Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL

1. I’ve lost my certificate. How can I obtain a replacement?
2. How can I obtain a fingerprint card?
3. I have questions about my certificate, but I don’t know my certificate number. How can I find out information about my certificate?
4. What does “regionally accredited” mean?
5. My continuing certificate will expire this June. How do I renew it?
6. My continuing certificate has expired. How can I reinstate it?

TEACHER

1. I have a bachelor’s degree in another area, but I’m really interested in teaching. What would I have to do to obtain a teaching certificate in Washington State?
2. I’m a certified teacher in California. How can I obtain a Washington certificate?
3. Where can I find information about the West-B and West-E tests?
4. Do you accept any tests other than the West-B or West-E?
5. I had an initial certificate that expired in 1995. What do I need to do to update my certification?
6. I’m applying for my first Washington certificate. Should I apply for the residency or professional certificate?
7. My residency certificate says “Residency PS” and has no expiration date. What do I need to do to keep my certificate current?
8. I have a renewed initial teaching certificate that will expire in June and want to apply for the continuing certificate. What do I need to do?
9. Can you tell me if I am “highly qualified?”
10. I’m going to retire after many years of teaching in Washington, but I would still like to substitute teach. Where would I find an application for a substitute certificate?
11. I have a residency certificate due to expire in June. I didn’t teach for the first few years I had it. How can I renew it?
12. I have a residency certificate due to expire in June. I haven’t taught at all since I received my certificate. How can I renew it?
13. I’ve already had my residency certificate reissued. Do I need to enroll in a ProCert program?
14. How can I find out information about CTE (vocational) certification?
15. How can I add an endorsement to my certificate?
16. I’m interested in substitute teaching, but I don’t have an education background. Is there any way I can substitute teach?

ADMINISTRATOR

1. I’m a certified administrator in California. How can I obtain a Washington certificate?
2. Is testing required for the administrative certificate?
3. I had an initial principal’s certificate that expired in 1995. What do I need to do to update my certification?
4. My residency principal’s certificate says "Residency FI" and has no expiration date. What do I need to do to keep my certificate current?

ESA

1. I’m a certified school counselor in California. How can I obtain a Washington certificate?

PRO TEACH PORTFOLIO

1. Frequently Asked Questions

I’ve lost my certificate. How can I obtain a replacement?

To obtain a replacement certificate, you need to complete this form:
http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/certapp/4080.pdf

There is a $48.00 fee, and the form needs to be notarized.

I’m a certified teacher in California. How can I obtain a Washington certificate?

You may download the application directly from here: http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/certapp/4031.pdf or you may apply through eCert at https://eds.ospi.k12.wa.us/pda/

I’m a certified school counselor in California. How can I obtain a Washington certificate?

You may download the application directly from here: http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/certapp/4098.pdf

I have a bachelor’s degree in another area, but I’m really interested in teaching. What would I have to do to obtain a teaching certificate?

Washington requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and a state approved teacher preparation program. Since you already have a bachelor’s degree, you could enroll in a “cert only” or master’s program. Information on programs located in Washington may be found here: http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/profed/approvedprograms.aspx

My continuing certificate will expire this June. How do I renew it?

Prior to the lapse date of your certificate, you need to submit the clock hour form listing the 150 clock hours (or credit equivalent) you have completed to extend the validity of your certificate for an additional five years. You may download the form here http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/certapp/1211.pdf or you may apply through eCert at https://eds.ospi.k12.wa.us/pda/

Where can I find information about the West-B and West-E tests?

West-B http://www.west.nesinc.com/
West-E http://www.west.nesinc.com/index.asp

I had an initial certificate that expired in 1995. What do I need to do to update my certification?

Since your initial certificate expired prior to 9-1-00, you will need to convert to the residency certificate. That certificate will carry the same endorsements as your initial certificate. You may download the application from here http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/certapp/4032.pdf or you may apply through eCert at https://eds.ospi.k12.wa.us/pda/

Do you accept any tests other than the West-B or West-E?

Individuals from out of state applying for a residency teaching certificate, in lieu of passing the WEST-B, may provide original documentation of passing scores on the CBEST or minimum scores on the Praxis I of 177 for the reading subtest, 176 for the mathematics subtest and 174 for the writing subtest.

I’m applying for my first Washington certificate. Should I apply for the residency or professional certificate?

You should apply for the residency certificate. The professional certificate requires completion of a Washington professional certificate program, national board certification (issued by NBPTS), or an Oregon CTL (continuing teaching license) issued after January, 1999.

I have questions about my certificate, but I don’t know my certificate number. How can I find out information about my certificate?

All you need to do is e-mail the certification office (cert@k12.wa.us) with your complete legal name and date of birth (and any other names under which you may have been certified), and we will be able to provide you with information on your certificate.

My residency certificate says “Residency FI” or “Residency PS” and has no expiration date. What do I need to do to keep my certificate current?

