Certification FAQs

This page displays frequently asked questions for specific roles and certificate types.

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General

How do I obtain the official copy of my certificate?

Official certificates are available online through your E-Certification profile. Once you log into E-Certification, please select "My Credentials." Under the certificate list, you will see a "View" button on the left. Selecting this will give you the official copy of your current certificate.

How can I obtain a fingerprint card?

You can contact us at Professional Certification with your mailing address, and we will be happy to send you the fingerprint card package. For additional information please visit the OSPI Fingerprints & Background Checks site. 

I have questions about my certificate, but I don't know my certificate number. How can I find out information about my certificate?

Contact Professional Certification by email or phone (360-725-6400) with your complete legal name and date of birth, and any other names under which you may have been certified. We can provide you with information about your certificate.

What does 'accredited' mean?

An accredited institution of higher education means a community college, college, or university that is a candidate for accreditation or is accredited by an accrediting association recognized by the Washington Student Achievement Council and the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.

My certificate will expire this June. How do I renew it?

Before your certificate expires, log your completed 100 clock hours (or credit equivalent) and/or up to four annual Professional Growth Plans in your E-Certification profile under clock hours. For more information, visit the Certificate Reissue & Renewal and How to Apply for a Certificate pages.

My certificate has expired. How can I reinstate it?

To reinstate your certificate, you must complete 100 clock hours (or credit equivalent) and/or up to four annual Professional Growth Plans within the five years before you apply. Apply through E-Certification. For more information, visit the Certificate Reissue & Renewal and How to Apply for a Certificate pages.

What is the application fee?

Application and processing fees vary based on certificate type. Review the Professional Certification Fee Schedule for a list of certificates and their associated costs. 

Teacher

I have a bachelor's degree in another area, but I'm really interested in teaching. What would I have to do to obtain a teaching certificate?

Washington requires teachers to have at least a bachelor’s degree and complete a state-approved teacher preparation program.

Since you already have a bachelor’s degree, you can enroll in a “certification-only” program or a master’s program. You can find information about programs in Washington, including Traditional and Alternative Route certification options.

I'm a certified teacher from another state. How can I obtain a Washington certificate?

There are two main types of teacher certification in Washington state for first-time educators: The Residency Teacher (First Issue) certificate and the Professional Teacher certificate.

  • The Residency (First Issue) certificate is the first-tier, full credential for new teachers.
  • The Professional certificate is a second-tier, full credential for educators who hold a comparable advanced certificate from another state, have National Board certification, or have completed Washington’s ProTeach Portfolio.

For more information and specific requirements, visit the Teacher-Residency and Professional and How to Apply for a Certificate pages.

Where can I find information about registering for the West-B and West-E/NES tests?

Visit the Washington Educator Skills Tests website.

Do you accept any tests other than the West-B or West-E/NES?

There are multiple tests that are accepted in lieu of the West-B and West-E/NES. See Teacher Assessments for more information.

I have an expired Initial certificate. What do I need to do to update my certification?

If your Initial certificate expired prior to September 1, 2000, your next step is to convert to the Residency certificate. That certificate will carry the same endorsements as your Initial certificate. 

For more information and specific requirements, visit the Endorsements & Certificate Upgrades and How to Apply for a Certificate pages.

I have a renewed Initial teaching certificate that will expire in June and want to apply for the Continuing certificate. What do I need to do?

You will need to meet requirements for the Continuing certificate and submit your application prior to the expiration of your renewed Initial certificate.

For more information and specific requirements, visit the Endorsements & Certificate Upgrades and How to Apply for a Certificate pages.

I'm applying for my first Washington certificate. Should I apply for the Residency or Professional certificate?

You should apply for the residency certificate unless you meet the requirements for a Professional certificate.

  • The Residency (First Issue) certificate is the first-tier, full credential for new teachers.
  • The Professional certificate is a second-tier, full credential for educators who hold a comparable advanced certificate from another state (Reciprocity Information), have National Board certification, or have completed Washington’s ProTeach Portfolio.

For more information and specific requirements, visit the Teacher-Residency and Professional and How to Apply for a Certificate pages.

