According to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), an Initial Educator License is valid for five years and is non-renewable, unless the teacher has not yet completed three years of teaching experience within that period. In such cases, they may reapply for another five-year Initial License.

Once an educator has accumulated at least three years of teaching experience, they become eligible to advance to a Professional Educator License. This advancement requires three to five years of teaching and the successful completion of a Professional Development Plan (PDP).

Educators are expected to develop a Professional Development Plan (PDP) as part of the performance evaluation process, which outlines the professional learning necessary for license renewal. Those holding a Lifetime Educator License must also complete a background check every five years and submit an application to maintain their license. Continued employment in the licensed field is required to keep the license active; however, educators who leave the field may reapply for a Provisional License if they return after a lapse in employment.