First-Time Certification

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This page provides guidance for educators applying for certification in Washington for the first time. Certification pathways are based on your role and how you completed your preparation program, including in-state, out-of-state, and international pathways.

The sections below outline certification options for teachers, career and technical educators (CTE), administrators, educational staff associates (ESAs), paraeducators, and special categories. Review the role-specific pages for detailed requirements and application steps.

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Teacher Roles

If you are currently completing a program, please check with the certification officer at your institution to make certain the appropriate steps have been completed before applying for the Classroom Teacher or Student Teaching certificate.

Classroom Teacher

Select this option if any one of the following applies to you:

  • Completed a teacher preparation program in Washington or any other state.

  • Hold or previously held a full teaching certificate in another state and have at least three years of teaching experience outside Washington.

  • Held a second-tier certificate from an approved state. 

  • Are certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).

Student Teacher (Pre-Residency) Clearance

Select this if you are currently enrolled in a teacher preparation program and are starting student teaching.

Military-Affiliated Applicants

Select this if you are a military-affiliated personnel or spouse and have had a Permanent Change of Station.

Internationally Trained Teacher

Select this if you completed your degree(s) and/or a teacher preparation program at an institution in a country outside of the United States.

First Peoples' Language, Culture and Oral Traditions

Standard certificate you may apply for if you have completed a sovereign tribal government’s language/culture teacher certification program.

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CTE Teacher and Director

CTE Teacher

Select this option if any one of the following apply to you:

  • You are completing a CTE Plan 1 (University Route) program.
  • You are completing a CTE Plan 2 (Business and Industry Route) program and meet the required experience.
  • You hold or previously held an Initial CTE certificate and meet the requirements to upgrade your certificate.

CTE Career Guidance Specialist

Select this if you hold or have held a one-, three-, or five-year CTE Occupational Information Specialist or Counselor certificate.

CTE Director

Select this for CTE Director certification information.

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Administrator

If you are currently completing a program, please check with the certification officer at your institution to make certain the appropriate steps have been completed before applying for any of the following certificates.

Principal or Program Administrator

Select this option if any one of the following apply to you:

  • You completed an administrator preparation program.
  • You hold or previously held a full administrator certificate in another state and have at least three years of experience in that role outside Washington.
  • You completed a Continuing Administrator License (CAL) program in Oregon.

Superintendent

Select this option if any one of the following apply to you:

  • You completed an administrator preparation program for the superintendent role.
  • You are applying for your first Superintendent certificate in Washington.
  • You hold a valid Initial Superintendent certificate and meet the requirements to upgrade your certificate.

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Educational Staff Associate (ESA)

School Counselor or School Psychologist ESA

The Residency ESA certificate is the first-tier full certificate, and the Professional ESA certificate is the second-tier full certificate issued in the state of Washington for the roles below. Select the ESA role to learn more about the certification.

If you have completed a Washington state program for the school counselor or school psychologist role, you must check with your institution for the next steps in your application process.

Other ESA Roles

The Initial ESA certificate is the first-tier full certificate, and the Professional ESA certificate is the second-tier full certificate issued in the state of Washington for the roles below.

  • School Behavior Analyst
  • School Nurse
  • School Occupational Therapist
  • School Orientation and Mobility Specialist
  • School Physical Therapist
  • School Social Worker
  • School Speech Language Pathologist/Audiologist

Internationally Trained ESA

Select this if you completed your degree(s) and/or a preparation program specific to serving in the ESA role in PK–12 schools (ages birth to eighteen years) through an institution outside of the United States.

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Paraeducator

Select this if you have completed the Fundamental Course of Study and additional required professional development for first-time paraeducator certification, or if you are a paraeducator who is currently working toward meeting requirements for the Subject Matter or Advanced Paraeducator certification.

  • General
  • English Language Learner Subject Matter
  • Special Education Subject Matter
  • Advanced

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Substitute and Limited Educator

Substitute Teacher

Select this if you have completed all your state of Washington program requirements and have been recommended for certification by your institution.

Intern Substitute Teacher

Select this if you are student teaching and your employer needs you to substitute for your mentor teacher in their absence.

Emergency Substitute Teacher

Select this if you are student teaching and your employer needs you to substitute for your mentor teacher in their absence.

Substitute Administrator

Select this if you have completed your state of Washington administrator program requirements and have been recommended for certification by your institution.

Substitute ESA

This certificate is available to applicants who meet full certification requirements for the specific ESA roles.

Conditional Teacher

Select this if you are working with an employer that wants to employ you based on experience and expertise, but you do not qualify for a full teaching certificate.

Conditional CTE Teacher

Select this if you are working with a state of Washington school district or skill center that wants to hire you for a position based upon your experience and expertise in a specific specialty area. 

Conditional Administrator (Principals Only)

Select this if you are working with a Washington employer and have completed a bachelor's degree but have not yet completed your principal preparation program and master's degree. 

Conditional ESA

Select this option if both of the following apply to you:

  • A Washington employer wants to hire you as a School Behavior Analyst, School Counselor, School Nurse, School Psychologist, School Social Worker, or School Speech-Language Pathologist or Audiologist.
  • You do not currently meet the requirements for full certification.

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