Substitute & Limited Certificates

A Washington state employer must initiate Limited Teaching certificates on behalf of the educator (Pre-Residency certificate is exempt). Review the limited and emergency certificate types below to find the right application based on your current status.

Eligibility Restriction

If an educator is eligible to hold a full teaching certificate, they DO NOT qualify for some of the limited certificates.

Student Teaching (Pre-Residency) Clearance

Select this if you are enrolled in an educator preparation program.

Substitute

Select this if you hold or have held a full Washington Teacher, Administrator, or Educational Staff Associate certificate, or if you are requested under an emergency or intern substitute certificate issued by a school district.

Conditional

Select this option if you are working with a Washington employer who wants to hire you, but you do not currently meet the full certification requirements for a Teacher, CTE Educator, Administrator, or Educational Staff Associate role.

Transitional

Select this if you hold a full, regular Teacher, CTE Educator, Administrator, or Educational Staff Associate certificate subject to renewal that has lapsed and do not currently meet the requirements to renew your certificate.