SF3625
Educator licensing and standards provisions modifications and appropriation
Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026)
Related bill: HF3638
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill updates Minnesota’s approach to educator licensing and school staff credentials. It creates new rules for a statewide paraprofessional credential, changes how teachers can be licensed (through a tiered system), expands professional development focused on mental health, adds data sharing to improve teacher preparation programs, and strengthens background checks. It also allocates funding for information technology costs related to these changes.
Main changes and what they aim to accomplish
Paraprofessional credential
- Creates a statewide credential for paraprofessionals who assist licensed teachers.
- Paraprofessionals who earn this credential or who meet a state-approved local assessment are considered highly qualified under federal law.
- Local assessments must be evaluated against criteria that include knowledge of reading, writing, and math and the ability to help teach those subjects.
- The public must have access to the criteria and how they’re used.
Training for paraprofessionals
- Rules may include training in student characteristics, teaching and learning environments, academic instruction skills, student behavior, and ethics.
Licensure rulemaking and scope
- The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) will adopt rules to implement these provisions.
- Rules will define what fields and grade levels a licensed teacher may teach and how cross-field teaching can work without changing a teacher’s license.
- Rules must avoid conflicts with existing laws and should explain expected effects on teacher supply and demand.
Tiered teaching licenses (Tier 1–Tier 4)
- Establishes several license levels with specific renewal and training requirements.
- Tier 1: Initial one-year license with renewals possible if certain conditions are met (e.g., job posting but no hire, passing a content exam, completing cultural competency training, and mental health training). Some exemptions exist for certain subjects like career and technical education (CTE).
- Tier 2: Initial two-year license with renewals that require ongoing cultural competency and mental health training, plus literacy-related progress for renewal.
- Both tiers include limits on how many times a license can be renewed unless good cause is shown, with certain shortage areas or CTE roles having different rules.
- Beginning July 1, 2027, several teaching roles (e.g., early childhood, elementary and special education teachers responsible for reading instruction, ESL, and other specified literacy-related roles) must show progress toward evidence-based literacy training for later renewals.
- By design, the plan emphasizes literacy support and ongoing professional growth.
Literacy training requirements
- Starting in 2027, specific licensed roles must demonstrate progress toward evidence-based literacy training as part of licensure renewal.
Mental health training requirements
- Renewal rules require at least one hour of suicide prevention training and at least five hours of professional development on student mental health and wellness per renewal cycle.
- Training should be based on nationally recognized, evidence-based programs.
- Over time, topics expand to include trauma, accommodations for mental illness, and other related areas. This does not authorize teachers to diagnose or treat mental illness.
Data sharing for program improvement
- Creates data sharing agreements among PELS B, the Board of School Administrators, and the Department of Education.
- Data at the E12 level may be shared to support program approval and improvement for teacher preparation and education administration programs.
- The shared data may include licensed and nonlicensed staff data, but only limited or summary data and for specific purposes (e.g., program improvement, funding management).
- Privacy protections apply; data sharing is limited to what is necessary for stated purposes.
Background checks
- Requires criminal history background studies for all first-time educator and administrator license applicants.
- Applicants must provide fingerprints and pay for the background check; funds go to the licensing board.
- The boards may coordinate with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and the FBI for records, and may obtain background data through the Department of Human Services as needed.
Information technology costs
- Provides a one-time appropriation to cover information technology costs related to these changes, with a deadline for use.
Significant changes to existing law
- Introduces a statewide credential for paraprofessionals and ties eligibility for “highly qualified” status to this credential or state-approved local assessments.
- Establishes a formal, multi-tier licensing system for teachers (Tier 1–Tier 4) with specific renewal and literacy/mental health training requirements.
- Expands mandatory professional development to include mental health and suicide prevention topics, with progressively deeper topics over time.
- Tightens data sharing between licensing, school administration, and education departments to improve teacher preparation programs and program approvals, while adding privacy safeguards.
- Broadens background check procedures for new educators and administrators, including fingerprints and cross-agency data access.
- Allocates funding for information technology related to these modifications.
Implementation and timeline notes
- Literacy training requirements become effective for certain licenses starting July 1, 2027.
- The information technology funding is a one-time allocation tied to implementing these changes.
Who is affected
- Prospective and current teachers and paraprofessionals
- School districts and charter schools
- University and college programs that prepare future educators
- State education agencies and boards (PELSB, Board of School Administrators, Department of Education)
Practical implications to watch
- More structured path and accountability for paraprofessionals and teachers through credentialing and tiered licensure.
- Increased emphasis on reading/literacy instruction and mental health training as part of licensure renewal.
- Schools may need to adjust hiring practices and professional development plans to meet renewal requirements.
- Districts and educator preparation programs will engage in data sharing to help improve programs, with attention to privacy and data use.
