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

Introduction

The Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) is a state agency dedicated to ensuring the quality of education in Minnesota through the licensing of educators and setting professional standards. Located in the heart of St. Paul, the capital city of Minnesota, PELSB plays a crucial role in upholding the state's commitment to excellence in education. This article provides a comprehensive overview of PELSB, its services, location, unique features, practical information, and insights from reviews.

Main Services

• Educator Licensing: PELSB is responsible for licensing all Minnesota public school educators. They offer various licenses, including Initial, Lifelong, and Limited licenses, catering to different stages of an educator's career.
• Licensing Exams: The board administers licensing exams, such as the Minnesota Teacher Licensure Exams (MTLE) and the Minnesota Teaching License Assessments (MTLA), to ensure educators meet the required standards.
• Educator Preparation Programs: PELSB approves and monitors educator preparation programs offered by colleges and universities in Minnesota to ensure they meet the board's standards and prepare graduates for licensure.
• Professional Development: The board provides ongoing professional development opportunities for educators to maintain and enhance their licensure and stay current with best practices in education.
• Discipline and Reinstatement: PELSB investigates allegations of misconduct against licensed educators, imposes disciplinary actions when necessary, and oversees the reinstatement process for educators who have had their licenses revoked or suspended.

Location and Access

PELSB is situated at 1021 Bandana Blvd E, Suite 222, St. Paul, MN 55108, United States. The office is conveniently located in the Midway neighborhood, close to Highway 35E and Interstate 94, making it easily accessible by car. Public transportation is also an option, with several bus routes serving the area.

For those using the light rail system, the closest station is the Midway Station on the Green Line, which is about a 15-minute walk from the PELSB office. The station provides connections to various bus routes that can take you closer to the office.

Parking is available at the office, with a wheelchair-accessible car park on-site. Additionally, there is ample street parking nearby, with no permit required.

Featured Characteristics

• Wheelchair Accessibility: PELSB is committed to providing an inclusive environment. The office is wheelchair-accessible, with a ramp leading to the entrance and an elevator providing access to all floors. Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are also available.
• Secure Document Storage and Retrieval: PELSB maintains secure, confidential records for all licensed educators in Minnesota. Educators can access their records online through the board's secure portal, myPELSB.
• Customer Service Counter: The office features a customer service counter where visitors can obtain assistance with licensing questions, application processes, and other inquiries.Staff are available to help with licensing questions, application processes, and other inquiries.

Practical Information

• Office Hours: The PELSB office is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. However, it is recommended to call ahead or check the website for any updates to the office hours, as they may be subject to change.
• Phone Number: You can reach PELSB by phone at 651-539-4200. The phone line is open during regular office hours.
• Website: The official website for PELSB is mn.gov/pelsb. The website provides a wealth of information on licensing, exams, preparation programs, and professional development opportunities.
• Mailing Address: For correspondence, you can use the mailing address: Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, 1021 Bandana Blvd E, Suite 222, St. Paul, MN 55108, United States.

Positive Aspects from Reviews

PELSB has received 14 reviews on Google My Business, with an average rating of 2.9 out of 5. While the overall rating is modest, several positive aspects can be highlighted from the reviews:

• Several reviewers praised the helpfulness and professionalism of the staff, noting that they were always willing to assist with questions and provide clear guidance on licensing processes.
• A few reviewers commended the board's online services, particularly the myPELSB portal, for making the licensing process more convenient and efficient.
• Some reviewers appreciated the ease of accessing the office, with one reviewer mentioning the abundance of parking and another highlighting the convenient location near public transportation.

While the average rating may not be exceptionally high, the positive aspects mentioned in the reviews demonstrate that PELSB is meeting many of its stakeholders' needs and is committed to continuous improvement.

👍 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.