News and Information


Published: May 18th, 2020

COVID-19 Certification Updates

The following items were approved by the Arizona State Board of Education on May 18, 2020.

Emergency Teaching Certificates

The Board approved a rule change to allow teacher preparation program completers to qualify for an “unrestricted” Emergency Teaching Certificate without a request from a superintendent if the applicant was unable to take the required AEPA/NES exams because of a public health emergency.  An Emergency Teaching Certificate that is issued under this rule will be in the certification area that aligns with the applicant’s teacher preparation program and will be valid to teach in any Arizona public school.  A certificate issued under this rule will be valid for one school year and will not be re-issued or extended.

Interim Administrative Certificate

The Board approved a rule change to allow individuals who otherwise qualify for a Standard Professional Administrative certificate, but who are unable to meet the AEPA/NES Administrator exam requirement because of a public health emergency, to qualify for a one-year Interim Administrative certificate.  The Interim Administrative certificate will be issued and valid for one year and will not be renewed or extended.

Pearson Test Center Opening

Pearson has recently re-opened testing centers in Arizona. For additional information on testing center openings/closings due to COVID-19, visit http://www.aepa.nesinc.com/.

Please contact the certification unit at (602) 542-4367 or [email protected] if you have any questions.

Thank you for your service to Arizona’s students.

 

 

Posted in News and Information |
Published: April 21st, 2020

COVID-19 & Certification Updates

Public Health Emergency – AEPA/NES Exams

Pearson Education Inc., the company that administers Arizona exams required for teaching and administrative certificates, has recently closed all testing centers because of the COVID-19 emergency.  On April 20, 2020, the Department submitted several proposals to the Board of Education to ensure that educators who otherwise qualify for certification but are unable to meet exam requirements because of the current public health emergency, are able to be hired for the 2020/2021 school year.   The proposals and current status are outlined below.

Approved: Career and Technical Education Professional Knowledge Exam (CTE-PK) Deficiency Extension

The Board has approved a one-year extension for CTE certificate holders to meet the NES Professional Knowledge Secondary exam allowable deficiency requirement while there is a public health emergency.

Please note that the extension only applies to the three-year Professional Knowledge exam deficiency on CTE certificates (CTE-PK).   The two-year allowable deficiency timeframe for Subject Matter Expert certificate holders to meet the NES Professional Knowledge-Secondary exam requirement (SME-PK) is established in state statute and cannot be extended.

CTE certificate holders should submit one of the following to extend the CTE-PK deficiency timeframe:

  • Standard CTE certificate holders should submit the Application to Remove Deficiencies, proof of meeting all other allowable deficiency requirements, and the $20 fee.  Under this temporary rule change, there will be no fee to remove the CTE-PK exam deficiency once applicants meet the NES Professional Knowledge Secondary exam requirement.
  • Provisional CTE certificate holders should submit the Application to Transfer a Provisional to Standard Certificate, proof of meeting all other allowable deficiency requirements, and the $60 per certificate fee.  Under this temporary rule change, there will be no fee to remove the CTE-PK exam deficiency from the Standard CTE certificate once applicants meet the NES Professional Knowledge Secondary exam requirement.

Approved: Student Teaching Intern Certificate Exam Deferral

The Board has approved a one-year deferral on the professional and subject knowledge exam requirements for the Student Teaching Intern Certificate while applicants are unable to take the exams because of the public health emergency.

Opened: Emergency Teaching Certificate Rule

The Board opened rulemaking on a provision which would allow teacher preparation program graduates to qualify for an “unrestricted” Emergency Teaching Certificate without a request from a superintendent if the applicant was unable to take the required AEPA/NES exams because of a public health emergency.  If approved by the Board, an Emergency Teaching Certificate issued under this rule will be issued in the certification area that aligns to the applicant’s teacher preparation program and will be valid to teach in any Arizona public school.  A certificate issued under this provision will be valid for one school year and will not be re-issued or extended.

Opened: Interim Administrative Certificate Rule

The Board opened rulemaking on a provision which would allow individuals who otherwise qualify for a Standard Professional Administrative certificate, but who are unable to meet the AEPA/NES Administrator exam requirement because of a public health emergency, to qualify for a one-year Interim Administrative certificate.  If approved by the Board, an Interim Administrative certificate issued under this provision would be valid for one year and would not be renewed or extended.

You may review the proposed rule language and provide input on the Arizona State Board of Education website at https://azsbe.az.gov/ .

You may contact us at (602) 542-4367 or [email protected] if you have any questions.

Thank you for your service to Arizona’s students.

Review our Certification COVID 19 Response FAQs for more information.

Posted in News and Information |
Published: April 1st, 2020

Teach Again

Know someone who was a teacher in Arizona?
Know someone who is thinking about coming back to teaching?
Do you want to head back to the classroom?

