Emergency Substitute Certificate

Certificate Information

Overview: The Emergency Substitute certificate may be issued at the request of a public school superintendent and authorizes the holder to substitute only in the district that verifies an emergency employment situation exists. An individual holding only an Emergency Substitute Certificate shall not be assigned a contract teaching position and shall be limited to 120 days of substitute teaching in the same school each school year.  Requirements for certification are fully referenced in the Arizona Revised Statutes and State Board of Education Rules. 

Submit all of the following:

  • Application: A completed Application for Certification. 
  • Fee: The required fee is $60. Payment may be made with a Visa or MasterCard through the ADE Educator Portal or at the Certification Customer Service Counter. If applying through the mail, submit a check or money order made out to "ADE". Per Board rule, fees are nonrefundable. 
  • District or Charter School Request: A completed "Request for Issuance of Emergency Substitute Certificate (ESC)" signed by the District or Charter School Superintendent where you will be substituting. 
  • AZDPS IVP Card: A valid Arizona DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card
  • Official Transcript or Other Documentation: Official transcript(s) or other appropriate documentation to meet the requirements for Initial Issuance or Re-Issuance, as indicated.

The requirements for initial issuance of the Emergency Substitute Certificate are:

  • A Request for Emergency Substitute Certificate (ESC) signed by a district or charter school superintendent who verifies an emergency employment situation exists. 

-AND-

  • Proof of a high school diploma, General Education Diploma (GED), or Associate degree. Submit one of the following: 
    • Option 1: A copy of your high school diploma; or
    • Option 2: A copy of your GED certificate; or
    • Option 3: An official transcript documenting high school graduation; or
    • Option 4: An official transcript documenting an associate degree from an accredited college or university.

The requirements for re-issuance are:

  • A Request for Emergency Substitute Certificate (ESC) signed by a district or charter school superintendent who verifies an emergency employment situation exists. 

-AND-

  • One of the following:
    • Option 1: Official transcript(s) documenting two semester hours of academic courses from an accredited college or university completed since the last issuance of the Emergency Substitute Certificate. 
    • Option 2: Verification from the district or charter school superintendent or personnel director that you have completed at least 30 clock hours of in-service training since the last issuance of the Emergency Substitute Certificate; or
    • Option 3: Official transcript(s) from an accredited college or university documenting that you have earned 30 or more semester hours of college credit.

Documents Requiring Submission by the Verifying Authority

  • Official Transcripts: Transcripts that are uploaded through the educator portal or emailed by the applicant are not official and will not be accepted. Official transcripts and foreign credential evaluations must be submitted as follows:
    • Electronic official transcripts must be submitted directly by the college or university to [email protected] or through Parchment.
    • Paper official transcripts must be in a sealed envelope and mailed by the college or university to:
      Arizona Department of Education - Certification Unit
      PO Box 6490 
      Phoenix, AZ  85005-6490.
    • Foreign credential evaluations must be sent directly by the approved foreign credential evaluation agency to [email protected] or mailed to the Arizona Department of Education - Certification Unit.

Accepted Photocopies from the Applicant

Photocopies of the documents below are accepted. If you are applying through the ADE Educator Portal, please save the copy as a PDF and upload it with your application. 

  • The "Request for Emergency Substitute Certificate (ESC)" signed by the District/Charter School Superintendent.
  • The Arizona DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance card (plastic). 
  • Your high school diploma or GED Certificate. 
  • Verification of in-service training from the superintendent or personnel director. 

    Ready to apply - click here for step-by-step directions

    Pursuant to section 41-1093.01, Arizona Revised Statutes, an agency shall limit all occupational regulations to regulations that are demonstrated to be necessary to specifically fulfill a public health, safety, or welfare concern. Pursuant to sections 41-1093.02 and 41-1093.03, Arizona Revised Statutes, you have the right to petition this agency to repeal or modify the occupational regulation or bring an action in a court of general jurisdiction to challenge the occupational regulation and to ensure compliance with section 41-1093.01, Arizona Revised Statutes