- Washington Teacher Certification
Teaching Schools in WA
Teaching Reciprocity Guide
In addition to traditional teacher certification, Washington state also offers options for alternative teacher certification. Alternative teacher preparation programs, also known as non-traditional programs, are designed for those who have a bachelor’s degree outside of education and typically lead to the award of a certificate or master’s degree. These programs particularly seek to recruit teaching candidates in high-need, difficult-to-fill subject areas. If you don’t yet have your bachelor’s degree, see our guide to traditional certification in Washington. If you do have your bachelor’s degree, continue reading to learn more about becoming a teacher in Washington through alternative routes.
Requirements for Alternative Certification
The minimum requirement to pursue alternative certification for teachers in Washington is an associate’s degree, although most routes require at least a bachelor’s. Candidates may then follow one of several paths, which typically require candidates to complete a post-graduate teacher preparation program. These programs can usually be completed in one to two years and lead to a certificate. Candidates may also earn a master’s degree in education, or in a core subject that includes an approved teacher preparation program.
Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses in Washington
To attract qualified teachers to the classroom, Washington offers multiple pathways to alternative teacher certification that are designed for diverse education and experience backgrounds. You must have at least an associate’s degree to begin an alternative route certification program in the state.
Route 1
Route 1 is a pathway to teacher certification for those who are currently licensed as paraeducators in Washington state who have a transferable associate’s degree. This pathway is open to candidates who wish to become endorsed in a teacher shortage area such as bilingual education, early childhood education, English language learners, special education, mathematics, or elementary education. In addition to holding an associate’s degree, candidates for certification through this route must have at least one year of experience as an instructional employee, attempt the state’s basic skills exam, and have validation of their paraeducator credentials and experience from a Washington school district. Qualified candidates must complete an approved teacher preparation program to earn their bachelor’s degree; those following this route typically meet the requirements for certification in two years or less.
Route 2
Similar to the Limited Teaching Certificate, the Route 2 pathway is used primarily when schools have difficulty finding licensed teachers in subject shortage areas. Route 2 alternative teacher certification requires candidates to have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited school and take the state basic skills exam as well as the subject matter assessment for the endorsement sought. Candidates must also have at least one year of teaching (or student interaction) experience. You can find out more about this type of certificate through the Washington Professional Educator Standards Board.
Route 3
Route 3 typically involves partnerships between local school districts and institutions of higher education designed to attract experienced career professionals to the classroom in high-need areas such as chemistry, mathematics, and bilingual education. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited school. Candidates must also pass the Washington Educator Skills Test – Basic (WEST-B) and Deep Content Expertise (WEST-E) exams. Next, candidates must apply to an approved alternate route program to complete a summer teaching academy, which is followed by a year-long mentored teaching internship. You can see a list of programs and specialties offered through the Professional Educator Standards Board. After completing the entire preparation program, the candidate will be eligible for a standard teaching license.
Route 4
Another option for alternative teacher certification in Washington is Route 4. This type of license is available to individuals who hold an appropriate bachelor’s degree who are currently employed in a school district on a conditional or emergency certificate. Route 4 candidates who meet this qualification must attend an approved intensive summer teaching academy and complete a year-long mentored teaching internship to convert their certificate to a standard teaching certificate.
Limited Teaching Certificates: Conditional and Emergency
In addition to the pathways to teacher licensure outlined above, school districts may request conditional or emergency teaching certificates on behalf of candidates who they would like to hire for teaching positions. These certificates are used when a district cannot find fully-licensed educators in specific subjects or areas of need. Candidates for these certificates must be conditionally hired by a school district, and the certificates must be requested by the district on the candidate’s behalf. Additionally, these certificates are not typically considered pathways to professional certification. For more information on these licenses and their requirements, see the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction website.