Recertification is easier than ever! Due to legislative changes to certification rules in the last few years, there may be ways to meet some requirements for recertification, such as required exams, with prior teaching experience or other qualifications that an individual may already hold.

To assist former teachers in returning to the classroom, the Arizona Department of Education has added an additional tab to the certification page titled, “Teach Again.” This page is designed to assist anyone with an expired or lapsed Arizona teaching certificate to be recertified and return to the classroom.

To review the process for recertification, please visit the Arizona Department of Education’s website at Teach Again. You also may call us at 602-542-4367 for additional information.

Posted in News and Information |
Published: March 18th, 2020

Accepting Applications via Online and Mail Only

Our goal in the Certification Unit is to serve each of our customers with the best possible customer service while completing the certification process.  We understand there is heightened concern in regard to the COVID-19 virus, we also understand the desire and need to continue with assisting you, the public, with certification.

Starting Thursday March 19th and until further notice we are only accepting applications for certification services via our online portal or through regular mail.

We are happy to assist you with questions:

To apply online, visit the AzEdCert page for directions and the link to the AzEDCert Educator Portal. AZEdCert Logo

Almost all services can be applied for online:

  • All Certificate renewals
  • All initial certificates (Substitute, Standard Professional, CTE, STEM, Subject Matter Expert, Emergency, etc.)
  • All approved areas (Content area designations added to appropriate certificates)
  • All endorsements (Specialization – content and student groups – added to appropriate certificates)

To apply via mail, send your application and materials to:

Arizona Department of Education – Certification Unit
P.O. Box 6490
Phoenix, AZ 85005-6490

All services can be applied for via regular mail.  Additionally, transfers, deficiency removals, name change, and duplicate copy requests are not available through our online portal at this time and may only be applied for via regular mail.

 

Thank you for your understanding.

Posted in News and Information |
Published: March 13th, 2020

Certification Services – COVID-19 Information

Our goal in the Certification Unit is to serve each of our customers with the best possible customer service while completing the certification process. We understand there is heightened concern in regards to the COVID-19 virus, we also understand the desire and need to continue with assisting you, the public, with certification. The following are some options that will allow you to seek certification while maintaining “social distance” to decrease the chances of contracting/spreading the COVID-19 virus.

  1. To apply online, visit the AzEdCert page for directions and the link to the AzEDCert Educator Portal.AZEdCert Logo
    • The following services may be completed online:
      • All initial certificates (Substitute, Standard Professional, CTE, STEM, Subject Matter Expert, Emergency, etc)
      • All approved areas (Content area designations added to appropriate certificates)
      • All endorsements (Specialization – content and student groups – added to appropriate certificates)
      • Certificate renewal
  1. Transfers, deficiency removals, name change, and duplicate copy requests are not available through our online portal at this time. Please apply by mail to:

Arizona Department of Education – Certification Unit
P.O. Box 6490
Phoenix, AZ 85005-6490

Thank you for your understanding.

Posted in News and Information |
Published: March 10th, 2020

Certification Updates March 2020

New Special Education Endorsements

On February 24, 2020, the Board of Education adopted new special education endorsements for teachers of students with mild/moderate and moderate/severe disabilities.   The new endorsements will enable certified, experienced teachers to become qualified to teach special education without completing an additional teacher preparation program.

Certified teachers may apply for either a three-year, non-renewable provisional endorsement or a full endorsement in mild/moderate or moderate/severe disabilities special education.

The requirements for the provisional special education endorsements are:

  • A valid Arizona Standard Professional Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle Grades, Secondary, or Special Education teaching certificate; and
  • Verification of three years of full-time teaching experience in preschool through grade twelve; and
  • Six semester hours of specified special education courses; and
  • Verification of 15 clock hours of special education practicum, which may be embedded in the six semester hours of courses.

The requirements for the full special education endorsements are:

  • A valid Arizona Standard Professional Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle Grades, Secondary, or Special Education teaching certificate; and
  • Verification of three years of full-time teaching experience in preschool through grade twelve; and
  • Fifteen (15) semester hours of specified special education courses; and
  • Verification of 45 clock hours of special education practicum, which may be embedded in the 15 semester hours of courses.

Please click here to review the  requirements for the Mild/Moderate Disabilities and Moderate/Severe Disabilities endorsements for detailed information on these new endorsements.

Experienced Educator Renewal Option Reminder

Under the “experienced educator” option for renewal, an individual who holds an educator certificate which has expired for at least two years, but not more than ten years, may qualify for renewal with the following:

  • Verification of ten years of experience in the area of certification and in Arizona; and
  • A valid Arizona DPS IVP fingerprint clearance card; and
  • The educator is in good standing.

