Emergency Teaching Certificate

Certificate Information

Overview: The Emergency Teaching Certificate is issued for Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School, and Secondary teaching certificates and required endorsements. This certificate authorizes the holder to teach only in the district that verifies an emergency employment situation exists.

The individual holding an Emergency Teaching Certificate is entitled to enter into a teaching contract. The certificate is valid for one school year or part thereof and expires on the following July 1. An Emergency Teaching Certificate shall not be issued more than three (3) times to an individual.  Requirements may be subject to change and are fully referenced in the Arizona Revised Statutes and Administrative Code R7-2-606; R7-2-607; R-2-601.01; R7-2-609; R7-2-614 (A)(D); R7-2-621.

Note: Effective August 9, 2017, Emergency Teaching Certificates will no longer be issued for Special Education Teaching Certificates and cannot be issued for Career and Technical Education (CTE) areas. 

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 Request for Issuance of an Emergency Teaching Certificate.
  • Fee: The required fee 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 an evaluation from a Department approved foreign credential evaluation agency.  Please see the "Approved Foreign Credential Evaluation Agencies" list.
  • Request for Emergency Teaching Certificate: A completed and signed request form by the district/charter school superintendent verifying the following:
    • An emergency employment situation exists;
    • The position was advertised on a statewide basis and with a least three career placement offices of higher education institutions; and
    • The district or charter school is participating in any available Board-approved alternative path to certification program(s). This requirement may be waived if a district superintendent or charter school administrator provides evidence that an alternative path to certification program is either not available or not capable of alleviating the emergency employment situation.

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:
    • Official electronic transcripts must be submitted directly by the college or university to [email protected] or through Parchment. 
    • Official paper transcripts must be in a sealed envelope and mailed by the college or university to:
      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.

Accepted Photocopies from the Applicant

  • Emergency Teaching Certificate: Submit the Request for an Emergency Teaching Certificate that is signed by the District/Charter School Superintendent.
  • AZDPS IVP Card. Submit a photocopy of the Arizona DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance card. 

    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 fulfill a specific 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.