Frequently Asked Questions About Educator Certification

Do I need a bachelor's degree?

• A bachelor's is a requirement for the majority of certificates issued by our office. The following specialized certificates may be issued without a bachelor's degree (but do have other requirements):
  • Athletic Coaching, 7-12
  • Career and Technical Education, K-12
  • Emergency Substitute
  • Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC), 9-12
  • Native American Language, PreK-12

I have three years of teaching experience how do I get a teaching certificate?

• Teaching experience does not fulfill all certification requirements for a Standard Professional Teaching certificate. Three years of teaching experience is often referenced because three years of teaching experience may be used to waive exam requirements when the teaching experience is aligned to the specific certificate sought. In addition to the exam requirements, you will need to meet the coursework requirements for the desired certificate. You may review all requirements including required coursework and exams using the links below.

Where can I find additional information about certification requirements?

• You may review the requirements for all services issued by our office using the requirements links below:
  • Requirements for Certification
  • Requirements for adding an Endorsement
  • Requirements for adding an Approved Area

Schools need you! ...and it is easy to obtain your certification!

If you have a Bachelor's degree or a high school diploma you may qualify for a Substitute Certificate or an Emergency Substitute Certificate. 

Which path is best for you?

I have a Bachelor's Degree

If you hold a Bachelor's degree this is the path for you. 

• Valid Arizona Identity Verified Prints (IVP) fingerprint clearance card.
  • Apply and receive your Arizona Identity Verified Prints (IVP) fingerprint clearance card through the Arizona Department of Public Safety. 
  • To ensure that your information is shared with the Arizona Department of Education, be sure to check "State Board of Education (Teacher or Other Certification) ARS § 15-534"
• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. 
  • Request that your university/college submit official transcripts to [email protected].
  • Transcripts uploaded with your application are not considered official. 
• Once you have completed the above , you can apply online: My Certification Portal and pay the $60 fee. 

The Substitute Certificate is valid for 6 years. For more information, click here. 

I have a High School Diploma

If you hold a high school diploma or an Associate's degree, then this is the path for you.

Contact the school/school district you would like to substitute teach in, and ask them about becoming an Emergency Substitute teacher.

• Schools may issue you an Emergency Substitute Teacher application that you would then use to apply for certification at certification.azed.gov
• Please follow the link for a list of schools/districts with contact information.
• Consider applying for your Arizona Identity Verified Fingerprint card. 

Once you have the ESC application in hand, you are now ready to begin the application process. 

• Valid Arizona Identity Verified Prints (IVP) fingerprint clearance card.
  • Apply and receive your Arizona Identity Verified Prints (IVP) fingerprint clearance card through the Arizona Department of Public Safety. 
  • To ensure that your information is shared with the Arizona Department of Education, be sure to check "State Board of Education (Teacher or Other Certification) ARS § 15-534"
• High school diploma, high school transcripts with graduation date, or an Associate's Degree
  • Submit the diploma or transcripts with your application 
  • Request that  your college submit official transcripts to [email protected] 
• ESC application signed by the superintendent of the hiring district
  • When applying online, this application must be uploaded as part of the application process. 

Once you have completed the above, you are ready to apply online and pay the $60 fee. 

The Emergency Substitute Certificate is valid for 2 years or part thereof.  For more information, review the Emergency Substitute Requirements.

I have been hired to teach in a specific classroom and the school has asked me to be highly qualified/appropriately certified for the position. How do I know if I meet this requirement?

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires that teachers in Title I schools hold appropriate certification as defined by the rules and statutes in their state.  Previous Board of Education rules did not provide adequate guidance to assist local education agencies in determining if a teacher is appropriately certified.  To address this issue, the Board approved the Certification Guidelines for Teaching Assignments, a guidance document that clearly defines the required certificate, endorsement, or approved area needed by a teacher to be appropriately certified. 

Please follow the link to the Certification Guidelines webpage for more information. 

How long does it take to process an application for certification?

• During our non-peak times (October – April) the average processing time is 3-4 weeks once all official documents have been received.
• During our peak times (May-September) the average processing time can be up to 6-8 weeks once all official documents have been received. 

It is recommended that you review all requirements before submitting an application to ensure the required and official documents are submitted correctly, this will help ensure that applications are processed in a timely manner and prevent delay.

Requirements for Certification

Requirements for adding an Endorsement

Requirements for adding an Approved Area

Where and how do I submit my official transcripts?

• Electronic official transcripts must be submitted directly by your university/college to [email protected] or through Parchment. 
• Paper official transcripts may be mailed to the Arizona Department of Education – Certification Unit, P.O. Box 6490, Phoenix, AZ 85005 by your university/college.

I submitted transcripts with my online application, now I need to resubmit them, why?

