Teacher

This page explains how to apply for your first Teacher certificate in Washington state. It covers both the Residency (First Issue) and Professional Teacher certificates, who qualifies for each, and the requirements you must meet.

Washington Offers Two Types of Teacher Certificates

• Residency (First Issue) certificate is the first-tier, full credential for new teachers.
• 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.

Residency Teacher (First Issue)

In-State Applicant

This application is for educators who have completed all of their program requirements through a Washington state-approved teacher preparation program and have been recommended for their Residency (FI) certificate by the institution.

Institution Approval Required

 You will NOT be able to apply for this certificate until your institution initiates it. 

Requirements Verified by Program

• Complete a bachelor's degree or higher
• Complete a Washington state–approved teacher preparation program
• Complete a basic skills test and a content area test
  • Meet dual endorsement requirements for Bilingual Education, English Language Learner, and/or Science
• Submit fingerprints for a background check if you do not already have a valid Washington certificate on record

Additional Certification May Be Available

Your institution may also recommend you for a Substitute certificate. Contact the Professional Certification Department if you have questions about this certificate.

Out-of-State Applicant

This application is for educators who have completed an out-of-state teacher preparation program through an accredited institution or who hold or have held a full teaching certificate in another state with at least three years of out-of-state or out-of-country teaching experience.

Requirements

• Complete of a bachelor's degree or higher (must submit official transcripts showing degree conferral)
• Complete of one of the options below:
  • Option 1: Complete any state's approved teacher preparation program through an accredited institution
    • Traditional preparation program (4020E-Program Completion Verification)
    • OR
    • An approved alternate route program (4020E-1-Alternative Program Completion Verification)
      • The preparation programs must include a defined course of study and a supervised student teaching/internship
  • Option 2: Submit a copy of a full, regular teaching certificate issued by another state (valid or expired) and three years of out-of-state teaching experience (4020F-1-Experience Verification)
• Complete a basic skills test (WEST-B or approved alternative)
• Must pass a content area test for endorsement sought (WEST-E/NES or approved alternative)
  • Teacher Testing Assessments
  • Dual Endorsement Requirements for Bilingual Education, English Language Learner, and/or General Science
• Submit fingerprints for a background check if you do not already have a valid Washington certificate on record

Professional Teacher

The Professional Teacher application is for educators who hold or have held a second-tier certificate from an approved state, are National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certified, or have completed the Washington ProTeach Portfolio.

Requirements

• Must meet all Residency certificate requirements above
• Completion of one of the following options:
  • Option 1: Complete an advanced-level certification from another state that has been approved by Washington's Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) as comparable to Washington's standards (review reciprocity Information) 
  • Option 2: Hold a certificate issued by the National Boards
  • Option 3: Complete the Washington ProTeach Portfolio
• Attest that you completed a course or coursework on issues of abuse and emotional or behavioral distress in students
  • You may enter this requirement in your E-Certification account under Clock Hours or submit Issues of Abuse Course Verification 4020G form
• Submit fingerprints for a background check if you do not already have a valid Washington certificate on record