My residency certificate says 'Residency FI' or 'Residency PS' and has no expiration date. What do I need to do to keep my certificate current?

Certificates do not have an expiration date until the individual is employed. For those working in a Washington public school district, the expiration date is based on experience reported by the district to OSPI in the annual S275 report.

Process:

  • Individuals employed by a Washington public school district must have their residency certificate reissued with a defined expiration date.
  • Individuals working in nonpublic schools may choose to complete professional certificate requirements and have their certificate reissued with a defined expiration date. This decision is up to the individual or their employer.

Once reissued, the certificate is valid for five years. For more information and how to apply, visit the Educator Certificate Reissuance and How to Apply for a Certificate pages.

I'm going to retire after many years of teaching in Washington, but I would still like to substitute teach. Where would I find an application for a substitute certificate?

For more information and specific requirements, visit the Substitute Certificates and How to Apply for a Certificate pages.

How can I find out information about CTE (Vocational) certification?

For information and specific requirements, visit the First-Time Certification page.

How can I add an endorsement to my certificate?

There are several ways to add an endorsement. For information and specific requirements, visit the Adding an Endorsement page.

However, it might be best to contact us via email or at 360-725-6400 so we can provide information appropriate to your situation.

I'm interested in substitute teaching, but I don't have an education background. Is there any way I can substitute teach?

A regular substitute certificate has the same requirements as a regular teaching certificate: a bachelor’s degree and a state-approved teacher preparation program.

An emergency substitute certificate does not require a teacher preparation program, but it must be requested by a hiring school district.

For more information and specific requirements, visit the Substitute Certificates page.

Career and Technical Educator

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Administrator

I'm certified administrator from another state. How can I obtain a Washington certificate?

There are two main types of principal or program administrator certifications in Washington state: The Residency (First Issue) certificate and the Professional certificate. 

  • The Residency (First Issue) certificate is the first-tier, full credential for new administrators.
  • The Professional certificate is a second-tier, full credential for principals or program administrators who hold a valid Initial certificate in the Superintendent role. 

For more information and specific requirements, visit the Principal or Program Administrator-Residency and Professional and How to Apply for a Certificate pages.

Is testing required for the administrative certificate?

No, testing is not required, but the principal and program administrator roles are separate in Washington state. An educator must have completed a program for either role or have the appropriate experience to apply for one or both.

  • Principal role is for school-level leadership as a principal, assistant principal, or vice-principal
  • Program Administrator role is for district-level leadership roles other than superintendent or assistant superintendent roles, e.g., director-level positions. The state of Washington does not require this certificate for employment in a program administrator role.
I have an expired Initial principal's certificate. What do I need to do to update my certification?

Since your Initial principal's certificate has expired, you will need to convert to the Residency certificate.

For more information and specific requirements, visit the Endorsements & Certificate Upgrades and How to Apply for a Certificate.

My Residency Principal certificate says, 'Residency FI' and has no expiration date. What do I need to do to keep my certificate current?

You do not need to take any action on your certificate until you have worked as a principal, assistant principal, or vice principal in Washington for two years.

After two years, apply to have your certificate reissued; the new certificate will expire five years from the end of your second year in the role.

For more information and how to apply, visit the Educator Certificate Reissuance and How to Apply for a Certificate pages.

ESA

I'm certified in another state. How can I obtain a Washington certificate?

There are two main types of school counselor and school psychologist Educational Staff Associate (ESA) certifications in Washington state. The Residency (First Issue) certificate and the Professional certificate. 

  • The Residency ESA (First Issue) certificate is the first-tier, full credential for new ESAs.
  • The Professional ESA certificate is a second-tier, full credential for school counselors or school psychologists who meet all the requirements for a Residency certificate and have a National Board certification in their role. 

There are two main types of Educational Staff Associate (ESA) certifications in Washington state for the school behavior analyst, school nurse, school occupational therapist, school orientation and mobility specialist, school physical therapist, school social worker, or school speech-language pathologist or audiologist roles: the Initial certificate and the Professional certificate. 

  • The Initial certificate is the first-tier, full credential for new ESAs.
  • The Professional certificate is a second-tier, full credential for ESAs who hold or held an Initial or Residency ESA certificate for the roles listed above and have completed the requisite schooling and work experience to upgrade their certificate.

