Educator Certification: Reciprocity
Standard Certificates Under Reciprocity Rules
The Arizona Department of Education Certification Unit will reciprocate with all states and may issue a comparable teaching, administrative, or professional non-teaching certificate to an applicant who holds a valid, comparable certificate in another state and is in good standing in that other state.
Applicants may also qualify to add additional approved areas or endorsements to existing teaching certificates if they hold a valid, comparable approved area or endorsement in another state. Individuals who qualify under Certification Reciprocity Rules are exempt from Arizona educator exam requirements.
We will not reciprocate expired, temporary, or non-renewable certificates/licenses.
The fee is $60 per certificate, endorsement, or approved area. Per Board-rule certification fees are non-refundable.
The following documents should be submitted to apply under Certification Reciprocity:
- A photocopy of your valid Arizona Department of Public Safety Identity Verified Prints (IVP) fingerprint clearance card.
- A photocopy of your valid, comparable out-of-state educator certificate or National Board Certificate.
- Your official transcripts or foreign credential evaluation submitted to [email protected] by your institution.
- Exams or work experience are not required under reciprocity rules.
Allowable Deficiencies
Please be aware that applicants coming from another state are required to have U.S. Constitution and Arizona State Constitution. These are allowable deficiencies for 1 or 3 years, depending on the area of certification, and the certificate will be issued without meeting these requirements. If these requirements are not met within the allowable time the certificate will be placed on non-disciplinary suspension. Once the deficiency is met, the certificate will be extended back to its original end date. Deficiency removal information may be found here.
Apply Online
Question: What if my certificate from another state is deemed inactive?
Answer: An inactive certificate from another state will not meet the requirements for certification under reciprocity rules. In order to qualify under reciprocity, the applicant must hold a valid, comparable certificate from another state and be in good standing with that other state. In order to meet these requirements, the out-of-state certificate must be valid for employment in public schools.
Question: What teaching certificates are not reciprocal?
Answer: Until your application and required documents are evaluated by the Certification Unit, we cannot ensure that your out-of-state certificate will meet requirements under reciprocity rules. Please be aware that out-of-state certificates must be comparable to an Arizona Standard certificate. Out-of-State Emergency Teaching or Alternative Teaching certificates will not be accepted.
Question: I graduated from a teacher preparation program in another state, but I do not hold an out-of-state certificate. How can I qualify for an Arizona teaching certificate?
Answer: You may qualify for an Arizona teaching certificate by meeting the specific coursework and exam requirements for that certificate. You may review the requirements for all Arizona educator certificates at our Certificates and Requirements page.
To apply via mail using a paper application, see the requirements document for the certification you are wanting to reciprocate to.
