Education Staff Associate (ESA)

In Washington, certain specialists who serve in the K-12 schools are certified as Educational Staff Associates (ESAs). The list below contains full and limited Educational Staff Associate (ESA) certificates.

School Counselor

The Residency ESA Certificate is the first tier full certificate issued in the state of Washington for this role. The Professional ESA Certificate is the second tier full certificate issued in the state of Washington for this role. Select this to learn more about these certifications.

School Psychologist

The Residency ESA Certificate is the first tier full certificate issued in the state of Washington for this role. The Professional ESA Certificate is the second tier full certificate issued in the state of Washington State for this role. Select this to learn more about these certifications.

School Nurse

The Initial ESA Certificate is the first tier full certificate issued in the state Washington for this role. The Continuing ESA Certificate is the second tier full certificate issued in the state of Washington for this role. Select this to learn more about these certifications.

School Social Worker

An Initial ESA Certificate is the first tier full certificate issued in the state of Washington for this role. Select this to learn more about this certification.

School Occupational Therapist

The Initial ESA Certificate is the first tier full certificate issued in the state of Washington for this role. The Continuing ESA Certificate is the second tier full certificate issued in the state of Washington for this role. Select this to learn more about these certifications.

School Physical Therapist

The Initial ESA Certificate is the first tier full certificate issued in the state of Washington for this role. The Continuing ESA Certificate is the second tier full certificate issued in the state of Washington for this role. Select this to learn more about these certifications.

School Speech Language Pathologist/Audiologist

The Initial ESA Certificate is the first tier full certificate issued in the state of Washington for this role. The Continuing ESA Certificate is the second tier full certificate issued in the state of Washington for this role. Select this to learn more about these certifications.

Substitute ESA

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

Conditional ESA

(School Counselor, School Psychologist, School Social Worker, School Nurse and Speech Language Pathologist or Audiologist)

Select this if you are working with a Washington employer wanting to hire you for one of the above ESA roles and you do not currently meet full certification requirements for the ESA role.

If an educator meets requirements for a full ESA certificate for the role, they might not qualify for limited ESA certificates. If you have a question regarding qualifications for these certificates, please contact the Certification Office. Limited ESA certificates must be initiated by a state of Washington employer on behalf of the educator who is not eligible for full certification in the requested ESA role.