For more information and specific requirements, visit the Educational Staff Associate (ESA)-Residency and Professional, Educational Staff Associate (ESA)-Initial and Professional, and How to Apply for a Certificate pages.

I'm a nurse who wants to work in the schools. How do I get certified?

If you have a bachelor’s degree or higher in nursing and a valid Washington State registered nurse license from the Department of Health, you can apply for the Initial ESA school nurse certificate.

You may need to meet additional requirements. A temporary permit may be issued based on your degree and license while you complete any remaining requirements.

For more information and how to apply, visit the Educational Staff Associate (ESA)-Initial and Professional and How to Apply for a Certificate pages.

I'm a nurse with a valid license, but I don't have a bachelor's degree in nursing. How do I get certified?

Nurses who have a valid Washington State registered nurse license but do not have a bachelor’s degree in nursing may qualify for a conditional school nurse certificate. A school district must request the certificate, and the candidate must submit a complete Conditional certificate application.

For more information, visit the Conditional Certificates page.

I'm a nurse, occupational therapist, or physical therapist with a Limited Permit from the Washington State Department of Health. Must I wait for my actual license before I can apply for certification?

A valid license is required to issue an Educational Staff Associate (ESA) certificate. However, a temporary ESA permit may be issued pending the valid license if the appropriate degree requirements are met. 

For more information and how to apply, visit the Educational Staff Associate (ESA)-Initial and Professional and How to Apply for a Certificate pages.

I applied for an Initial Educational Staff Associate (ESA) certificate as a school behavior analyst, school nurse, school occupational therapist, school physical therapist, school social worker, school speech language pathologist or audiologist, or school orientation and mobility specialist, and have been issued a temporary permit pending completion of the required ESA course. My permit will expire before I can complete the course. What should I do?

Permits are not usually extended. In rare circumstances, a short extension may be granted if you are enrolled in the next available ESA course.

To request an extension, contact the Professional Certification Department in writing.

Your request must include:

  • Proof that you are registered for the next available ESA course
  • A district rush request confirming your employment and need
How do I know if my program is state-approved for Washington Educational Staff Associate (ESA) certification?

If you completed your program outside of Washington, check with the institution to confirm the program was state-approved when you finished it.

Washington accepts out-of-state programs that were state-approved for certification or licensure to work in PK–12 schools.

I hold an ESA Certificate. Am I required to complete a suicide prevention course to earn, renew, or upgrade my ESA Certificate?

Only ESA school nurses, school counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers are required to complete a suicide prevention course to earn, renew, or upgrade the certificate.

For more information, visit the PESB Suicide Prevention Training page. 

I'm applying for a certificate in school speech-language pathology or audiology. Is a valid license from the Department of Health required for Educational Staff Associate (ESA) certification?

No, a license is not required for school speech language pathologist or audiologist certification. It may be a requirement for employment, however, so we encourage candidates to check with their employer.

I hold a Residency Educational Staff Associate (ESA) certificate for a school counselor, school psychologist, or school social worker that does not show an expiration date. What do I need to do to keep my certificate current?

If you are a school counselor or school psychologist, you do not need to take any action on your certificate until you have worked in Washington for two years in the role (the experience can be full- or part-time employment).

After two years, apply to have your certificate reissued; the new certificate will expire five years from the end of your second year in the role.

If you are a school social worker, you may apply for reissuance or convert to the initial ESA certificate.

For more information and how to apply, visit the Educator Certificate Reissuance, Endorsements & Certificate Upgrades, and How to Apply for a Certificate pages.

My Residency Educational Staff Associate (ESA) school counselor or school psychologist certificate has already been reissued. What is my next step?

You may:

I'm a nationally certified school counselor or school psychologist. How do I obtain the Professional Educational Staff Associate (ESA) school psychologist certificate?

You may apply for the Professional ESA certificate by submitting a complete application. Be sure to include a copy of your valid NBSC or NCSP certificate.

For more information and how to apply, visit the Educational Staff Associate (ESA)-Residency and Professional and How to Apply for a Certificate pages.

 Paraeducator

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