• Individuals will not have a defined expiration date until they have employment. Individuals employed in a Washington school district will have the validity calculated based on the experience information submitted by the school district on their annual personnel report (S275 report) to OSPI. Individuals employed in a Washington public school will receive notification from their employer when they must submit a reissuance application.
• Individuals employed by a Washington school district must have their residency certificate reissued with a defined expiration date once they are eligible for enrollment in ProTeach.
• Individuals employed in nonpublic school settings may participate in completing professional teacher certificate requirements and have their certificate reissued with a defined expiration date. It is up to the individual or their employer to determine if they wish to have their certificate reissued with a defined expiration date.
• When a certificate is reissued, it will be valid for three years.

I have a renewed initial teaching certificate that will expire in June and want to apply for the continuing certificate. What do I need to do?

You will need to meet requirements for the continuing certificate and make application prior to the expiration of your renewed initial certificate. Further information and an application available for download may be found here: http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/certapp/4021.pdf or you may apply through eCert at https://eds.ospi.k12.wa.us/pda/

What does “regionally accredited” mean?

For your degree and/or coursework to be accepted for certification requirements, it must be taken from a regionally accredited college or university. The six regional accrediting bodies are:

• Middle States, Association of Colleges and Schools
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
• Northwest Association of School and Colleges
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Can you tell me if I am “highly qualified?”

No, your employing school district in Washington will determine if you are highly qualified. If you are not employed with a Washington school district, you may find this information helpful: http://www.k12.wa.us/TitleIIA/HighlyQualifiedTeachers.aspx

I’m going to retire after many years of teaching in Washington, but I would still like to substitute teach. Where would I find an application for a substitute certificate?

This is the application for the lifetime substitute certificate: http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/certapp/4044.pdf or you may apply through eCert at https://eds.ospi.k12.wa.us/pda/

My continuing certificate has expired. How can I reinstate it?

You need 150 clock hours (or credit equivalent) in the five years preceding your application for reinstatement. http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/certapp/4022.pdf or you may apply through eCert at https://eds.ospi.k12.wa.us/pda/

I have a residency certificate due to expire in June. I didn’t teach for the first few years I had it. How can I renew it?

You need to have your residency certificate reissued using this form: http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/certapp/4031R.pdf or you may apply through eCert at https://eds.ospi.k12.wa.us/pda/ More information on residency teacher reissuance can be found here: http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/teacher/Residency3.aspx#Reissuance

I have a residency certificate due to expire in June. I haven’t taught at all since I received my certificate. How can I renew it?

You need to have your residency certificate reissued using this form: http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/certapp/4031R.pdf or you may apply through eCert at https://eds.ospi.k12.wa.us/pda/ You will complete the form and mail it to our office.  We will remove the expiration date entirely from your certificate.

I’ve already had my residency certificate reissued. Do I need to enroll in a ProTeach program?

Yes. You can renew your certificate for an additional two years just by enrolling. Further information about the ProTeach programs can be found here: http://www.waproteach.org

How can I find out information about CTE (vocational) certification?

Please visit the CTE section of our web page: http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/CTE/

How can I add an endorsement to my certificate?

There are several ways to add an endorsement. However, it might be best to contact our office, either by e-mail at cert@k12.wa.us or by telephone at (360) 725-6396 so we can provide you with information appropriate for your situation.

How can I obtain a fingerprint card?

You can e-mail us at cert@k12.wa.us with your mailing address and we will be happy to send you the fingerprint card package.

I’m interested in substitute teaching, but I don’t have an education background. Is there any way I can substitute teach?

A regular substitute teaching certificate requires the same preparation as a regular teaching certificate -- a bachelor's degree and a state approved training program. However, we do offer an emergency substitute certificate, which does not require a teacher training program. That certificate must be requested by an employing school district. Further information about the emergency substitute certificate and an application available for download may be found here: http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/certapp/4027.pdf or you may apply through eCert at https://eds.ospi.k12.wa.us/pda/

I’m a certified administrator in California. How can I obtain a Washington certificate?

You may download the application directly from here: http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/certapp/4001.pdf or you may apply through eCert at https://eds.ospi.k12.wa.us/pda/

Is testing required for the administrative certificate?

No.

I had an initial principal’s certificate that expired in 1995. What do I need to do to update my certification?

Since your initial principal’s certificate has expired, you will need to convert to the residency certificate. You may download the application from here http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/certapp/93P.pdf or you may apply through eCert at https://eds.ospi.k12.wa.us/pda/

My residency principal’s certificate says “Residency FI” and has no expiration date. What do I need to do to keep my certificate current?

You don't need to do anything with your certificate until after you have been a principal or assistant principal for two consecutive years in Washington with the same employer. Then you will need to apply for reissuance of your certificate. You may download the application from here: http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/certapp/4001R.pdf or you may apply through eCert at https://eds.ospi.k12.wa.us/pda/. Your district will complete the bottom of the form, and we will issue you a new certificate that will expire five years from the end of your second year of service in the principal role.