Career Tech Educator
The Career Tech Educator certificate is a provisional, one-year certificate that is available for those who wish to teach career and technical education subjects but who do not have a full teaching certificate. The candidate must be highly qualified and experienced in the career area to be taught. The certificate must be applied for by the hiring school district and is only valid for one year, though it may be reapplied for in subsequent school years. This type of certificate is usually issued if a school district can not fill a position with a certified educator. Candidates must complete a written training plan while working under this type of license while completing teacher preparation education and working towards an Initial CTE certificate.
Transferring Teaching Licenses from Another State
Out-of-state teachers may be eligible for reciprocity in Washington. Washington does not often recognize reciprocity through the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC). However, the state will evaluate a candidate’s state-approved teacher education program and degree from an accredited school to fulfill Washington’s requirements. Candidates whose education and experience are deemed to meet requirements must typically then pass the Washington state exams for educators, the WEST-B and WEST-E assessments. For further details, visit our guide to teaching license reciprocity.
Schools with Alternative and Master’s Programs in Washington
Prospective teachers in Washington must graduate from an approved teacher certification program. The following school-based preparation programs lead to a certificate or master’s degree and have been approved by the Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB):
- Antioch University* (Alternative, Master’s)
- Bates Technical College* (Alternative CTE only)
- Cascadia Technical College* (Alternative CTE only)
- Central Washington University* (Alternative, Master’s)
- City University of Seattle* (Alternative, Master’s)
- Eastern Washington University* (Alternative, Master’s)
- Evergreen State College (Master’s)
- Gonzaga University (Master’s)
- Grays Harbor College* (Alternative)
- Heritage University* (Alternative, Master’s)
- Northwest University* (Alternative, Master’s)
- Pacific Lutheran University* (Alternative, Master’s)
- Pierce College* (Alternative)
- Saint Martin’s University* (Alternative, Master’s)
- Seattle Pacific University* (Alternative, Master’s)
- Seattle University (Master’s)
- South Seattle College* (Alternative CTE only)
- University of Puget Sound (Master’s)
- University of Washington-Bothell* (Alternative), Seattle* (Alternative, Master’s), Tacoma* (Alternative, Master’s)
- Walla Walla University (Master’s)
- Washington State University-Pullman* (Alternative, Master’s), Tri-Cities (Master’s)
- Western Governors University (Master’s)
- Western Washington University* (Alternative, Master’s)
- Whitworth University (Certificate, Master’s)
- Yakima Valley College* (Alternative)
*Schools with an asterisk offer programs that can include paid classroom placements, subject to qualifications and experience. The student may be responsible for securing their own placement. Contact program(s) of interest for further information.
Additional Resources
- Teacher Certification Reciprocity Guide: Our overview of reciprocity, along with a state-by-state table of guidelines for certification by reciprocity.
- Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), Career and Technical Education Applicants: Provides requirements for certification in career and technical education.
- Washington Professional Educator Standards Board Alternate Routes to Certification Pathway: Overview of available routes for alternative certification in the state, with links to detailed requirements.
References:
1. Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction: https://www.k12.wa.us/
FAQs
Can you teach without certification in Washington state? ›
All educators must receive a residency teacher certificate to teach in Washington State.
How to become a certified substitute teacher in Washington state? ›To obtain a certificate in Washington in substitute teaching, you need to complete an accredited undergraduate program and a state-approved teacher education program. Unlike the certificate for regular teaching, there are no exam requirements.
How to get a teaching certificate if you already have a bachelor's degree? ›How many years do you have to study to be a teacher? The minimum number of years to become a qualified school teacher is four years. If you already have a bachelor's degree, you can complete a one-year PGCE to become a teacher, but the minimum time of total study is still four years.
What is p12 teacher certification? ›About the Undergraduate P-12 Certification Programs
Interdisciplinary programs offer students the opportunity to obtain teaching certification for pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade in the disciplines of Art, Music (Choral and Instrumental), and Theatre.
Washington Teacher Education Requirements
Teachers in Washington are required to earn a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. In addition, a Washington teacher preparation program that has been approved by the Professional Educator Standards Board must be completed.
