INITIAL LICENSURE APPLICATION INFORMATION

OFFICE OF TEACHER EDUCATION AND STUDENT SERVICES

THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
www.education.uiowa.edu/tess

Return completed application materials :

olicensure application

oprogram checklist

oprogram guidesheet (required for graduate programs in special education & school counseling)

o fingerprint cards (2 cards required)

o waiver form
o Field experience Portfolio Verification Form required for elementary, secondary and special education
o fee (money order only) – initial license total $137– payable to Board of Educational Examiners

Fingerprint materials and fees are sent to the Board of Educational Examiners shortly after the application due date . Once materials have been sent the fee is not refundable.

 

to:

LYNN MCMORRIS, LICENSURE ANALYST
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
OFFICE OF TEACHER EDUCATION AND STUDENT SERVICES
N310 LINDQUIST CENTER
THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
IOWA CITY IA  52242
(319) 335-5358 e-mail address: (lynn-mcmorris@uiowa.edu)

 

 

 

You are strongly encouraged to apply for a regular IOWA license upon completion of your program, even if you don't intend to teach in this State. Application for this license validates completion of our current University of Iowa approved program. The program you have just completed is currently on file and accredited by the Iowa Department of Education. Apply as soon as you are eligible. As programs or licensure requirements change, you will eventually become ineligible for the initial Iowa license. It is much easier to renew than to meet a new set of program requirements. It is not usually necessary to renew this license unless you are teaching in this State. Holding an Iowa license is frequently beneficial when making application for licensure in another state.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE "APPLICATION FOR LICENSURE":

Obtain application materials by clicking on each item noted above. A specific fingerprint card is required for Iowa licensure. Obtain your cards from the Office of Teacher Education and Student Services, N310 Lindquist Center.  In Iowa City, prints may be completed at the UI Department of Public Safety.  Outside of Iowa City, check with the local police department.

Section I – completed by applicant
1. FOLDER NUMBER. Leave  blank. A permanent folder # will be assigned to you by the State Department of Education.

2. WHEN WILL I GET MY LICENSE AND WHERE WILL IT BE SENT? Provide a permanent address on your application. The license will be mailed to that address directly from the State Department of Education. You should receive your license within a few weeks following graduation if you filed your application materials by the appropriate semester due date and if the State has concluded their criminal check.

3. WHAT TYPE OF LICENSE SHOULD I REQUEST?  On the application please check the type of license desired. You may select Initial, Substitute, or both. Most first time applicants apply for the Initial License only.  Read below for more information.  Either one of these will serve to validate your licensure program as indicated above.  All program completers are strongly encouraged to apply for an Iowa License.  

The Initial License (valid for two years) is Iowa's initial regular license.  Most first time applicants should apply for this type of License. The Initial License is required for any regular teaching position in the State of Iowa. Some Iowa districts will not even interview an applicant without the Initial License. Many states outside Iowa will request a copy of your Initial License when you are making application in their state. You may also substitute teach on the Initial License (any grade level and any subject area) so it is not recommended that you apply for both the Initial and Substitute License.  Please review the renewal requirements for Initial licensure on the Board of Educational Examiner’s (BOEE) web site (www.boee.iowa.gov).

The Substitute License (valid for five years) entitles you to substitute teach in any grade level and any subject area. Individual school districts may, however, have their own policies regarding placement of substitute teachers. Some restrictions apply to this License, which may be found in the licensure renewal requirements section of the BOEE web site.  The Substitute License is NOT usually recognized as a regular teaching license outside the State of Iowa.

Upon completion of the requisite teaching experience, you will become eligible for the Standard License.  Course work is required for renewal of this License.  Any course work completed during the Initial Licensure period will not be counted as renewal credit for the Standard License.  Again, please refer to the licensure renewal section of the BOEE web site for information about the Standard License.

What should you do if you don't meet the requirements for the Standard License after the first issuance of your Initial License? If you hold a teaching position in the State of Iowa, you will need to renew your Initial License. If you don't have a teaching position just let the Initial License expire until a teaching contract is offered to you, then renew.

4. BACKGROUND INFORMATION:  It is extremely important that you respond to these questions completely and honestly. If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, an explanation will need to accompany the application. This explanation should be supplied on a separate 81/2 x 11 sheet of paper. Include your name and social security number on this page.  Supply as much detail as you can. Fingerprinting has become mandatory in the State of Iowa for all Initial Licensure applicants. A specific card is used for this purpose. Obtain your cards from the Office of Teacher Education and Student Services.

5. FEE INFORMATION. Money orders only are accepted for initial licensure.  They should be made payable to The Board of Educational Examiners.  The total fee amount is $137. Each applicant should submit only one money order. $85 of this fee covers the licensure application and $52 covers the criminal check.  DO NOT SEND CASH or PERSONAL CHECKS.  

6. Sign and date the application  Return application, program checklist, program guidesheet (if applicable), field experience portfolio verification (if applicable), waiver form, and fee to N310 LC.  Fingerprint cards completed at the UI Department of Public Safety will be retained by that office in the yellow fingerprint folder to be picked up by the Office of Teacher Education and Student Services.  If fingerprints are completed out-of-state, they must be returned to N310 LC in a sealed envelope.

7. PROGRAM GUIDESHEETS. Graduate students in special education and school counseling should complete a program guide sheet.  No guide is currently required for Speech Pathology/Audiology, School Social Work or School Psychology.

8. Upon receipt of your license, check over thoroughly. If changes are necessary, contact Lynn McMorris immediately. Changes made to your license after 30 days from issue date will result in additional fees.

9. Several of you may be interested in adding endorsements based on State of Iowa minimum requirements. This would probably make you more marketable in the Iowa job market. See: www.education.uiowa.edu/tess/license/minimum.html. DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, TEACH CLASSES FOR WHICH YOU ARE NOT ENDORSED. BE SURE TO OBTAIN A CONDITIONAL LICENSE!

Section II of the licensure application is completed by Lynn McMorris, Licensure Analyst

The University of Iowa is your "Recommending Institution." Out-of-state licensure/certification applications frequently request a recommendation from the "Recommending Institution" signed by the Registrar, Dean, or Certification Official. These applications should be sent to Lynn McMorris for processing. We will continue working with you on an ongoing basis with all licensure/certification matters. (outofst.html).  At the bottom of the Licensure web site you will find a link to the various state departments.  In many instances you can download application materials. 


Directory information to keep handy:
State of Iowa, Department of Education
Licensure
Grimes State Office Building
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0146
1-800-778-7856 (State Department Teacher info line see BOE web site (
www.boee.iowa.gov) for menu of services)

State Department contacts:
Mike Cavin, Special Ed Consult (515)281-3437 (
mike.cavin@iowa.gov)
Gary Borlaug, Consultant (515) 281-3483 (
gary.borlaug@iowa.gov)
Geri McMahon (515) 281-8323 (
geri.mcmahon@iowa.gov)
David Morgan (515) 281-6896 (
david.e.morgan@iowa.gov)

Updated 12/2/05

 

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Last updated 11/3/06