Licensure FAQ

HOW and WHERE to apply for the license:
Individuals who have completed a teacher education program or license renewal coursework at Purdue University and wish to secure a recommendation from the Office of Professional Preparation and Licensure may submit their application materials using one of two application options: (1) online directly to the Office of Educator Licensing and Development or (2) paper-based application sent to the Office of Professional Preparation and Licensure.

ONLINE APPLICATION
1.  Submit a copy of the front and back sides of the signed CPR certificate or card and  the mailing address (where you plan to have the license sent) to the Office of Professional Preparation and Licensure.  Recommendation for licensure will not be completed prior to the receipt of the CPR certificate or card and mailing address.

2.  To begin the online process, visit the following:
If you are a first-time online applicant, visit: 
http://www.doe.state.in.us/dps/licensing/online_licensing.html

3.  Once you have registered and/or completed the login process, you will complete the application.  Payment must be made using a credit card.  The Limited Criminal History Check is completed by the State as part of the online process.

PAPER-BASED
1.  To access the PDF teacher application, visit
http://www.doe.in.gov/dps/licensing/forms/SF09331.pdf

2.  Complete all applicable sections of the application.  If you have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor (other than minor traffic violations), attach a written explanation and copies of court records.

3.  Sign and date the application.

4.  Send the application materials packet to the Office of Professional Preparation and Licensure, Beering Hall of Liberal Arts and Education, Room 3229.  Do not send the license application to the Office of Educator Licensing and Development, since a recommendation from Purdue University is required.  The licensing materials packet should include the following:  signed and dated application, Limited Criminal History Report, copy of the front and back sides of the signed CPR certificate or card (if applying for an ORIGINAL license), $35 fee made payable to the State of Indiana in the form of a cashier's check or a signed and addressed money order.  If you are applying for the renewal of an existing license or an addition to an existing license, include the official teacher license.

For more information about the renewal process please visit

http://www.doe.in.gov/dps/licensing/checklists/Checklist for renewing an Indiana license.pdf

WHEN to apply for the license:
Current students completing a Teacher Education Program at Purdue University may apply two months (60 days) prior to the last day of their last semester courses, as long as all Praxis Tests and CPR certification requirements have been successfully completed. Veteran teachers wishing to complete a licensure action for renewal, conversion, or the addition of a new area to an existing license may apply two months (60 days) prior to the expiration date listed on the current license. If the license has already expired, you may apply immediately. If it has been more than five years since a teacher education program was completed, and an Indiana teacher license was not obtained, please contact the Office of Professional Preparation and Licensure at licensure@purdue.edu for additional information.

HOW LONG is a Limited Criminal History Report valid:
A Limited Criminal History Report is valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance. If a report was obtained for the purpose of a substitute teacher license, Emergency Permit, or any other licensure action within the past year, no additional Limited Criminal History Report is required when applying for licensure. A note should be attached to the application stating that the Limited Criminal History Report is on file at the Office of Educator Licensing and Development.

WHAT TESTS are required to apply for the license:
All first-time teacher license applicants (not already holding a valid Indiana teacher license) must take the Praxis I Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST or Computerized PPST) and the Praxis II Specialty Area Test(s). Agricultural Education Program completers are not required to take the Praxis II Specialty Area Test. If the applicant already holds a valid Indiana teacher license and is adding an area to an existing license or applying for an original Rules 2002 license, no further testing is required at this time. Some school corporations require the completion of Praxis II in order to align with the Highly Qualified Teacher mandate. For more information about the Highly Qualified Teachers, please visit http://www.doe.in.gov/hqt/

HOW LONG does the application process take:
The entire application process (from the time the application is submitted online or received by the Office of Professional Preparation and Licensure until the time the license is received) may take from two to eight weeks. Once the testing (if required) and all coursework is completed, as well as the grades and/or degree posted to the Purdue transcript, the Office of Professional Preparation and Licensure will recommend the individual to the Office of Educator Licensing and Development for a teaching license. Processing at the state level may take two to six weeks. The license will be sent directly to the applicant. Reminder: If the applicant is applying online, the copy of the front and back sides of the signed CPR certificate or card must be on file at the Office of Professional Preparation and Licensure prior to the teacher license recommendation.

HOW to apply for out-of-state licensure:
It is highly recommended that the program completer apply for the Indiana license immediately upon graduation, even if leaving the State of Indiana. By securing the Indiana license, additional coursework, testing, and/or other requirements due to future licensing changes may be avoided. Obtaining an Indiana license will make it easier to apply for a license in another state. Indiana has reciprocity with 42 other states. Refer to the Out-of-State Licensure Directory.

CONTACT the Office of Professional Preparation and Licensure at licensure@purdue.edu or 765-494-5486 if you have questions.