Dual Endorsement Requirements

Teachers who apply for the Bilingual Education, English Language Learner (ELL), or Science endorsements must also earn a second endorsement. If you complete a Washington state preparation program or have an out-of-state certificate, you must meet the PESB Dual Endorsement Policy to receive your Washington teacher certificate. Out-of-state educators may receive a one-year permit while working to give them time to complete the second endorsement requirement.

Dual Endorsements

• Bilingual Education
• English Language Learner (ELL)
  • Please Note: For these endorsements, the second endorsement obtained cannot be Bilingual Education, ELL, or Traffic Safety.
• Science
  • Please Note: Only educators who hold an endorsement in Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, or Physics will be eligible to add the Science endorsement.

In-State Program Completer Process

To meet the dual endorsement requirement, in-state candidates must complete ONE of the options below:

• Option 1: Be recommended for two or more endorsement areas by their program
• Option 2: Be recommended for one of the above endorsement areas by their program and pass additional content area tests.

Out-of-State Program Completer Process

To meet the dual endorsement requirement, out-of-state candidates must complete ONE of the options below: 

• Option 1: Hold an out-of-state certificate with one of the eligible endorsements, apply for certification, and pass additional Washington content area tests while teaching on a permit.
• Option 2: Hold an out-of-state certificate with one of the eligible endorsements, apply for certification, and complete a program while teaching on a permit.

Permit Extension

If the PESB Dual Endorsement Requirements have not been met prior to the expiration of the first permit, a second 12-month permit will be issued if all other necessary testing requirements have been met. The dual endorsement requirement must be met prior to the expiration of the second permit. Additional permits will not be issued beyond the second 12-month permit.