will start July 1, 2011, credits must be completed between 7/1/2006 and 6/30/2011). Credits earned in one five-year period may not be "banked" for use in a future period. Semester credits completed after June 30 of the year a license expires will not be accepted for a five-year renewal. If all required credits are not completed by June 30 of the year a license expires, the applicant may be eligible to apply for a one-year non-renewable license (indicate in Section III of form PI-1602-5R). If the additional credits needed for a five-year license are completed during the one-year non-renewable license period (from July 1 to June 30), the applicant may then apply (with a new application PI-1602-5R form and fee) for another five-year license.

Professional Development Plan (PDP) 

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An educator may satisfy the professional growth requirement by successfully completing a PDP as authorized in Chapter PI 34 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code. Choosing the PDP option to renew a license in one renewal cycle does not obligate the educator to use the PDP process to renew that license in future renewal cycles.

Master Educator Process

Under DPI Educator Licensing policy, the five-year license renewal professional growth requirement may be met by completing either the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) process or the Wisconsin Master Educator Assessment Process (WMEAP), whether or not national certification or a Master Educator license is attained.

Please visit the DPI web page or call 1-800-441-4563 for more detailed information. It will describe how each educator level must proceed, for example, initial educator/professional educator/ master educator. Each one is different.

Department of Regulation and Licensing

Speech-language pathologists and audiologists who work in settings other than public schools are licensed through the Department of Safety and Professional Services (formerly DRL). Twenty hours of continuing education are required every two years to maintain the DSPS license, and the subject matter for this continuing education must be related to one’s specific area of practice. There are numerous sources, including the Wisconsin Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Association, for receiving continuing education to meet these requirements. Courses offered in alternative delivery methods-such as distance education via home study, videoconferencing, or Internet courses-may also be approved, and the DSPS has a procedure for such approval.

For more information about the DSPS license and
continuing education requirements, write:

The Department of Safety and Professional Services (formerly DRL)
State of Wisconsin
P.O. Box 8935, Madison, WI 53708-8935
Phone 608-266-2811