Teacher Leader, PreK-12 Endorsement

• Prerequisite Certificate: Applicants must hold a valid Arizona Standard Professional teaching certificate, Classroom-Based Standard Teaching certificate, International Teaching certificate, or Standard Career and Technical Education 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.
• Teaching Experience: Provide verification of at least three years of full-time teaching experience in PreK-Grade 12. Use the Verification of PreK-12 Teaching Experience form for instructions on verifying teaching experience. Note: This form must be sent directly by the school or district human resources office to the ADE Certification Unit.
• Official Transcripts: Have the college, university, or Arizona Board-approved training provider send official transcripts documenting all applicable coursework.
  • If you are using college coursework completed at an institution based outside of the United States a foreign credential evaluation from an Arizona Department of Education approved agency is required.
• Verification of Practicum or Experience: Submit one of the following:

  • Written verification from an accredited institution or Arizona State Board of Education‑approved training provider confirming completion of at least 15 clock hours of practicum in school leadership or administration as part of your coursework; or

  • Verification from a district/school HR director or superintendent confirming at least two years of part‑time or full‑time experience in a PreK–12 school leadership position.

Prerequisite Certificate

• A valid Arizona Standard Professional teaching certificate, Classroom-Based Standard Teaching certificate, International Teaching certificate, or Standard Career and Technical Education certificate.

Teaching Experience (3 Years)

• Verification of three years of full-time teaching experience in PreK-12.

Coursework or Approved Training

• Completion of fifteen semester hours of education courses*, that align with the Arizona Teacher Leader Professional Standards described in R7-2-602.02 and include all of the following:
  • Principles and facilitation of adult learning;
  • Data analysis and the use of current educational research;
  • Collaboration and continuous improvement strategies;
  • Professional learning, coaching principles, and constructive feedback;
  • School culture, climate, and professionalism.

* Completion of Board-approved training from a professional education organization may substitute for the semester hours of courses. Fifteen clock hours of training, or the equivalent competency-based credential, is equivalent to one semester hour.

Practicum or Experience

Completion of one of the following:

• A minimum of 15 clock hours of supervised practicum or field experience in a PreK-12 teacher leader or administrative role. The practicum or field experience may be embedded in the required education courses or Board-approved trainings; -OR-
• Verification of at least two years of part-time or full-time experience in a PreK-12 school leadership position.

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.
• Verification of Teaching Experience: Request that the district/school human resources office complete and submit the Verification of PreK-12 Teaching Experience form following the instructions on the form.
• Verification of Administrative Experience: Request that the district/school human resources office complete and submit the Verification of Leadership Experience form 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.