Alternative Teaching Certificate

Overview

The Alternative Teaching certificate is valid for one year and may be extended yearly for no more than two consecutive years. The certificate entitles the holder to enter into a teaching contract while enrolled in a Board-approved educator preparation program leading to an Arizona standard teaching certificate. The certificate holder shall be enrolled in an Arizona Board-approved educator preparation program while teaching. An individual is not eligible to hold the Alternative Teaching certificate more than once in a five year period. Requirements for certification are subject to change and are fully referenced in the Arizona Revised Statutes and State Board of Education Rules. 

The Alternative Teaching certificate is issued for one year and may be extended yearly for two consecutive years. Submit the following:

1. Arizona DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card

Applicants must hold a valid Arizona DPS IVP fingerprint clearance card. You may verify that the card is on file through the ADE Educator Portal or include a photocopy of the fingerprint clearance card with your application. 

2. Application and Fee

A completed Application for Certification and nonrefundable $60 fee.  You may apply online through the ADE Educator Portal or submit the paper Application for the Alternative Teaching certificate. 

3. Official Transcripts

Official transcripts documenting a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution (college or university). If you completed your degree and applicable coursework at an accredited institution outside of the United States, you must submit an evaluation from a Arizona Department of Education approved foreign credential evaluation agency in lieu of official transcripts.

4. Verification of Enrollment 

Verification of enrollment in an Arizona State Board of Education-approved educator preparation program leading to a standard teaching certificate, signed by the appropriate designee. Please contact the approved Educator Preparation Program Provider for information on requesting the Alternative Teaching enrollment letter from the appropriate designee. 

The Alternative Teaching Certificate may be extended yearly for no more than two consecutive years. There is no fee to apply for an extension of an Alternative Teaching certificate. Submit the following:

1. Application

A completed Application to extend the Alternative Teaching certificate. You may apply online through the ADE Educator Portal or submit a paper Application to Extend an Alternative Teaching Certificate. 

2. Arizona DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card

Applicants must hold a valid Arizona DPS IVP fingerprint clearance card. You may verify that the card is on file through the ADE Educator Portal or include a photocopy of the fingerprint clearance card with your application. 

3. Verification of Adequate Progress

Verification from the Board-approved educator preparation program in which the alternative teaching certificate holder is enrolled that the holder has made adequate progress toward program completion. Please contact the approved Educator Preparation Program Provider for information on requesting the Alternative Teaching adequate progress letter from the appropriate designee.

This certificate includes the following allowable deficiencies that must be completed within the specified timeframe:  

  • U.S. Constitution: A college/university course OR a passing score on the approved exam covering United States Constitution.
  • AZ Constitution: A college/university course OR a passing score on the approved exam covering Arizona Constitution. 

Applicants will have three (3) years to complete the above allowable deficiency requirements, except that if you are certified in History, Social Studies, or Political Science/American Government, they have one (1) year to meet these requirements.  If these are not met within the allowable timeframe, the certificate will be placed on a non-disciplinary suspension. Once the deficiencies are corrected, the non-disciplinary suspension will be removed, and the certificate will be re-activated to the original expiration date.  For additional information and resources for meeting these deficiencies, please visit the Deficiency Removal page.

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 sent 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], mailed to the Arizona Department of Education - Certification Unit or sent through our online Contact Form. 

Accepted Photocopies from the Applicant

  • AZDPS IVP Card: Submit a photocopy of the Arizona DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance card. 
  • Program Verification Letter: A letter verifying that you are enrolled in an Arizona State Board-approved alternative path to certification program or an Arizona State Board-approved educator preparation program. The letter must be signed by the appropriate designee from the educator preparation program. 

    Ready to apply - click here for step-by-step directions

    Pursuant to section 41-1093.01, Arizona Revised Statutes, an agency shall limit all occupational regulations to regulations that are demonstrated to be necessary to specifically fulfill a public health, safety, or welfare concern. Pursuant to sections 41-1093.02 and 41-1093.03, Arizona Revised Statutes, you have the right to petition this agency to repeal or modify the occupational regulation or bring an action in a court of general jurisdiction to challenge the occupational regulation and to ensure compliance with section 41-1093.01, Arizona Revised Statutes.