Please note that educators may only submit an online renewal application if their certificate is within the renewal time-frame, which is six months before to up to one year after expiration. Therefore, individuals who are applying under the experienced educator option must submit a paper renewal application.

Please call the Certification hotline for specific questions, 602-542-4367 or click here for the renewal application and requirements. Thank you for all you do to help ensure our teachers are ready for the classroom.

Posted in Certification Changes and Updates, News and Information |
Published: February 5th, 2020

Certification Updates February 2020

Additional Options for Certificate Renewal 

Educators who are applying for certification renewal may now use one of the following in lieu of clock hours of professional development: 

  1. A valid professional license as a counselor, social worker, psychologist, or speech pathologist issued by the appropriate state agency in this state or in another state; OR 
  2. A valid certificate issued by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards; OR 
  3. A valid Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology issued by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association.  

Appropriately Certified to Teach Environmental Science 

Previously, the Certification Unit advised school districts that Environmental Science teachers were required to have an approved area in General Science, Earth Science, or Environmental Science.  The Department’s K-12 Standards and Title I divisions have now approved Biology as another approved area to meet the requirement to be “appropriately certified” to teach Environmental Science.  Therefore, the proposed Certification Guidelines for Teaching Assignments will be updated as outlined below. 

Environmental Science teachers in 9th grade must hold one of the following certificates: 

  • Secondary Certificate or 
  • Middle Grade Certificate or  
  • Elementary Certificate with a Middle Grade Endorsement 

-AND- 

One of the following approved areas: 

  • Environmental Science 
  • Biology 
  • Earth Science 
  • General Science 
  • Middle Grades General Science 

Environmental Science teachers in grades 10-12 must hold a Secondary certificate with one of the following approved areas: 

  • Environmental Science 
  • Biology 
  • Earth Science 
  • General Science. 
Posted in Certification Changes and Updates, News and Information |
Published: January 16th, 2020

Arizona Department of Education – Tucson Office

Beginning February 2020, the Certification office in Tucson will be officially closed. We are asking that you please communicate this with your staff and remind them of the other options for applying for initial certificates and renewing of current certificates. Please click here for additional information.

  1. Teachers may apply online through the AzEDCert Portal. This is for renewing certificates and applying for initial certificates, endorsements and/or approved areas.
  2. Currently the following services are available only by mail or in person: Certificate extensions, transfers, deficiency removals, name change, and requests for duplicate copy of certificates.
  3. You may also provide the hotline number for individuals to call for support: 602-542-4367.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Phoenix Certification office and we will be happy to assist you.

Please click on the links below for fliers that are available for you to send to your staff.

Click here for additional information regarding the closing of the Tucson office.
Click here for additional information for different ways to apply for certification.
Posted in News and Information |
Published: May 23rd, 2019

May 2019 Certification Updates

Announcing our New Director

We are pleased to announce the appointment of our new Certification Director, Michelle Brady.  Ms. Brady comes to us with 18 years of experience in education. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Arizona State University, a Post-Baccalaureate in Secondary Education, a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration and Leadership from the University of Phoenix. Ms. Brady brings her experience as a classroom teacher, instructional coach,  assistant principal and principal to the Department of Education.

School Counselor Certificate Update

On April 29, 2019, the Board of Education approved a rule change to the Standard School Counselor Certificate.  Under the revised rule, applicants may qualify for the certificate if they have a master’s degree and one of the following:

  • Completion of a graduate program in guidance and counseling;
  • Completion of a graduate program in counseling, social work, psychology, or academic advising;
  • A valid Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners license as an associate or professional counselor, master or clinical social worker, or marriage and family therapist;
  • A valid, comparable school counselor certificate from another state that is in good standing.

Applicants who qualify for the Standard School Counselor Certificate with a graduate program in counseling, social work, psychology, or academic advising, or with a Board of Behavioral Health Examiners license, must also complete both of the following allowable deficiency requirements within three years:

  • Practicum/Experience: A school counseling practicum, two years of experience as a school counselor, or three years of full-time teaching experience.
  • Semester Hours of Coursework:  Completion of six semester hours of specified coursework in school counseling.

A Standard School Counselor Certificate with allowable deficiencies will be temporarily suspended if the certificate holder does not correct the deficiencies within three years; however, a suspension for failure to meet allowable deficiency requirements is not considered a disciplinary action and the certificate holder may correct the deficiencies within the remaining timeframe of the certificate.

Required Signatures Guidance Documents

Certification applications frequently require a verification form, letter, or request from an appropriate administrator in a school district or charter school.  To ensure compliance with State Board rules and prevent delays in the processing of applications, please review the guidance document which outlines the required signature for verification and request forms.

Please contact the Certification Unit if you have any questions.  Thank you for your service to Arizona students.

Posted in Certification Changes and Updates, News and Information |