2026 data Minnesota board official source

Minnesota Elementary School Teacher License Requirements

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

Instructs students in grades K-6. Requires state teaching certificate.

What the Minnesota data shows for Elementary School Teachers

Becoming a licensed elementary school teacher in Minnesota means clearing a defined set of hurdles: board-approved training, a passing score on State Teaching Certification Exam (Praxis or equivalent), plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Minnesota regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree in Education".

The initial price tag is $111, and renewal costs $75 every 5 years. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 150 hours of continuing education are due every 5-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

For elementary school teachers, the reciprocity picture is: State-specific — NASDTEC agreements between some states.

Licensing Ease Score

C
Licensing Ease Score
57/100
Elementary School Teacher · Minnesota

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training N/A
N/A
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$111
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A+
$15/yr
$75 every 5 years
Continuing Education F
30.0 hrs/yr
150 hours every 5 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Minnesota

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree in Education
Not specified
Exam Requirement
State Teaching Certification Exam (Praxis or equivalent)
Required
Initial License Fee
$111
Renewal Fee
$75
Renewal Cycle
Every 5 years
Continuing Education
150 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Minnesota licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Elementary School Teacher in Minnesota?
Minnesota requires, passing an exam (State Teaching Certification Exam (Praxis or equivalent)), and an initial fee of $111. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as an Elementary School Teacher in Minnesota?
Minnesota licenses elementary school teachers who complete its requirements and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Minnesota licensing board.
Can I transfer my Elementary School Teacher license to Minnesota from another state?
For elementary school teachers, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: State-specific — NASDTEC agreements between some states. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Minnesota licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Minnesota require a background check for Elementary School Teacher licensing?
Background screening is part of the elementary school teacher licensing process in Minnesota. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Elementary School Teacher in Minnesota?
Licensed elementary school teachers in Minnesota must complete 150 hours of continuing education every 5 years. The renewal fee is $75.

What to do with this elementary school teacher license

Elementary School Teacher in Minnesota, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in an elementary school teacher-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Minnesota's elementary school teacher requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Elementary School Teacher in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state elementary school teacher license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Minnesota's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Minnesota overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Minnesota licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.