CTE Program Director Admin License
A Minnesota Local Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program Director (000110; known in Rule as the Local Vocational Program Director, i.e., LVPD) is authorized to provide leadership and administration for secondary CTE programs across all service areas, including Agriculture, Business, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health/Human Services & Education, Trade & Industry, and Work-Based Learning. The CTE Program Director ensures high-quality, equitable programming that prepares youth for meaningful careers and strengthens Minnesota’s workforce and economy.
There are hundreds of districts and regional centers in Minnesota operating approved CTE programs that require licensed CTE Program Directors to oversee program design, implementation, and compliance. The CTE Program Director license is essential for maintaining state and federal CTE accountability, including oversight of programs funded under the federal Perkins V Act and state Career and Technical Education statutes (Minnesota Statutes 124D.34–124D.505).
CTE Program Directors provide vision and coordination for career pathways, manage budgets and reporting, ensure alignment with state standards, support teachers and advisory committees, and build partnerships between schools, industry, and postsecondary institutions. This leadership role connects classroom instruction to career readiness and economic development across Minnesota’s secondary education system.
Duties of the Position: Local Career and Technical Education Program Director
About the License
The Local Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program Director license (000110) is a Minnesota administrative license for individuals responsible for directing, managing, and coordinating secondary CTE programs. This license is issued by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) and allows for professionals to act as administrators who oversee CTE staffing, budgets, and program compliance at the district or regional level.
Applicants typically already hold a valid Minnesota teaching license in a CTE area and have experience in administration, supervision, or coordination of CTE programs. Licensure requires demonstration of competencies in areas such as school finance, public relations and communications, school law, program planning and development, leadership and personnel management, and the Minnesota educational system.
Minnesota Association of Career and Technical Administrators (MACTA) oversees the peer review process that verifies these competencies for PELSB. After earning the initial two-year entrance license, directors complete a peer review and professional development plan before applying for the first five-year continuing license.
Licensure Requirements
To qualify for the Minnesota Local Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program Director license (000110), applicants must meet the following requirements outlined in Minnesota Administrative Rule 3517.0110:
- Hold a valid Minnesota teaching license in a Career and Technical Education field.
- Have at least three years of CTE teaching, supervision, or administration experience, with two of those years spent teaching under a CTE license.
- Hold a bachelor’s or graduate degree in CTE.
- Completed coursework in areas such as philosophy of CTE.
- Demonstrate proficiency in the Minnesota educational system and at least three of the following seven competency areas prior to entrance licensure: school finance, public relations, communications, school law, program planning, leadership and personnel management, and Minnesota education systems.
Program Required Standards
The Local Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program Director license is based on demonstration of professional competencies rather than completion of coursework. Each applicant documents evidence of experience and proficiency in the seven required competency areas identified in Minnesota Administrative Rule 3517.0110.
These competencies reflect the core responsibilities of a CTE Program Director and include leadership, program planning, and understanding of the Minnesota educational system. Applicants complete and submit evidence through the peer review process coordinated by the Minnesota Association of Career and Technical Administrators (MACTA). The peer review team evaluates the applicant’s documentation, verifies proficiency, and may recommend additional professional development if needed before PELSB issues or renews the license.
Step One – Initial Two-Year Entrance License
Applicants begin by applying to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) for the initial two-year entrance license as a Local Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program Director (000110). This license authorizes an individual to serve as a CTE Program Director while completing all required competencies and the peer review process leading to the first five-year continuing license.
To qualify, applicants must:
– Hold a valid Minnesota teaching license in a CTE field.
– Have at least three years of vocational education experience, with two of those years spent teaching under a CTE license.
– Hold a bachelor’s or graduate degree in vocational, industrial, or technical education or a related area.
– Have completed coursework in the philosophy of vocational education and human relations.
– Demonstrate initial proficiency in at least three of the seven required competency areas: school finance, public relations, communications, school law, leadership and personnel management, program planning and development, and Minnesota education systems.
Once the two-year entrance license is issued, the individual may begin serving as a CTE Program Director and preparing for peer review.
Step Two – Preparation for Peer Review
During the first year of the two-year entrance license, the applicant will prepare for the peer review process led by the Minnesota Association of Career and Technical Administrators (MACTA). The peer review confirms the applicant’s readiness for the first five-year continuing license.
The applicant will begin by completing two forms: Form A: Activity Sheet and Form B: Employment and Experience History. These documents outline the applicant’s work experience, professional development, and any coursework that demonstrates proficiency in each competency area. The applicant will gather supporting materials such as certificates, documentation of program budgets or initiatives, or records of leadership experience.
The applicant will submit both forms and all supporting evidence to their assigned Peer Review Team at least two weeks before their scheduled review meeting. The documentation must clearly show how the applicant meets the seven required competency areas.
Step Three – Peer Review Evaluation
Once the applicant’s materials are submitted, they will participate in a scheduled peer review meeting. During the meeting, the applicant will discuss their experiences and explain how their evidence demonstrates the competencies required for the CTE Program Director license.
After the meeting, the applicant will receive a completed Form C: Recommendation of the Peer Review Team, which includes feedback and any recommended professional development activities. The applicant should keep this form for their records and submit it to PELSB when they apply for their first five-year continuing license.
Step Four – First Five-Year Continuing License
After completing the applicant’s peer review and receiving a positive recommendation, they may apply to the PELSB for their first five-year continuing license as a Local Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program Director (000110).
To qualify, the applicant must:
– Complete at least one year of licensed service as a CTE Program Director under their initial two-year entrance license.
– Demonstrate proficiency in all seven required competency areas, as verified through the peer review process.
– Submit their Form C: Recommendation of the Peer Review Team along with their renewal application to PELSB.
If the peer review identifies additional areas for growth, the applicant will have up to one year to complete the recommended professional development before applying for the five-year continuing license. Once issued, the continuing license remains valid for five years and may be renewed with verification of ongoing professional learning and administrative development.