Relevant Terms - Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) - Paraprofessional credential - Highly qualified (federal law) - Local assessments - Reading, writing, and math - Tier 1 license - Tier 2 license - Tier 3 license - Tier 4 license - Cultural competency training - Mental illness health training - Suicide prevention training - Evidence-based literacy training - E12 data - Program approval - Education administration programs - Data sharing agreement - Licensed and nonlicensed staff data - Background studies - Criminal history - Fingerprints - Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) - Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) - Information technology costs - Shortage areas - Career and technical education (CTE) - Reading instruction requirements - Teacher supply and demand - Districts and charter schools - Education preparation programs - Data privacy and summary data
If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to a specific audience (students, parents, or educators) or condense it further into a one‑page overview.
Past committee meetings
- Education Policy on: February 18, 2026 12:30
- Judiciary and Public Safety on: March 19, 2026 09:00
- State and Local Government on: March 05, 2026 12:30
- State and Local Government on: March 27, 2026 10:00
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 17, 2026 | Senate | Action | Introduction and first reading | ||
| February 17, 2026 | Senate | Action | Referred to | Education Policy | |
| February 23, 2026 | Senate | Action | Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to | State and Local Government | |
| March 04, 2026 | Senate | Action | Withdrawn and re-referred to | Judiciary and Public Safety | |
| March 23, 2026 | Senate | Action | Comm report: To pass and re-referred to | State and Local Government |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Rulemaking to implement a statewide paraprofessional credential.",
"Qualitative criteria for approving local assessments of paraprofessionals."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amends 120B.363 to create a statewide credential for education paraprofessionals and to establish criteria for local assessments; paraprofessionals with the credential are considered highly qualified under federal law.",
"modified": [
"Provides new criteria and process related to paraprofessional credentials and local assessments; ties credential to federal definitions of 'highly qualified'."
]
},
"citation": "120B.363 subdivision 1",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Training provisions covering students with characteristics, teaching and learning environment, academic instruction skills, student behavior, and ethical practices."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Adds training considerations in implementing the paraprofessional credential framework.",
"modified": [
"Expands training topics as part of rulemaking for paraprofessional credentialing."
]
},
"citation": "120B.363 subdivision 2",
"subdivision": "subdivision 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Rules relating to licensure fields and grade levels; process to permit teaching in a field different from licensure without changing the license tier."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Authorizes the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) to adopt rules to implement multiple licensure provisions and related rulemaking.",
"modified": [
"Directive to the board to implement a broad set of licensure-related sections through rules."
]
},
"citation": "122A.09 subdivision 9",
"subdivision": "subdivision 9"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Criminal history background studies; fingerprint requirements; funding into the board's special revenue account; exchange of fingerprints with the FBI."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Requires criminal history background checks for first-time educator and administrator license applicants; establishes fingerprinting and funding mechanism.",
"modified": [
"Mandates background checks and related processes for licensure."
]
},
"citation": "122A.18 subdivision 8",
"subdivision": "subdivision 8"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Requirements including district cooperation, background checks, and state-approved teacher preparation program (or equivalent)."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Sets criteria for issuing a Tier 2 license; includes required background checks and program prerequisites.",
"modified": [
"Defines conditional eligibility and prerequisites for Tier 2 licensure."
]
},
"citation": "122A.182 subdivision 1",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Renewal requirement of at least one hour of suicide prevention training and five hours of professional development in student mental health and wellness per renewal period."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Imposes mental illness health training requirements as part of renewal for licensed teachers.",
"modified": [
"Specifies content areas for ongoing mental health-related professional development."
]
},
"citation": "122A.187 subdivision 6",
"subdivision": "subdivision 6"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Establishment of multiple licensure tiers and associated data sharing agreements."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Adds authority and framework for licensing tiers (Tier 1–Tier 4) and related data sharing across boards and departments.",
"modified": [
"Expands data sharing and program approval processes for educator preparation and license management."
]
},
"citation": "122A.18 subdivision 1",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Conditions for renewal including posting of vacancies, examination results, cultural competency training, and mental illness health training."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Adjusts term and renewal provisions for Tier 1 licenses; outlines renewal conditions.",
"modified": [
"Specifies renewal criteria and timelines for Tier 1 licenses."
]
},
"citation": "122A.181 subdivision 3",
"subdivision": "subdivision 3"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Renewal cadence and training requirements for Tier 2 licenses; progress toward literacy training goals."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Adjusts term and renewal provisions for Tier 2 licenses; includes cultural competency and mental illness training requirements.",
"modified": [
"Outlines renewal conditions and training expectations for Tier 2 licensure."
]
},
"citation": "122A.182 subdivision 3",
"subdivision": "subdivision 3"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References to 124D.72 within rulemaking scope; part of the broader licensure and education administration framework.",
"modified": [
"Incorporates 124D.72 within the rulemaking authority described for education administration and licensure."
]
},
"citation": "124D.72",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Requires the board to include a proposed rules' probable effect on teacher supply and demand in its statement of need and reasonableness.",
"modified": [
"Explicit cross-reference to the rulemaking requirements under section 14.131."
]
},
"citation": "14.131",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Mechanism to obtain background study data via 245C.031 as part of teacher licensure background procedures."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Authorizes obtaining background study data through the commissioner of human services for licensure background checks.",
"modified": [
"Expands pipelines for background data to support licensure processes."
