Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board - St Paul, Minnesota

Welcome to a comprehensive guide on the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB), a vital state government office responsible for overseeing the licensing and professional standards of educators in Minnesota. Located in the heart of St. Paul, the capital of Minnesota, PELSB plays a pivotal role in ensuring the quality of education in the state by regulating and supporting the teaching profession.

• Educator Licensing: PELSB manages the licensing process for all educators in Minnesota, including teachers, principals, and other school professionals. They issue, renew, and reinstate licenses, as well as handle license upgrades and reciprocity for out-of-state educators.
• Professional Standards: The board sets and enforces professional standards for educators, ensuring they meet the high-quality teaching benchmarks set by the state. This includes monitoring educators' compliance with ethical standards and addressing misconduct allegations.
• Program Approval: PELSB oversees the approval and oversight of educator preparation programs offered by institutions of higher education in Minnesota. They ensure these programs meet the state's rigorous quality standards.
• Data Collection and Reporting: The board collects and reports data on educator preparation, licensing, and employment. This data helps inform policymaking, track trends, and monitor the educator workforce in Minnesota.

PELSB is situated at 1021 Bandana Blvd E, Suite 222, St. Paul, MN 55108, in the city's Midway neighborhood, close to the intersection of Interstate 94 and MN-13. The office is easily accessible by car, with ample wheelchair-accessible parking available on-site. Public transportation is also an option, with the nearest bus stop served by Metro Transit's routes 3, 64, and 876.

The PELSB office is designed with accessibility and functionality in mind. Key features include:

• Wheelchair-accessible entrance and toilet facilities to ensure all visitors can access the office.
• An elevator for easy access to the second-floor office suite.
• On-site parking, with designated accessible spaces.
• Business hours from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, to accommodate visitors during standard work hours.

To contact PELSB, you can call their main line at 651-539-4200 or use their toll-free number for out-of-state callers at 1-866-296-2981. The office can also be reached via email at [email protected]. For the most up-to-date information on PELSB's services and resources, visit their official website at mn.gov/pelsb.

With an average rating of 2.9/5 from 14 reviews on Google My Business, PELSB receives praise for several aspects of its service:

• Responsiveness: Several reviewers commend PELSB's staff for their prompt responses to inquiries and efficient processing of license-related requests.
• Clear Communication: Some reviewers appreciate the board's clear and concise communication, making the licensing process less daunting.
• Knowledgeable Staff: A few reviewers mention that the staff at PELSB are knowledgeable and helpful in guiding them through the licensing process.

👍 Reviews of Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board

M B.

1/5

Very difficult to work with, but I imagine who your assigned representative is makes a huge difference. Mine seemed to relish the opportunity to drag out the process and be confrontational.

Nicole K.

1/5

Called a couple of times during their extremely limited times that their call line for licnese questions was open. Was on hold for over 10 minutes before a real person answered only to be immediately transfered to a voice mail box before I could even speak. Once again, this was during the limited hours I was told to call to get my questions about my application answered. My question is literally a yes or no question as well, not complicated at all but its like pulling teeth to get ahold of anyone. I have also emailed and received no responses. Maybe leaving a voice-mail is the magic solution but I highly doubt it. Extremely unhelpful organization.

Marcus E.

5/5

I recently went through the steps for obtaining a short-call substitute teaching license. The friendly and helpful staff made the process easy.

Ann M.

1/5

If I could give negative stars, I would. On-going issue for over a year. Received a rude note that I had used "an incredibly out of date form" that is still the first thing that comes up when I Google search to voluntarily remove one of my licenses.

Melissa B.

1/5

I thought I did a short call substitute teacher license back in 2005 and when I had them check, they said “no”. So I had to reach out and find my teacher that I worked with during student teaching (after 19 years)! and have her write a letter of recommendation, plus get my transcript and fingerprints done, and other paperwork that didn’t need to be done. I don’t remember, but I renewed my license in 2021 and the woman who put in my married name in the system spelled it wrong and that’s why no one could find me in the system!! I sent them all my paperwork to get my tier 3 license and a month later, they can’t find the paperwork!?

Basileus

1/5

Some of the least helpful people I've encountered. They seemed so put off to answer any questions which made the process more unpleasant.

Kelsie K.

1/5

Traveled all the way here to talk to someone through a doorbell (during business hours) just to be told to put all my paperwork in a drop box. Not sure why I wasn’t allowed to speak to anyone if they were open. Then a few weeks later was issued the wrong license, even though all required signed paperwork was included.

Kyle S.

4/5

Very helpful and kind on the phone. Their hours are a bit inconvenient though.