From the Educator Certification Blog
September 2022 Certification Updates
Mon, Oct 3 2022
Certification Changes and Updates
Updates to Certification Rules
Library-Media Specialist, PreK-12 Endorsement
Endorsement Information
Overview: The Library-Media Specialist, PreK-12 endorsement is optional but may be required by local governing boards. This endorsement will automatically renew with the certificate on which it is attached. Requirements may be subject to change and are fully referenced in the Arizona Revised Statutes and Administrative Code: R7-2-601, R-2-607, R7-2-615(O), and R7-2-621.
Out-of-state certificate or National Board Teaching Certificate: If you hold a valid, comparable out-of-state educator certificate/license that is in good standing, or a valid, comparable National Board Teaching Certificate, follow this link for information and steps to apply under reciprocity.
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 endorsement is $60. Per Board-rule, certification fees are non-refundable.
- AZDPS IVP Card: A valid Arizona DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card.
- Prerequisite Certificate: A valid Arizona Elementary, Middle Grades, Secondary, Early Childhood, or Special Education Certificate.
- Teaching Experience: Verification of one year of full-time teaching experience. Please have your district/school human resources office complete and submit the Verification of PreK-12 Teaching Experience form.
- Subject Knowledge Proficiency: Submit a copy of the official score report documenting you passed the AEPA/NES School Library Media Specialist (NT502) exam results, or appropriate documentation to meet the subject knowledge requirement.
Applicants must meet all requirements.
- Prerequisite Certificate: A valid Arizona Elementary, Secondary, Early Childhood, or Special Education Certificate. -AND-
- Teaching Experience: Verification of one year of full-time teaching experience. -AND-
- Subject Knowledge Proficiency: One of the following:
- Arizona Educator Exam: A passing score on the AEPA/NES School Library Media Specialist (NT 502) exam.
- Out-of-State Exam: A passing score on a similar exam from another state or agency.
- Degree in Library Science: Official transcripts documenting a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate degree in Library Science from an accredited institution. If you completed your degree 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 for further information.
- Teaching Experience: Verification of three years of full-time experience as a PreK-12 school library-media specialist in any state, including Arizona.
- Experience as a Library-Media Specialist in a foreign country does not meet this requirement.
Documents Requiring Submission by the Verifying Authority
- Verification of Teaching Experience: Please forward the Verification of PreK-12 Teaching Experience form to your school/district human resources office with a request to verify your experience. The form must be submitted by school/district human resources to [email protected].
- 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].
- 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 to meet certification requirements, please 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 directly by an official with the state agency.
- If you are using Praxis exam(s), please have your scores reported by ETS to the Arizona Department of Education (8517).
Accepted Photocopies From the Applicant
- AZDPS IVP Card: Submit a photocopy of the Arizona DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance card.
- Arizona Exams: Submit a photocopy of the AEPA/NES exam official score report.