Before you start teaching for the first time in NSW, you will need to apply for Conditional or Provisional accreditation from NESA. Conditional Accreditation is granted if you have successfully completed an undergraduate degree or at least 3 years of a 4 year undergraduate teaching degree.
How much do subs get paid in Washington state? ›Average Seattle Public Schools Substitute Teacher yearly pay in Washington State is approximately $50,081, which is 37% above the national average.
How much does a substitute get paid in Washington state? ›How much does a Certified Substitute Teacher make in Washington? The salary range for a Certified Substitute Teacher job is from $38,252 to $52,357 per year in Washington.
How much do substitute teachers make a day in Washington state? ›| Years of experience | Per day |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | $146 |
| 1 to 2 years | $133 |
| 3 to 5 years | - |
| 6 to 9 years | - |
KPSC Age Limit and Age Relaxation
To apply for the teacher recruitment exam, a candidate must be between 21-42 years.
How do you be a teacher if you already have a degree? ›
The Professional Teaching Certification (PTC) program is a non-degree program designed for individuals who have completed a Bachelor's degree in any field and who intend to teach at the secondary education level.
How much does a teacher earn a month? ›Average R 16 691 per month.
What is the best teaching certification? ›| Rank | Certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) | BLI |
| 2 | Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) | Microsoft |
| 3 | Child Development Associate (CDA) | CECPR |
| 4 | First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor | NSC |
p12 contains both the private and the public key, and also information about the owner (name, email address, etc. ) all being certified by a third party. With such certificate, a user can identify himself and authenticate himself to any organization trusting the third party.
What is an SSL teacher? ›SSL is an acronym for Student Service Learning. All students working toward Maryland State Department of Education diplomas must complete student service learning hours in addition to the graduation requirements of enrollment, credit, courses and competencies.
What disqualifies you from becoming a teacher in Washington state? ›Anyone wishing to teach children must be clear of any sexually related offenses. This includes child molestation, sexual battery, or lewd and lascivious conduct against a minor or an adult. A sexual offender or predator need not even apply to teach children.
Can you teach with a bachelor's degree in Washington state? ›Washington requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree and a state-approved teacher preparation program. Since you already have a bachelor's degree, you could enroll in a 'cert only' or master's program.
How much do teachers get paid in Washington state? ›How much does a Public School Teacher make in Washington? The average Public School Teacher salary in Washington is $59,999 as of February 27, 2023, but the range typically falls between $50,106 and $73,168.
Who Cannot do teach? ›'Those who can't do, teach' is a truncation of the line 'Those who can, do; those who can't, teach' from George Bernard Shaw's 1905 stage play Man and Superman. Over a century later, and the derogatory phrase oft slung at educators stubbornly persists.
Can you be a teacher without teacher training? ›No. Contrary to popular belief, you do not need a PGCE to teach. All you need is QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) or the equivalent, QTLS (Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills). The PGCE is an additional qualification earned alongside QTS.
What happens if you fail your teacher suitability interview? ›
If you do not complete the online teacher suitability assessments and online interview within the allocated time frame, your application for approval to teach in NSW public schools will be unable to proceed and your interim casual teaching approval may lapse.
Who pays most for substitute teachers? ›...
1. Arizona.
When substitute teachers are employed by a school district, they are subject to income tax withholding and receive an annual W-2 form that reports their earnings. In addition, the employer must withhold and pay Social Security and Medicare taxes and submit unemployment taxes on the employee's wages.
How much does Jersey Mike's pay Washington state? ›How much does a Restaurant Staff make at Jersey Mike's in Washington State? Average Jersey Mike's Restaurant Staff hourly pay in Washington State is approximately $19.24, which is 51% above the national average.
Is being a substitute worth it? ›Subbing for full-time teachers can be a rewarding and engaging career. The long-term prospects for substitute teachers are relatively stable, and the pay is consistent with other educators.
