Certification

Certification Requirements

Requirements may be subject to change and are fully referenced in the Arizona Revised Statutes and Administrative Code.  All submitted documentation, including transcripts, becomes the property of The Arizona Department of Education and will not be returned.

Arizona Educator Exams (Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA) or National Evaluation Series (NES)

In November 1997, the Arizona State Board of Education adopted rules regarding the evaluation of educators applying for state certifications. The rules require that applicants for teacher certification pass both a test of subject knowledge and a test of professional knowledge.  The Arizona Educator Exams (AEPA or NES) were designed to ensure that each certified teacher or administrator has the necessary knowledge to teach or lead in Arizona public schools.

For more information (test selection, dates, fees, registration, study guides, etc.) on Arizona’s Educator Exams, see: Required Arizona Educator Exams.

Teaching Certificates

Below are the requirements and related forms for teaching certification.

  • If you hold a valid out-of-state certificate, you should review the reciprocity requirements before applying for certification.
  • If you are a recent Arizona graduate from an approved teacher preparation program, you need to obtain an Institutional Recommendation (IR) from your academic adviser.  Please contact your college/university for more information.

Requirements:

Special Education Certificates
Requirements:

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Certificates
Requirements by CTE Area:

Administrative Certificates
Requirements:

Professional Non-Teaching Certificates
Requirements:

Endorsements

Endorsements are attachments to teaching certificates and indicate areas of specialization.  They are for grades K-12 unless otherwise indicated.  Once issued, they are automatically renewed with the teaching certificate on which the endorsement was posted.  Optional endorsements may be required by local governing boards.  All requirements for the endorsement must be met.  Courses and programs must be taken from an accredited institution.

Requirements:

Teaching Intern Pathway to Certification

The teaching intern certificate enables those that hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution to teach full-time. Candidates will receive full teaching salary and benefits, which ensures no loss of income.

The teaching intern certificate allows the holder to enter in to a teaching contract while completing the requirements for an Arizona provisional teaching certificate.  The intern certificate also allows certified teachers to pursue other teaching certificates.  The holder of the teaching intern certificate may apply for an Arizona provisional teaching certificate upon successful completion of a Board authorized alternative path to certification program or a Board approved teacher preparation program. An individual is not eligible to hold the certificate more than once in a five-year period. RS-2-614.E

Contact Information:

Arizona Department of Education Educator Certification
602-542-4367
Certification@azed.gov

Phoenix Office
1535 W. Jefferson Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Tucson Office
400 West Congress Street, Room 223
Tucson, Arizona, 85701