Library director certification renewal
Additional information can be found in the Public Librarian Certification section at https://dpi.wi.gov/libraries/public-libraries/governance-administration/directors. The application form, CE activity report, and annual CE summations form can be found on this page as well.
The Certification Manual was updated in October 2024. Please review the manual to ensure you are complying with the latest requirements.
Summary of steps to renew your certification:
Step 1 – Maintain continuing education records throughout the year.
Fill out a CE (Continuing Education) Activity Report after you attend each qualifying CE activity. Save the CE Activity Reports in your files throughout the year because you will need to submit them to the NFLS Director along with your Annual Summations.
All Grade certifications must have 100 hours in the five year period prior to recertification (at least 10 hours of the 100 hours must be technology-related training). More information regarding what counts for CE, can be found in the Certification manual. Conferences count as 6 hours of CE per day.
Beginning in 2025, CE may now be credited in fractions of an hour. Additionally, Category C continuing education activities must be pre-approved. DPI has provided a form to submit to the NFLS Director when seeking pre-approval.
Step 2: Complete annual summation of CE activities forms every year.
Each year by February 15, compile all of your CE Activity Reports onto an Annual Summation of Continuing Education Activities form. Send both the CE Activity Reports and Summations to the NFLS Director for verification. The director will validate your Summation and send the original Annual Summation and CE Reports back to you. You will need to keep the original Annual Summation in your files to submit with your application to renew your certification.
It is recommended that Annual Summations be filled out every year but this is not required. When applying for recertification, you will need to ensure that you submit your Annual Summation Forms well in advance of the deadline to ensure that the director has enough time to validate and return the forms to you.
Step 3: Complete application and renewal form.
During the month of expiration of your Certificate you will need to fill out the Public Librarian Certification and Renewal Application. Note: The same form is used for first-time and renewal applicants.
Complete the following Sections:
Compile the supporting documents necessary for certification along with your application.
Step 4: Submit your application ELECTRONICALLY:
Payment and physical copies are no longer required. Applicants should no longer mail items to DPI. Any applications received will be destroyed.
If you have any specific questions, please don’t hesitate to contact NFLS.
The Certification Manual was updated in October 2024. Please review the manual to ensure you are complying with the latest requirements.
Summary of steps to renew your certification:
Step 1 – Maintain continuing education records throughout the year.
Fill out a CE (Continuing Education) Activity Report after you attend each qualifying CE activity. Save the CE Activity Reports in your files throughout the year because you will need to submit them to the NFLS Director along with your Annual Summations.
All Grade certifications must have 100 hours in the five year period prior to recertification (at least 10 hours of the 100 hours must be technology-related training). More information regarding what counts for CE, can be found in the Certification manual. Conferences count as 6 hours of CE per day.
Beginning in 2025, CE may now be credited in fractions of an hour. Additionally, Category C continuing education activities must be pre-approved. DPI has provided a form to submit to the NFLS Director when seeking pre-approval.
Step 2: Complete annual summation of CE activities forms every year.
Each year by February 15, compile all of your CE Activity Reports onto an Annual Summation of Continuing Education Activities form. Send both the CE Activity Reports and Summations to the NFLS Director for verification. The director will validate your Summation and send the original Annual Summation and CE Reports back to you. You will need to keep the original Annual Summation in your files to submit with your application to renew your certification.
It is recommended that Annual Summations be filled out every year but this is not required. When applying for recertification, you will need to ensure that you submit your Annual Summation Forms well in advance of the deadline to ensure that the director has enough time to validate and return the forms to you.
Step 3: Complete application and renewal form.
During the month of expiration of your Certificate you will need to fill out the Public Librarian Certification and Renewal Application. Note: The same form is used for first-time and renewal applicants.
Complete the following Sections:
- Section I: General - Complete with your information
- Section II: Type of Certification - Check boxes for:
- Grade I, II, or III (whichever is applicable), and "Renewal of Regular."
- Include expiration date of current certification (mm/yy).
- Section III: Enclosures - Check boxes for:
- Renewal of Regular Certification section - Validated Annual Summations of Continuing Education Activities
- Section IV: Signature - Sign and date
Compile the supporting documents necessary for certification along with your application.
Step 4: Submit your application ELECTRONICALLY:
- Scan and save each document as an individual PDF document (ex: one PDF for the application, one PDF for the summations (all pages). Please submit PDFs, not JPEGs, if possible.
- Email the application and your verified Annual Summations to [email protected] and [email protected]. (Note: DPI does NOT need copies of your CE Activity Reports.)
Payment and physical copies are no longer required. Applicants should no longer mail items to DPI. Any applications received will be destroyed.
If you have any specific questions, please don’t hesitate to contact NFLS.
