What a new credential process is and when you need one

A new credential process in Minnesota is the form you submit to the Minnesota Department of Education and Workforce (formerly the Department of Education) when you want to earn a teaching license, school counselor license, principal license, or other school staff credential for the first time. It is not a renewal — it is the initial paperwork that starts the credentialing process from the beginning.

You need a new credential process if you have never held a Minnesota teaching or school staff license before, even if you hold a license from another state. The process tells the state who you are, what degree you hold, what subject or role you want to teach or work in, and whether you have passed the required exams. The state then reviews your materials and decides whether to issue your credential.

The process itself is free, but you will need to pay for background checks, fingerprinting, and exam fees separately. Those costs vary depending on which credential you are seeking and which exams you must take.

Key Takeaways

  • A new credential process is filed with the Minnesota Department of Education and Workforce and is required the first time you seek any school staff license in Minnesota.
  • You will need official transcripts from your college or university, proof of passing required exams, and a completed background check before you submit.
  • The process is submitted online through the Minnesota Department of Education and Workforce website, and processing typically takes four to eight weeks.
  • If you hold a teaching license from another state, Minnesota may recognize it through reciprocity, but you still file a new credential process to transfer it.

What documents you need to gather first

Before you start the process, collect your official transcripts from every college or university where you earned credits toward your degree. These must be ordered directly from the registrar's office at each school — unofficial copies or PDFs you print yourself will not be accepted. Request them in sealed envelopes if the school still offers that option, or ask them to send them electronically directly to the Minnesota Department of Education and Workforce.

You will also need proof that you have passed the required exams for your credential. For most teaching licenses, this means passing the appropriate Praxis exam (the state-mandated content test for your subject area). If you are seeking a principal or school counselor license, you will need to pass different exams. Print or read your official score reports from the testing organization — do not rely on your own notes about your scores.

Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and current address ready. You will also need to authorize a background check, which involves fingerprinting. Minnesota requires fingerprints through the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and the FBI. Some school districts and third-party vendors offer fingerprinting services; check the Minnesota Department of Education and Workforce website for approved locations near you.

How to complete and submit the online process

Go to the Minnesota Department of Education and Workforce website and locate the licensure process portal. Create an account with your email address and a password. The system will walk you through a series of screens asking for your personal information, education history, and the specific credential you are seeking.

Fill in your name, address, phone number, and email exactly as they appear on your official documents. Select the credential type from the dropdown menu — for example, "Secondary Teacher — Mathematics" or "School Counselor." The form will then show you which exams and documents are required for that specific credential.

Upload your official transcripts and exam score reports directly into the portal. The system accepts PDF files. If you have transcripts from multiple schools, upload each one separately. Double-check that all file names are clear and that the documents are readable before you submit — blurry or incomplete uploads can delay processing.

Review the entire process for accuracy before you click submit. Once submitted, you will receive a confirmation email with an process number. Save this number — you will need it to check your status or contact the department with questions.

Background check and fingerprinting requirements

Minnesota law requires all applicants for school staff credentials to complete a background check through both the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the FBI. This is a separate process from the process itself, but you must complete it before your credential can be issued.

You can have your fingerprints taken at an approved location — many police departments, sheriff's offices, and private fingerprinting vendors participate. When you go in, tell them you need fingerprints for a Minnesota Department of Education and Workforce credential. They will provide you with a form to sign and will submit your fingerprints electronically to the BCA and FBI.

The background check typically takes two to four weeks to complete. You do not need to wait for it to finish before submitting your process, but the department will not issue your credential until the background check comes back clear. If the check reveals any criminal history, the department will contact you to discuss whether it affects your may be able to access.

What happens after you submit and how long it takes

Once the Minnesota Department of Education and Workforce receives your process, a staff member will review it to confirm that all required documents are present and that you meet the basic requirements for the credential. If anything is missing, they will send you an email asking you to submit it within a specified timeframe — usually 10 to 15 business days.

If your process is complete, the department will verify your exam scores with the testing organization and confirm your degree with your college or university. This verification step typically takes two to four weeks. During this time, you can check your process status online using your process number.

Once verification is complete and your background check has cleared, the department will issue your credential. You will receive an email notification and can read a PDF of your license from the portal. Some people also request a printed certificate, which you can order for a small fee. The entire process from submission to issuance usually takes four to eight weeks, though it can be faster if all your documents arrive quickly and slower if the department needs to follow up with you.

If you are transferring a license from another state

If you already hold a teaching or school staff license from another state, Minnesota may recognize it through reciprocity agreements. However, you still must file a new credential process with the Minnesota Department of Education and Workforce. The process is similar, but instead of transcripts and exams, you will submit a copy of your current out-of-state license and proof of how long you have held it.

Some states have formal reciprocity agreements with Minnesota, which means the department will issue your Minnesota credential more quickly and with fewer additional requirements. Other states do not, and you may be asked to pass the Minnesota Praxis exam or submit additional coursework documentation. The department's website lists which states have reciprocity agreements and what each one requires.

Contact the Minnesota Department of Education and Workforce before you file your process if you are unsure whether your out-of-state license will transfer. They can tell you what documents you will need and whether you will face any gaps in your qualifications under Minnesota's standards.

Common reasons applications are delayed or denied

The most frequent cause of delay is missing or incomplete transcripts. If your college or university does not send official transcripts directly to the department, or if the transcripts are unclear, processing stops until you resubmit them. Order transcripts early and confirm with the registrar that they have been sent.

Exam score mismatches also cause delays. If you list an exam score on your process that does not match the official score report from the testing organization, the department will ask you to clarify. Make sure you are submitting the correct exam results for your credential type — some credentials require multiple exams, and submitting the wrong one will hold up your process.

Background check issues are another common reason for denial or delay. If your background check reveals a criminal conviction, the department will review whether it disqualifies you under Minnesota law. Some convictions automatically disqualify you; others are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. If this happens, the department will contact you with next steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I start teaching before my credential is officially issued?

No. Minnesota law requires you to hold a valid credential before you can work as a teacher or school staff member in a public school. Some districts may hire you conditionally while your process is being processed, but you cannot begin work until your credential is in hand. Private schools may have different rules — contact the school directly.

Do I need to take the Praxis exam before I submit my process?

Yes. You must pass the required Praxis exam before you file your new credential process. The exam results are part of your process materials. If you have not yet taken the exam, register with the testing organization first, take the exam, and then submit your process once you have your official score report.

What if I earned my degree outside the United States?

You will need to submit official transcripts from your foreign institution, but they must be evaluated by a credential evaluation service approved by the Minnesota Department of Education and Workforce. This evaluation confirms that your degree is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree. The evaluation typically costs $100 to $300 and takes two to four weeks. Submit the evaluation report along with your process.

Can I change my credential type after I submit my process?

Contact the Minnesota Department of Education and Workforce before you submit if you are unsure about your credential type. Once you submit, changing the credential type usually requires withdrawing your process and starting over. It is faster to get it right the first time.

What if I do not hear back from the department after I submit?

Check your process status online using your process number. If more than two weeks have passed and you see no updates, send an email to the Minnesota Department of Education and Workforce with your process number and ask for a status check. Response times vary, but the department typically replies within five to ten business days.