]
},
"citation": "245C.031",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Cultural competency training and mental illness health training requirements for renewal."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Encompasses cultural competency training and mental health-related training requirements tied to licensure renewals.",
"modified": [
"Integrates targeted training into licensure renewal obligations."
]
},
"citation": "120B.30 subdivision 8",
"subdivision": "subdivision 8"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Requirement to demonstrate progress toward completing literacy training requirements for second licensure renewal."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Tie-in of evidence-based literacy training requirements to Tier 1 license renewal.",
"modified": [
"Adds literacy training progress as a renewal condition."
]
},
"citation": "120B.123 subdivision 5a",
"subdivision": "subdivision 5a"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Refers to definitions, including shortage areas, within licensure provisions.",
"modified": [
"Incorporates reference to shortage area definitions within licensure amendments."
]
},
"citation": "122A.06 subdivision 6",
"subdivision": "subdivision 6"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Content areas including suicide prevention, mental health, trauma, and related best practices."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Governs mental health and wellness training requirements tied to licensure renewal and related procedures.",
"modified": [
"Details renewal training standards in the mental health domain."
]
},
"citation": "125A.0942",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Authorization to share private data subject to data sharing agreements among licensure and education entities."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Data privacy provisions governing sharing of private data under data sharing agreements.",
"modified": [
"Defines privacy boundaries for data sharing in the educator licensing ecosystem."
]
},
"citation": "13.02 subdivision 12",
"subdivision": "subdivision 12"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Constraints on what constitutes educational data within the data sharing framework.",
"modified": [
"Distinguishes educational data from private data in data sharing agreements."
]
},
"citation": "13.32 subdivision 1",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Allows the use of summary data derived from educational data for program and funding management."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines summary data for use in data sharing while excluding specific educational data.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies what data may be shared in data sharing agreements."
]
},
"citation": "13.02 subdivision 19",
"subdivision": "subdivision 19"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Rulemaking to implement a broad set of licensure provisions spanning multiple sections.",
"modified": [
"Aggregate reference to licensure-related provisions across 122A.05 through 122A.09."
]
},
"citation": "122A.05 to 122A.09",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Involves licensure provisions and related rulemaking referenced in the bill.",
"modified": [
"Incorporates cross-reference to additional licensure provisions (122A.092)."
]
},
"citation": "122A.092",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Part of the licensure framework being updated by the bill.",
"modified": [
"Updates to licensure framework include 122A.16."
]
},
"citation": "122A.16",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Part of the licensure framework being updated by the bill.",
"modified": [
"Updates to licensure framework include 122A.17."
]
},
"citation": "122A.17",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Foundation for professional educator licensing, tied to tiered licenses (1–4).",
"modified": [
"Broad licensure framework and related competencies referenced (beyond subdivision 8)."
]
},
"citation": "122A.18",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Tier 1 license-related renewal and examination requirements referenced in the bill.",
"modified": [
"Interacts with Tier 1 renewal and literacy/competency requirements."
]
},
"citation": "122A.181",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Tier 2 license framework and renewal provisions referenced in the bill.",
"modified": [
"Details on Tier 2 renewal and training expectations."
]
},
"citation": "122A.182",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Part of the licensure provisions being amended/implemented by the bill.",
"modified": [
"Licensure scope across additional fields or grade levels."
]
},
"citation": "122A.183",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Part of the licensure provisions being amended/implemented by the bill.",
"modified": [
"Licensure scope and rules for additional teaching areas."
]
},
"citation": "122A.184",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Part of the licensure provisions being amended/implemented by the bill.",
"modified": [
"Enhancements to licensure processes and requirements."
]
},
"citation": "122A.185",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Mental illness health training and related renewal requirements tied to licensure.",
"modified": [
"Broadens mental health training requirements for renewals."
]
},
"citation": "122A.187",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Part of the licensure framework being amended/implemented by the bill.",
"modified": [
"Additional licensure provisions incorporated."
]
},
"citation": "122A.188",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Part of the licensure provisions being amended/implemented by the bill.",
"modified": [
"Broadened licensure scope across education roles."
]
},
"citation": "122A.19",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Part of the licensure provisions being amended/implemented by the bill.",
"modified": [
"Additional licensure requirements and processes."
]
},
"citation": "122A.20",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Part of the licensure provisions being amended/implemented by the bill.",
"modified": [
"Expanded licensure provisions and compliance requirements."
]
},
"citation": "122A.21",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Part of the licensure provisions being amended/implemented by the bill.",
"modified": [
"Additional licensure rules and program alignment."
]
},
"citation": "122A.23",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Part of the licensure provisions being amended/implemented by the bill.",
"modified": [
"Policy and procedural changes to licensure processes."
]
},
"citation": "122A.26",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Part of the licensure provisions being amended/implemented by the bill.",
"modified": [
"Further licensure provisions and administrative processes."
]
},
"citation": "122A.28",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Part of the licensure provisions being amended/implemented by the bill.",
"modified": [
"Additional licensure and workforce preparation provisions."
]
},
"citation": "122A.29",
"subdivision": ""
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee