Investigations FAQ

OSPI investigates complaints about certificated educators in Washington state. School district superintendents, educational service district superintendents, and private school administrators must submit a written complaint to OSPI when they believe there has been a violation of the Code of Professional Conduct. OSPI investigators review the allegations, gather information and evidence (such as written materials, documents, and testimony), and present the case to an administrator for a decision on how it will be resolved.

This page answers common questions about the investigations process, including what OSPI can investigate, how complaints are submitted, what happens during an investigation, and possible outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can the Office of Professional Practice (OPP) investigate?

OPP can investigate anyone who holds a current Washington education certificate. This includes educators such as teachers, principals, counselors, and others, whether they are currently working or not.

School district superintendents may also be investigated if they hold a certificate, but certification is not required for the superintendent position.

What if the school district superintendent doesn’t respond to my complaint?

If you are not able to resolve your concerns at the school or district level, you can contact the Office of Education Ombuds for help.

As a final option, you may also send a written complaint to the Educational Service District (ESD) superintendent. In your letter, include your concerns and ask for an investigation.

Can an educator go and teach in another state if OPP has disciplined the educator?

The ability to teach in another state depends on the outcome of the disciplinary action. If an educator receives a reprimand, their certificate is still valid, and they may continue to teach in Washington or in other states. If their certificate is suspended, revoked, or voluntarily surrendered, they cannot teach in Washington This information is shared nationwide through a database used by all states. Each state then decides whether to take any action on certificates they have issued.

What can happen as a result of an OPP case?

OPP cases can end in several different ways:

• Dismissal means no action is taken.
• Reprimand means the educator keeps their certificate but is formally warned not to repeat the behavior.
• Suspension means the educator’s certificate is not valid for a set period of time and may have requirements before it can be reinstated.
• Revocation means the educator loses their certificate. To get it back, they must show they meet the standards for good moral character and personal fitness.
• Voluntary surrender means the educator chooses to give up their certificate by submitting a surrender form to OPP.

What are the educator’s appeal rights?

If disciplinary action is proposed, an educator can appeal the decision. The first appeal is to OSPI’s Informal Review Committee, which includes teachers, administrators, and education staff associates.

If the educator still disagrees with the outcome, they can appeal to an Administrative Law Judge. In some cases, the decision can also be appealed to Superior Court.

Who can find out if an educator has been investigated?

Information about OPP investigations is available through a Public Disclosure request.

How long does discipline action stay on an educator’s record?

Disciplinary action always remains on an educator’s record. While the action itself may come to an end, the action cannot be expunged from the record.