Adding an Endorsement

EDS System

E-Certification System Information

E-Certification Login | EDS

Questions?

Submit a question to OSPI.

Scholarships are available for adding endorsements in shortage areas.
For more information, see retooling Teacher Programs.

This information does NOT apply to CTE certificates or specialty area endorsements.

Test ONLY

Test Only - Must pass a WEST-E/NES test for the desired endorsement. Tests from other states cannot be used to add endorsements. The endorsements eligible to be added through testing only are as follows:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Choral Music
  • Computer Science
  • Dance
  • Earth & Space Science
  • English Language Arts
  • General Music
  • History
  • Instrumental Music
  • Mathematics
  • Middle Level Humanities
  • Middle Level Mathematics
  • Middle Level Science
  • Physics
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Theatre Arts
  • Visual Arts
  • World Languages*

Bilingual Education Note: Educators who hold ELL may add Bilingual Education via Test Only. In addition to successfully completing the Bilingual Education WEST-E test, applicants must also complete one of the following assessments:

  1. ACTFL: The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) and the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in a world language (other than English), scoring Advanced-Low or higher. Please visit the ACTFL Language Testing International site for more information. 
    OR
  2. Avant STAMP 4S and 3S scoring 7 or higher on all sections. Please visit the Global Seal of Biliteracy STAMP 4S/3S Testing page for more information. 
    OR
  3. Avant STAMP WS scoring 7 or higher on both parts. Please visit the Global Seal of Biliteracy STAMP WS Testing page for more information. 
    OR
  4. ALTA Speaking/Listening and Writing Assessment with an ILR score of 2 or higher. Please visit the Global Seal of Biliteracy ALTA Testing page for more information. 

English Language Learners (ELL) Note: Educators who hold Bilingual Education may add ELL via Test Only. 

Middle Level Humanities Note: Educators that hold a Social Studies endorsement or have taken and passed the WEST-E Social Studies exam may use those in lieu of Middle Level Humanities subtest II. Educators who hold a NBPTS Certificate in ELA: early adolescence (11-15) and ELA: adolescence and young adulthood (14-18+) are exempt from the Middle Level Humanities subtest I. Educators who hold a NBPTS Certificate in Social studies and history: early adolescence (11-15) and social studies and history: adolescence and young adulthood (14-18+) are exempt from the Middle Level Humanities subtest II.

Science Note: Educators must hold Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, or Physics before adding the General Science endorsement via Test Only.

World Languages Note*: In addition to the designated world languages WEST-E test above, applicants must complete the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) and Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in the specific world language, scoring Advanced-Low or higher. Please visit ACTFL at Language Testing International.

In addition to the designated world languages WEST-E test above, the specific languages below may have further and/or optional testing requirements:

  • World Languages Arabic Note: In addition to the designated world language WEST-E test, applicants for Arabic must complete one of the following: 
    • ACTFL: The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) and the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in Arabic, scoring Advanced-Low or higher. Please visit the ACTFL Language Testing International site for more information. 
      OR
    • Avant APT: Arabic Proficiency Test scoring 7 or higher on all four parts. Please visit the Global Seal of Biliteracy APT Testing page for more information. 
  • World Languages American Sign Language Note: Individuals must meet one of the following: 
    • Hold American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA) Certification
      OR
    • Complete the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview Assessment (ASLPI) with a proficiency level of 3+ or above, and the designated world language WEST-E test 100. 
  • World Languages Latin Note: ACTFL does not administer tests for Latin. For the Latin world language endorsement, a candidate must take the new WEST-E: DWL and the WEST-E: Latin exam. Please visit the Language Testing International site for more information.

Process-Test Only: Complete the required testing and submit the application online through your E-Certification account. WEST-E/NES test information and registration is available online.

Program + Test

Consult with your college/university for advice on requirements. Methods, field experience/internship, and subject matter credit hour requirements* are as follows:

  • Methods course(s). Certificated teachers are required to complete related methods coursework in the desired endorsement area.
  • Field experience/internship. For at least one endorsement area, certificated teachers are required to complete a supervised practicum which includes teaching in the specific endorsement area. For additional endorsement areas, the college will determine whether to require a field experience/internship, and the extent of that internship
  • Complete appropriate content area testing. The WEST-E/NES test information and registration is available online.

View available in-state programs.

The endorsements eligible to be added through program + testing are as follows:

  • Agriculture
  • Bilingual Education*
  • Business & Marketing
  • Deaf Education
  • Deaf Education with American Sign Language (ASL) Proficiency
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Early Childhood Special Education
  • Elementary Education
  • English Language Learner*
  • Family Consumer Sciences
  • Health/Fitness
  • Library Media
  • Reading
  • Special Education
  • Technology Education
  • Traffic Safety
  • Visually Impaired

*Individuals who hold ELL or Bilingual may add the other endorsement via testing only.

Bilingual Education Note: In addition to successfully completing the Bilingual Education WEST-E test, applicants must complete one of the following assessments: 

  1. ACTFL: The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) and the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in a world language (other than English), scoring Advanced-Low or higher. Please visit the ACTFL Language Testing International site for more information. 
    OR
  2. Avant STAMP 4S and 3S scoring 7 or higher on all sections. Please visit the Global Seal of Biliteracy STAMP 4S/3S Testing page for more information. 
    OR
  3. Avant STAMP WS scoring 7 or higher on both parts. Please visit the Global Seal of Biliteracy STAMP WS Testing page for more information. 
    OR
  4. ALTA Speaking/Listening and Writing Assessment with an ILR score of 2 or higher. Please visit the Global Seal of Biliteracy ALTA Testing page for more information. 

Deaf Education Note: Applicant must complete at least one of the following: 

  1. Completion of a state-approved deaf education program and the content knowledge assessment.
    OR

  2. A Deaf education program accredited by the Council on Education of the Deaf and the content knowledge assessment.
    OR

  3. Hold National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification in the Exceptional Needs Specialist area of Deaf / hard of hearing. 
    OR

  4. Baccalaureate degree or higher in deaf education from a program approved by the Council on Education of the Deaf under RCW 28A.410.225 and the content knowledge assessment.

Deaf Education with ASL Proficiency Note: Applicant must hold or meet requirements for the deaf education endorsement and demonstrate ASL proficiency in one of the following ways:

  1. Complete the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) at 3+ or higher
    OR
  2. Hold American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA) certification (requires ASLPI at 3+ or higher). 

Process:

  • In-state program: Follow the instructions of your college/university. The college/university will submit verification of program completion to OSPI for you
  • Out-of-state program: Complete program, testing, form 1522E, and submit APPLICATION through your E-Certification account

Your out-of-state institution must complete the Institutional Verification of Endorsement Program Completion and Character (Form 1522E). You must include the completed form when you apply for the additional endorsement.

National Boards

The subject area or grade level indicated on the National Board certificate must be comparable to one of the Washington endorsement areas (See National Boards Exemption).

Process: Submit the application through your E-Certification account.

Migration

Specific endorsements may be added through migration to align previously issued endorsements with current standards. The process of migration involves aligning previously issued endorsements with current standards. This ensures that endorsements remain relevant and up to date (See migration chart).