Mild/Moderate Disabilities, PreK-12 Endorsement
Endorsement Information
Overview: The Mild/Moderate Disabilities, PreK-12 Endorsement authorizes the holder to teach Special Education in a mild/moderate PreK-12 classroom. Requirements may be subject to change and are fully referenced in the Arizona Revised Statutes and Administrative Code: R7-2-607, R7-615.01, R7-2-621.
Out-of-state certificate: If you hold a valid, comparable out-of-state educator certificate/license that is in good standing, or a valid, comparable National Board Teaching Certificate, follow this link for information and steps to apply under reciprocity.
A formal review is required to verify that all requirements have been met. Please visit the "How to Submit Official Documents" below for the proper submission of the required documents. Failure to submit documents as described could cause a delay in the processing of the application.
- Prerequisite Certificate: A valid Arizona Standard Professional Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle Grades, Secondary, Hearing Impaired, Visually Impaired, Early Childhood Special Education, or Moderate/Severe Disabilities Certificate.
- Application: A completed Application for Certification.
- Fee: The fee for this endorsement is $60. Per Board-rule, certification fees are non-refundable.
- AZDPS IVP Card: A valid Arizona DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card.
- Official Transcripts: Official transcripts documenting a Bachelor's or more advanced degree and all applicable coursework.
- Note: If you completed your degree and applicable coursework at an institution outside of the United States, you must submit an evaluation from a Department approved foreign credential evaluation agency. Please see the "Approved Foreign Credential Evaluation" list.
- Teaching Experience: Verification of three (3) years of full-time teaching experience in PreK-Grade 12. Please have your district/school human resources office complete and submit the Verification of PreK-12 Teaching Experience form.
- Verification of Practicum: A Verification (on official letterhead) from the department chair or designee at an accredited college or university verifying completion of the required clock hours of practicum.
The provisional endorsement is valid for 3 years and is not renewable.
Applicants must meet all requirements.
- Prerequisite Certificate: A valid Arizona Standard Professional Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle Grades, Secondary, Hearing Impaired, Visually Impaired, Early Childhood Special Education, or Moderate/Severe Disabilities Certificate.
- Teaching Experience: Verification of three years of full-time teaching experience in PreK-Grade 12.
- Special Education Coursework: Six semester hours of special education courses to include both of the following:
- Behavior management for students with disabilities;
- Special education assessment and individualized education program planning.
- Practicum: Fifteen clock hours of practicum in mild/moderate disabilities special education through an accredited college or university. Practicum hours may be embedded in the above special education courses.
The full endorsement will automatically renew with the certificate on which it is attached.
Applicants must meet all requirements.
- Prerequisite Certificate: A valid Arizona Standard Professional Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle Grades, Secondary, Hearing Impaired, Visually Impaired, Early Childhood Special Education, or Moderate/Severe Disabilities Certificate.
- Teaching Experience: Three years of full-time teaching experience in PreK-Grade 12.
- Special Education Coursework: Fifteen (15) semester hours of special education courses to include all of the following:
- Behavior management for students with disabilities;
- Special education assessment and individualized education program planning;
- Special education law;
- Methods for teaching students with disabilities;
- Language development and disorders.
- Practicum: Completion of 45 clock hours of practicum in mild/moderate disabilities special education through an accredited college or university. Practicum hours may be embedded in the special education courses above.
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 the 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.
- Verification of Teaching Experience: Please forward the Verification of PreK-12 Teaching Experience form to your school/district human resources office with a request to verify your experience. The form must be submitted by school/district human resources to our online Contact Form.
Accepted Photocopies from the Applicant
- AZDPS IVP Card: Submit a photocopy of the Arizona DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance card.
- Practicum: Verification on official letterhead signed by a college/university department chair or designee verifying completion of the required practicum hours.