How much do subs make in Seattle? ›| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| Top Earners | $47,583 | $23 |
| 75th Percentile | $37,850 | $18 |
| Average | $31,861 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $25,954 | $12 |
The average salary for a substitute teacher in Seattle, WA is $36,500 per year.
How much does a substitute get paid in Lake Washington School District? ›The average salary for Substitute Teacher at Lake Washington School District in Redmond is $191 per day, which is 60% above the national average.
How much do substitute teachers make in Lake Washington School District? ›Average Lake Washington School District Substitute Teacher daily pay in the United States is approximately $191, which is 60% above the national average.
How much does a Substitute Teacher make per day in Oregon? ›Average Edustaff Substitute Teacher daily pay in Oregon is approximately $193, which is 61% above the national average.
Can I train to be a teacher at 50? ›
Whether you're a fresh graduate or have 30 years' experience in an entirely different industry, you are still capable of being a successful teacher and can make a meaningful impact on the students you teach. So, there's no need to worry about whether you're too old, or if there's a cut-off age limit.
Should I become a teacher at 50? ›Wherever you are in your journey to becoming a teacher, don't let your age be a factor. Students and schools need all kinds of teachers. Your experience will most likely be an asset: part of what makes your teaching and your classroom uniquely valuable to your school community. In short, it's never too late to teach!
How old is the average teacher in the US? ›| Age category | ||
|---|---|---|
| State | Average age of teachers | Less than 30 years |
| United States | 42.4 | 15.3 |
| Alabama | 41.9 | 15.6 |
| Alaska | 43.2 | 15.7 |
Holding a teaching degree may qualify you for jobs in business, non-profit organizations, publishing, government and more. So, if you're a teacher who is considering a second career, know there are many companies that are eager to hire you, the ex-teacher.
Can I teach after degree? ›Eligibility to become a Teacher
In addition to their undergraduate and graduate degrees in their subject of choice, teachers in the country must also complete a B. Ed. Students wanting to specialise and teach at higher levels can also obtain an M. Ed.
The primary distinction is that the master's in teaching focuses more directly on teaching and classroom management. In contrast, the master's in education is a broader degree, applicable to a classroom career but also to jobs in administration, curriculum development, and education policy.
What is a Level 1 teacher? ›Post Level 1 teachers include underqualified teachers, teachers, senior teachers and master teachers. There is a distinction in the remuneration of teachers, with those underqualified with diploma qualifications for example, being paid with a 'Relative Education Qualification Value (REQV)' of 13.
How much do most teachers make a week? ›As of Mar 3, 2023, the average weekly pay for a Teacher in the United States is $633 a week. While ZipRecruiter is seeing weekly wages as high as $1,038 and as low as $298, the majority of Teacher wages currently range between $461 (25th percentile) to $711 (75th percentile) across the United States.
How much do primary teachers get paid? ›The average salary amounts mentioned in this article are annual estimates, with the average annual salary for a primary school teacher being R192,637.
What is the fastest program to become a teacher? ›iTeach is the fastest alternative teacher preparation program. Students complete just six months of online asynchronous coursework, then transition into a year-long paid teaching residency designed to help students get professional experience before applying for full-time teaching positions.
What is the most prestigious credential a teacher can earn? ›
Certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is the highest credential in the teaching profession. National Board-certified teachers are recognized as among the best in the profession.
What is the highest degree for teaching? ›Doctoral Degrees in Education
Teachers who wish to increase their skills for advanced certification requirements or other professional objectives can complete a Doctorate in Education or Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction to help them achieve leadership roles and earn higher pay.
p12 files have both halves of the key embedded, so that administrators can easily manage halves of keys. . cert or . crt files are the signed certificates -- basically the "magic" that allows certain sites to be marked as trustworthy by a third party.
What is the purpose of p12 certificate? ›PKCS#12 (P12) files define an archive file format for storing cryptographic objects as a single file. API Connect supports the P12 file format for uploading a keystore and truststore. The keystore should contain both a private and public key along with intermediate CA certificates.
