Transitional Certificate

This certificate is for educators working with an employer to fill a need and whose full, regular Teacher, Career and Technical Education (CTE), Administrator, and Educational Staff Associate (ESA) certificate, which is subject to renewal, has lapsed.

This certificate allows educators to teach while renewing their certificate. It is valid for two calendar years (24 months from the issue date) and can only be issued once in an educator's career.

Requirements

• Must hold a full, regular certificate subject to renewal that has lapsed or expired
  • Please Note: If an educator holds multiple Teacher, ESA, or Administrator certificates, they may qualify for a Transitional certificate for each role.
• Application initiated by an employing school district and completed by the educator. Once the district request has been submitted, log in to your E-Certification account to apply.
• Submission of fingerprints for a background check is required if a valid Washington certificate is not already on record at the time of application submission.

Requirements for Certificates Issued Under Previous Standards

If you have an expired Initial certificate listed below issued under previous standards and did not upgrade to a Continuing or convert to a Residency or Professional certificate, you must first convert the expired Initial certificate to a Residency certificate before you can apply for the Transitional certificate. Click the links below to review the conversion requirements. 

• Initial Teacher
• Initial Administrator-Principal
• Initial ESA School Counselor
• Initial ESA School Psychologist