Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Birth-Grade 12 Endorsement

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.

• Prerequisite Certificate: You hold a valid Arizona Standard Professional Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle Grades, Secondary, Mild/Moderate Disabilities, Moderate/Severe Disabilities, Early Childhood Special Education, Specialized Special Education, Cross-Categorical Special Education, or Visually Impaired Certificate.
• Application: A completed Application for Certification.
• Fee: The fee for this endorsement is $60. Fees are non-refundable.
• AZDPS IVP Card: Verify through the My Certification Portal that your valid Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) IVP fingerprint clearance card is on file with ADE or include a photocopy of the AZDPS IVP card with your application.
• Official Transcripts: Official transcripts documenting 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" list.
• Teaching Experience: Three years of full-time teaching experience in PreK-Grade 12.  Please 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. 
• Verification of Practicum Hours: A letter from a college or university department chair or designee verifying completion of 90 clock hours of practicum in a deaf/hard of hearing classroom.

Prerequisite Certificate

• A valid Arizona Standard Professional Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle Grades, Secondary, Mild/Moderate Disabilities, Moderate/Severe Disabilities, Early Childhood Special Education, Specialized Special Education, Cross-Categorical Special Education, or Visually Impaired Certificate.

Teaching Experience

• Three years of full-time teaching experience in PreK-Grade 12.

Special Education Coursework

• Six (6) semester hours of special education coursework to include all of the following:
  • Behavior management for students with disabilities; 
  • Special education assessment and individualized education program planning;
  • The use of instructional and assistive technologies in the classroom.

Deaf/Hard of Hearing Education Coursework

• Fifteen (15) semester hours of courses in deaf/hard of hearing education that adheres to a guidance document approved by the Board and include all of the following:
  • Methods for facilitating language acquisition and literacy development in children who are deaf or hard of hearing;
  • Auditory skill development for students who are deaf or hard of hearing;
  • Assessment of students who are deaf or hard of hearing;
  • Principles of audiology;
  • Social and cultural foundations and family involvement for students who are deaf/hard of hearing;
  • Early intervention and parental involvement to enhance the early language skills of students who are deaf or hard of hearing;
  • Methods for teaching students who are deaf or hard of hearing with multiple disabilities, including deaf-blindness.

Practicum

• Completion of 90 clock hours of supervised practicum in teaching students who are deaf/hard of hearing, which may be included in the courses listed above.

American Sign Language (ASL)

• Verification of American Sign Language experience documented with one of the following:
  • Six semester hours of courses in American Sign Language; -OR-
  • A letter from a department chair or designee at an accredited college or university verifying proficiency in American Sign Language from; -OR-
  • A passing score on an American Sign Language proficiency assessment approved by the Board.  An applicant who meets the ASL requirement under this option may qualify for a Deaf/Hard of Hearing endorsement with an ASL designation.  The Board has approved the following ASL proficiency exams and passing scores:
    • A passing score of Level Four on the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) developed by Gallaudet University. Please visit "How to Submit Official Documents" for information on how to report your exam scores*
    • A passing score of “Advanced” on the Sign Language Proficiency Interview: American Sign Language (SLPI: ASL) exam developed by the Rochester Institute of Technology. Submit the official score report.*.

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 directly 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.
• Verification of Teaching Experience: Request that the district/school human resources office complete and submit the Verification of PreK-12 Teaching Experience following the instructions on the form.
• Exam Results: Please have the original, official score report sent directly by the verifying authority to  [email protected] or mailed to: Arizona Department of Education - Certification Unit; PO Box 6490, Phoenix, AZ 85005-6490.

Accepted Photocopies from the Applicant

• AZDPS IVP Card: Submit a photocopy of the Arizona DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance card. 
• Practicum: Submit a copy of the letter (on official letterhead) signed by a college/university administrator verifying completion of the required practicum hours.