Common Questions About Teacher Licensure at UNI

How Do I Know What to Take at UNI to be Recommended for an Initial Iowa Teaching License?

To be recommended for an Iowa teaching license by the University of Northern Iowa, applicants must complete all requirements of the state approved teacher education program. The options for completing an approved program at UNI are:

Bachelor of Arts Degree - Teaching Program:
- Declare teaching major
- Complete required coursework as listed on advisement report
- Complete Teacher Education Program requirements
- Complete BA Degree - Teaching Program requirements
Post BA Second Bachelor of Arts Degree - Teaching Program:
- Declare teaching major
- Requires evaluation* of all previous coursework, whether completed at UNI or other institution(s). All official transcripts from other institutions must be sent to the UNI Office of Admissions. Only transcripts sent from another institution directly to the UNI Office of Admissions are official.
- Complete required coursework as listed on advisement report
- Complete Teacher Education Program requirements
- Complete BA Degree - Teaching Program requirements
Post BA Teacher Licensure Program:
- Requires evaluation* of all previous coursework, whether completed at UNI or other institution(s). All official transcripts from other institutions must be sent to the UNI Office of Admissions. Only transcripts sent from another institution directly to the UNI Office of Admissions are official.
- Complete required coursework as listed on advisement report
- Complete Teacher Education Program requirements
- Must include at least 12 hours of course work taken at UNI

*Evaluations are done by a Record Analyst in the Office of the Registrar. You should contact the appropriate Record Analyst based on the subject area for which you want to obtain licensure.

What are the additional requirements for recommendation of my IA License after I complete my approved program?

UNI Recommendation for Teacher Licensure:

Upon completion of an approved program/conferring of the BA Degree in teaching, UNI will recommend a first time applicant to the Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE) for an Iowa teaching license if all of the following are satisfied:

1. Student has applied for their teaching license directly through the BOEE Salesforce system.

2. Student has no Notifications of Concerns regarding professional competencies

An applicant with a Notification of Concern cannot be recommended for a teaching license. For questions regarding this, please contact the College of Education Advising and Teacher Education Success (CATS) Office.

3. Student has completed the High Risk Behaviors (HRB) Certificate.

For all questions regarding this requirement, please contact the College of Education Advising and Teacher Education Success (CATS) Office.

*PRAXIS II exam scores were required for all teacher candidates who graduated or completed a teaching licensure program from a college/university teacher education program between January 2013 and June 2022. Any questions regarding this should be directed to the College of Education Advising and Teacher Education Success (CATS) Office (319-273-2265)

What Type of License Should I Apply For?

First-time applicants for an Iowa teaching license are eligible for either the Initial Educator License or the Substitute License. Most first-time applicants should apply for the Initial Educator License.

Specific information regarding requirements for and the renewal of Iowa teaching licenses can be found on the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners website.

Should I Apply for My Iowa License Upon Completion of My BA Degree/Teacher Licensure Program?

It is strongly recommended that you apply for an Iowa teaching license upon completion of your approved program, even if you do not intend to teach in Iowa. Application for and receipt of an Iowa license validates completion of UNI's current approved program, which is on file and accredited by the Iowa Department of Education. If you do not receive your Iowa teaching license upon completion of your approved program, as programs or licensure requirements change, you may eventually become ineligible for the initial Iowa license. It is easier to renew a license than to meet a new set of program requirements. It also may be a benefit to hold a valid Iowa license when applying for licensure in another state.

How Will I Receive My Teaching License?

For applicants who have applied for an Iowa teaching license, recommendations for an initial Iowa license will be submitted by the UNI Office of the Registrar through the BOEE Salesforce system. The BOEE no longer prints and mails licenses. The BOEE website provides information for accessing and printing a license. When the license is processed, students will receive an email directly from the BOEE with a link to their license.

How Do I Apply for an Out-of-State Teaching License?

Practitioners who are contemplating teaching in a state other than Iowa will need to apply for licensure in that specific state. Information and application forms for applying for a teaching license in a specific state can usually be found on the state's website.

Out-of-state licensure/certification applications may contain a section that requires an institutional recommendation to be signed by the “Registrar, Dean, or Certification Official”. UNI is the "Recommending Institution" that grants an institutional recommendation for applicants who have completed UNI's state approved teacher education program. Out-of-state applications that require an institutional recommendation should be submitted to the following for processing:

Department of Teaching
153 Schindler Education Center
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0006
bibiana.julin@uni.edu