• Transcripts submitted by the applicant via the online portal are not considered official. For transcripts to be considered official, the Certification Unit needs to receive them directly from your university/college to [email protected] or by mail to: Arizona Department of Education – Certification Unit, P.O. Box 6490, Phoenix, AZ 85005. You can also submit official transcripts directly through Parchment. 

Arizona requires an Identity Verified Prints (IVP) fingerprint clearance card issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS IVP Card).  All questions regarding how to apply, how long it takes to receive your card or how to obtain a duplicate card needs to be directed to them at 602-223-2279 or for more information please visit: Arizona Department of Public Safety.

I have an Arizona IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card, however, when I try to create an account through the My Certification Portal, I receive a message that there is not enough information on file. How do I report my fingerprint card to ADE?

• At the time of application, Teacher Certification was not indicated or your social security number (SSN) or your date of birth (DOB) was not on file. Please call the Arizona Department of Public Safety at 602-223-2279 to confirm your SSN, DOB, and confirm that Teacher Certification is marked, and finally ask them to refresh their page. Your information will then be forwarded to the Certification Unit within 24-48 hours, you will then be able to create an account and apply online. 

How do I know if I have the correct fingerprint card?

• There will be an IVP# on the front bottom of the card, if there is no IVP# you have the incorrect card, please call 602-223-2279 for instructions on how to obtain the correct card.

I have a Level One Arizona Fingerprint Clearance card, but I am told I need an IVP Fingerprint clearance card. These are not the same?

• Correct, the level (i.e. Level One) refers to the level of approval issued by DPS. Identity Verified Prints (IVP) refers to the application process used when applying for the fingerprint card. Both IVP and non-IVP cards can be issued as a Level One card. Many other Arizona agencies do not require the Identity Verified Prints (IVP) process to be completed when applying for the fingerprint clearance. The IVP fingerprint clearance card is required for certificate purposes by Arizona Revised Statute: 15-106. If you have the incorrect card, please contact the Arizona Department of Public Safety at 602-223-2279 for assistance.

I have a fingerprint clearance card from another state, will this transfer to Arizona?

• No, you will need to apply for an Arizona IVP Fingerprint clearance card.  Please contact the Arizona Department of Public Safety for more information.

My fingerprint clearance card was denied, who do I need to speak with?

• Please contact the Arizona Department of Public Safety at 602-223-2279.

I have a deficiency on my certificate, how do I remove it?

• Once you meet the requirement for your specific deficiency you will need to have official transcripts or certificates of completion (for CTE Certificate holders only) submitted to the Certification Unit and apply via My Certification Portal or you may apply by mail to correct the deficiency, print the Application to Remove a Deficiency, and submit the application with a check or money order for $20.
• If you are unsure of your deficiency, please refer to your certificate as it will be identified on the back of your printed certificate.
• You may apply online at My Certification Portal or by submitting the Application to Remove a Deficiency. Please visit the Deficiency Removal webpage for specific information.

I have an out-of-state exam; will Arizona accept it?

• Out-of-state exams will be accepted to meet the Professional Knowledge and/or the Subject Knowledge exam requirement as long as it has been identified as an equivalent exam in Arizona. To determine if your out-of-state exam is accepted click on Out-of-State Equivalent Exams. 
• Out-of-state exams need to be verified by the licensing agency in your home state. Please print the form Verification of Out-of-State Exams and request that the licensing agency complete and submit it to [email protected] or through the online Contact Form.
  • If you are submitting a Praxis exam and it is on the list of Out-of-State Equivalent Exams, you will then need to contact Praxis and request that your exam results be reported to the state of Arizona, please provide code 8517. This will take 5-6 business days, then you will need to contact our office.

Can I become certified in Arizona with my out-of-state certificate/license?

• Yes, the Arizona Department of Education Certification Unit may issue a comparable teaching, administrative, or professional non-teaching certificate to an applicant who holds a valid, comparable certificate in another state and is in good standing in that other state.
• Temporary or non-renewable certificates will not qualify for reciprocity in Arizona. 
• Please visit our Reciprocity webpage for more information.

I was issued a certificate or endorsement; do I need to apply for a copy of my certificate?

• All certification services completed by our office include a physical copy of the certificate which will be mailed to the address included on the application. You may view the address ADE has on file in the profile section of the My Certification Portal. We advise to allow 5-7 business days to receive the certificate via mail.

I need a copy of my certificate; how do I obtain one?

• You can request a copy of your certificate through the online My Certification Portal. The fee is $20.00.

• We are unable to print expired or lapsed certificates; however, you can print a free verification letter from the online My Certification Portal. This letter will list all past certificates, approved areas, and endorsements. 

Can I print a copy of my certificate from the online portal?

• No, this service is unavailable, please follow the steps above to obtain a copy of your valid certificate.  

Follow the link for FAQ for the Literacy, K-5 Endorsement