Renew an Initial Teaching Certificate

Certification

Never been certified as a Teacher in Washington

Already Certified as a Teacher in Washington

For questions:
(360) 725-6400
cert@k12.wa.us

Open to the public
Monday-Friday
8:00 am-5:00 pm

Office closed daily from
12:00 pm-1:00 pm

To find your local
ESD

Initial/Initial Renewal

These options are available if you hold or have held an Initial Certificate:

Renew an Initial Certificate (valid for 3 years)
Continuing Certificate (valid for 5 year periods)
Residency Certificate (must have qualified for an initial, provisional or a residency teacher certificate)
Professional Certificate Program (issued on the basis of holding a national board certificate)
Substitute Certificate (hold or have held a regular Washington certificate in the role)
Add an Endorsement to a certificate
National Board Certificate (three years with a valid state teaching certificate and demonstration of your teaching practice)

If your Initial Certificate has expired, here are your options: Residency Certificate, Substitute Certificate, Renewal, Continuing

Questions?

Renew an Initial Teaching Certificate

Teachers must hold a valid initial teaching certificate, OR if your initial certificate has expired as of 9/1/2000 or later and you met requirements for renewal before expiration, you can apply late (with a $100 late fee). If you did not meet requirements before expiration, or your initial expired before 9/1/00, see Conversion to Residency Certificate
Teachers may renew the initial certificate (only once) after 9/1/00
Must have completed all course work requirements for the continuing certificate
OR
Must have completed 15 quarter hours (10 semester hours) of study since the issuance of the MOST RECENT initial certificate

For details on the documents needed and process to obtain this certificate, please see the application.

Includes details on the documents needed and process to obtain certification.

Old Capitol Building, PO Box 47200, 600 Washington St. S.E., Olympia, WA 98504-7200 (360) 725-6000 TTY (360) 664-3631
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