Early Childhood Education, Birth-Grade 3 Certificate

A formal review is required to verify that all requirements have been met. Please visit the "How to Submit Official Documents" below for the proper submission of the required documents. Failure to submit documents as described could cause a delay in the processing of the application.

• Application: A completed Application for Certification.

• Fee: The fee for this certificate is $60. Per Board-rule, certification fees are non-refundable.

• AZDPS IVP Card: A valid Arizona DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card.

• Official Transcripts: Official Transcripts documenting a Bachelor's or more advanced degree and all applicable coursework.

  • Note: If you completed your degree and applicable coursework at an institution outside of the United States, you must submit a course-by-course evaluation from a Department approved foreign credential evaluation agency. Please see the Approved Foreign Credential Evaluation list.

• Exams: A passing score on the required Arizona Professional Knowledge and Subject Knowledge Exams, or appropriate documentation to meet exam requirements.

• Teaching Experience (if applicable): If you are using teaching experience to meet certification requirements, have your district/school human resources office complete and submit the "Verification of PreK-12 Teaching Experience" form.

  • Please note that teaching experience does not fulfill all requirements for certification.

Bachelor's Degree

• A bachelor's or more advanced degree from an accredited institution (college or university).

Teacher Preparation Coursework/Training (Option A or B)

• Option A: Teacher Preparation Program

  • Completion of a teacher preparation program in Early Childhood Education from a Board-approved educator preparation program, or from an accredited college or university offering substantially similar training, which includes the coursework outlined under Option B, Requirement B-2, and at least 12 weeks of a capstone (student teaching) experience in a preschool through grade three classroom.

• Option B: Teaching Experience and Coursework/Training(B-1 and B-2 are required under this option).

  • B-1 Teaching Experience: Two (2) years of full-time teaching experience serving children from birth through grade three.

    • Request that the verifying HR complete and submit the Verification of PreK-12 Teaching Experience form.

  • B-2 - Coursework: Completion of Board-approved or accredited coursework or training which teaches the knowledge and skills described in Arizona Administrative Code R7-2-602 and addresses the following topics:

    • Foundations of early childhood education;

    • Teaching students with exceptionalities;

    • Child guidance and classroom management,

    • Characteristics and quality practices for typical and atypical behaviors of young children;

    • Child growth and development, including health, safety, and nutrition;

    • Child, family, cultural and community relationships;

    • Developmentally appropriate instructional methodologies for teaching:

      • language,

      • math,

      • science,

      • social studies,

      • and the arts;

    • Assessing, monitoring, and reporting the progress of young children;

    • Instructional design and lesson planning, including modifications and accommodations.

Professional Knowledge Exam Requirement - One of the following

• Option A - Arizona Exam: A passing score on the AEPA/NES Professional Knowledge - Early Childhood Exam (AZ093).
• Option B - Out-of-State Exam: A passing score on a similar professional knowledge exam from another state.
• Option C - Teaching Experience: Three years of full-time teaching experience in any state, including Arizona, in a Preschool-Grade 3/Age 8 classroom.
  • Experience teaching in a foreign school does not meet this requirement.
  • Experience as a substitute does not meet this requirement.

Subject Knowledge Exam Requirement - One of the following

• Option A - Arizona Exam: A passing score on the AEPA/NES Subject Knowledge: Early Childhood Education exam (AZ036).
• Option B - Out-of-State Exam: A passing score on a similar subject knowledge exam from another state.
• Option C - Degree in the Subject: A Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate degree in Early Childhood Education from an accredited institution.
• Option D - Teaching Experience: Verification of three years of full-time teaching experience in any state, including Arizona, in a Self-Contained, Preschool-Grade 3/Age 8 classroom.
  • Experience teaching in a foreign school does not meet this requirement.
  • Experience as a substitute teacher does not meet this requirement.

Other Exam Options

This certificate allows for the following deficiencies and will be due within 3-years of the issuance of the certificate.

• Science of Reading (Phonics): At least three (3) semester hours or 45 clock hours of approved training in research-based science of reading instruction, including systematic phonics.
• Reading Intervention (Dyslexia): At least three (3) semester hours or 45 clock hours of approved training in research-based instructional strategies for delivering differentiated reading instruction, assessment, intervention, and remediation to support readers of varying ages and ability levels, including students with dyslexia.
• Ethics: A college/university course or Board-approved training in professional responsibility and ethical conduct.
• 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.

Applicant will have 3 years to complete the above allowable deficiency requirements. If these are not met within the allowable timeframe, the certificate will be placed on non-disciplinary suspension. Once the deficiencies are met, the certificate end date will be extended back to its original 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 submitted 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] or mailed to the Arizona Department of Education - Certification Unit.
• Out-of-State Exam Score Reports: If you are using out-of-state exams, include a copy of the out-of-state score report with your application and have exams verified as follows:
  • Forward the "Verification of Out-of-State Exams" form to the state agency that accepted the exam. This form must be completed and submitted by an official with the state agency.
  • If you are using Praxis exam(s), have your scores reported by ETS to the Arizona Department of Education (8517).
• Verification of Teaching Experience: If you are using teaching experience to meet Certification requirements, request that the district/school human resources office complete and submit the Verification of PreK-12 Teaching Experience following the instructions on the form.

Accepted Photocopies from the Applicant

• AZDPS IVP Card: Submit a photocopy of the Arizona DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance card.
• Arizona Educator Exams: Submit a photocopy of the official score report documenting a passing score on the Arizona educator exam(s) (AEPA/NES).