Endorsements & Certificate Upgrades

Educators applying for the first time can review information and resources on adding endorsements, while those holding existing Washington certificates may add endorsements or covert or upgrade their certificates by meeting current standards; the page sections outline the requirements and next steps for each process.

Endorsements and Testing

Adding an Endorsement

Select this for information on adding endorsements through tests, programs and tests, out-of-state certification and tests, National Boards, and Migration.

Adding a CTE Vocational Code (VCODE)

Select this for information on requirements to add a VCODE. 

Teacher Assessments

Select this for information about accepted out-of-state tests and Washington state basic skills and content knowledge area tests.

Convert vs. Upgrade Guidance

Upgrade if ONE of the following applies:

• You hold a valid certificate issued under current standards and have met the requirements to upgrade
• You hold an expired certificate issued under previous standards and qualify to upgrade 
• You are National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certified
• You hold or have held a second-tier certificate from an approved state (Reciprocity Information)
• You completed the Washington ProTeach Portfolio

Convert if BOTH apply for your role:

Teacher and Administrator 

• You hold or have held a Initial certificate issued under previous standards
• You do not qualify to upgrade that certificate to the second-tier certificate

CTE Teacher or Director

• You hold or have held a CTE Occupational Information Specialist (OIS) or CTE Counselor certificate
• Meet additional requirements as needed (please review the information below) 

ESA

• You hold or have held an Initial certificate issued under previous standards
• Meet additional requirements as needed (please review the information below) 

Convert and Upgrade Options

Classroom Teacher

• Convert-Initial to Residency
• Upgrade-Initial to Continuing
• Upgrade-Residency to Professional

CTE Teacher or Director

• Convert-CTE Occupational Information Specialist (OIS) or Counselor to Initial CTE Career Guidance Specialist
• Upgrade-Initial to Continuing CTE Teacher
• Upgrade-Initial to Continuing CTE Career Guidance Specialist
• Upgrade-Initial to Continuing CTE Director

Administrator

• Convert-Initial to Residency Administrator
• Upgrade-Initial Principal or Program Administrator to Professional Administrator
• Upgrade-Initial to Professional Superintendent
• Upgrade-Residency to Professional Administrator

Educational Staff Associate

• Convert-Initial to Residency
• Upgrade-Initial to Professional
• Upgrade-Residency to Professional