What is difference between p12 and PFX? ›p12 is an alternate extension for what is generally referred to as a "PFX file", it's the combined format that holds the private key and certificate and is the format most modern signing utilities use. If you have a . p12 file that you exported from Firefox or Safari just rename the . p12 extension to .
Is it worth paying for SSL certificate? ›Without SSL, your site visitors and customers are at higher risk of being having their data stolen. Your site security is also at risk without encryption. SSL protects website from phishing scams, data breaches, and many other threats. Ultimately, It builds a secure environment for both visitors and site owners.
Is an SSL certificate worth it? ›An SSL certificate secures your website to protect important customer data from cybercriminals. If you collect personal information from customers, whether it's credit card numbers or something as simple as an email address, your website needs an SSL certificate, even if you don't sell anything.
What are the 3 types of SSL certificates? ›- Extended Validation (EV)
- Organization Validation (OV)
- Domain Validation (DV)
You can start teaching online without any experience. So there you have it, all the platforms that let you teach English online without experience. Just remember, a TEFL certificate is a requirement for most reputable online teaching jobs.
Is there a need for teachers in Washington state? ›The number one teacher role experiencing staffing shortages in 2021 was elementary education, followed by special education, according to PESB. The state of Washington has had a teacher shortage in special education going back more than 30 years, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
How can I become a teacher without qualifications? ›
This could be by taking up a role as a cover supervisor or teaching assistant, volunteering in a school, or through our Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship, where you can earn while you learn. This way you'll know that teaching is what you want to do before committing to a degree.
How do I go from TA to teacher? ›If you have been working in a classroom for a significant amount of time, as a teaching assistant or in a similar role, you may be able to get qualified teacher status (QTS) through a 12-week 'assessment only' programme. You must also have a degree. You'll need to show that you already meet the standards for QTS.
How do I get a teaching certificate? ›- Choose a bachelor's degree and teacher preparation program. The traditional route to certification in any state begins with earning an undergraduate degree. ...
- Complete a student teaching experience. ...
- Take your state's required exam(s) for educators. ...
- Apply for teacher certification.
The average online teaching salary in South Africa is R 240 000 per year or R 123 per hour.
Can I teach online with a bachelor's degree? ›You can pursue a variety of online teaching jobs from home with only a bachelor's degree, even if your degree is not in education. Although many online schools prefer teachers with certification, demand is growing for teachers, tutors, and test scorers without professional licensing.
Where I can teach online and earn money? ›...
Some of the best platforms for teaching are:
- Chegg.
- Byju's.
- Vedantu.
- Unacademy.
- Khan Academy.
- Skill Share.
- Udemy.
Which teaching subject is most in demand? While specific needs vary by institution, science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are subjects that are always in high demand.
What state has the highest teacher shortage? ›For the 2022-2023 school year, Michigan had the most teacher shortages in math, science, world languages, health and physical fitness, art and music, language arts, English as a second language, special education, social studies and career and technical education, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Why is Washington the best state for teachers? ›In fact, it's the fifth best state in the country for teachers, in part because of high annual salaries, according to WalletHub. The personal finance website compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia among 24 metrics in two prominent categories: “opportunity & competition” and “academic & work environment.”
What is the highest paying school district in WA state? ›- Snohomish School District. 4.1 $59.56per hour. 21 reviews6 salaries reported.
- Edmonds School District. 4.2 $56.93per hour. ...
- Evergreen Public Schools. 4.0 $55.20per hour. ...
- Tacoma Public Schools. 3.8 $52.66per hour. ...
- Issaquah School District. 4.2 $51.93per hour. ...
- Show more companies.
What is the highest paying state for teachers? ›
| Rank | State | Average Teacher Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | $61,254 |
| 2 | Hawaii | $59,222 |
| 3 | New York | $57,919 |
| 4 | California | $57,193 |
In 2021, the average K-12 public school teacher nationwide was paid $65,090. Average teacher pay was the highest in New York at $87,738, followed by Massachusetts and California.