Certification

The Certification department can assist you with forms and information regarding certification requirements in Washington State. NWESD staff can process basic applications and issue temporary permits for teachers, principals, and educational staff associates in applicable situations.

Types of certificates in Washington include:

• Teacher
• Administrator (principal, superintendent, and program administrator)
• Educational Staff Associate
  • School counselor, school psychologist, and school social worker
  • Speech language pathologist or audiologist, school nurse, occupational therapist, and physical therapist

Certifications for Washington State Teachers:

• The Residency Teaching Certificate: This is the first level regular certificate that most applicants obtain.  The Residency Teaching Certificate requires that an applicant has earned a bachelor's degree and an approved college or university teacher education program.  Both of these programs must be completed at a regionally accredited college or university.
  • Fingerprinting is required of all individuals who have regular, unsupervised access to children.  This includes those seeking certificates, and those employed in a certified or classified position.  The NWESD provides digital fingerprinting services, a convenient way to update your fingerprint records every two years.
     
• The Professional Certificate: This is an advanced certificate for teachers who hold a Residency Teaching Certificate, and have time in the classroom.  The Professional Certification focuses on student learning and closing the achievement gap.
   
• Endorsements: Endorsements (designated teaching areas) can be added to teaching certificates by completing a college/university endorsement program.

More information about Washington certification can be found at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction website.  

Certification Fee

Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1449 (ESHB 1449) was enacted in 2011, requiring the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to establish and charge a fee for processing educator certificates and subsequent administrative actions that result in the issuance, renewal, or reissuance of educator certificates and permits.  Click for more information about the Certification fee.