AZ certification

Arizona teacher certification

Arizona reports 22 teaching credentials and 2 alternative routes to Title II, and licensed 6,175 new teachers in the latest year.

Credential rules change. Confirm current requirements with Arizona Department of Education.

Teaching credentials in Arizona

Each row is a credential Arizona reported to Title II. Initial means a first credential for a new teacher. Years is the length of validity.

Arizona credentials
Credential	Initial	Years	Renewable	Grade levels
Alternative Teaching Certificate	Yes	2	Yes	PK-12, PK-12, PK-12
Classroom-based Teaching Certificate	Yes	12	Yes	EC-8, 5-9, 6-12
Emergency Teaching Certificate (Birth-12)	No	1	Yes	EC-12, 5-9, 6-12
Native American Language Certificate (PreK-12)	No	12	Yes	PK-12, PK-12, PK-12
Specialized Secondary Science Technology Engineering or Mathematics (STEM)	Yes	12	Yes	6-12
Standard Career and Technical Education, K-12	No	12	Yes	K-12, K-12, K-12
Standard Professional Arts Education Certificate (PreK-12)	Yes	12	Yes	PK-12, PK-12, PK-12
Standard Professional Dance Education (PreK-12)	Yes	12	Yes	PK-12, PK-12, PK-12
Standard Professional Early Childhood Education (Birth-Age 8 or Grade 3)	Yes	12	Yes	EC-3
Standard Professional Early Childhood Special Education Certificate (Birth- Age 8 or Grade 3)	Yes	12	Yes	EC-3
Standard Professional Elementary Education (K-8)	Yes	12	Yes	K-8, 5-8
Standard Professional Hearing Impaired Certificate (Birth- Grade 12)	Yes	12	Yes	EC-12, EC-12, EC-12
Standard Professional Mild/Moderate Disabilities Certificate (K-12)	Yes	12	Yes	K-12, K-12, K-12
Standard Professional Moderate/Severe Disabilities Certificate (K-12)	Yes	12	Yes	K-12, K-12, K-12
Standard Professional Music Education (PreK-12)	Yes	12	Yes	PK-12, PK-12, PK-12
Standard Professional Physical Education (PreK-12)	Yes	12	Yes	PK-12, PK-12, PK-12
Standard Professional Secondary Education (6-12)	Yes	12	Yes	6-12
Standard Professional Theater Education Certificate (PreK-12)	Yes	12	Yes	PK-12, PK-12, PK-12
Standard Professional Visually Impaired Certificate (Birth- Grade 12)	Yes	12	Yes	K-12, K-12, K-12
Standard Specialized Career and Technical Education, K-12	No	12	Yes	K-12, K-12, K-12
Student Teaching Intern Certificate (PreK-12)	No	1	Yes	PK-12, PK-12, PK-12
Subject Matter Expert Standard Teaching Certificate (6-12)	No	12	Yes	6-12, 6-12

Requirements

Yes means the state reports the item as required for that credential. Tests shows only whether tests are required; Title II does not name the tests.

Credential	Bachelor's	Master's	Education degree	Prep program	Tests	Performance assessment	Clinical	Coursework	Credit hours	Min. GPA	Transcripts	Employment	Mentoring	Recency	Background check	Fingerprint	Police check
Alternative Teaching Certificate	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Classroom-based Teaching Certificate	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Emergency Teaching Certificate (Birth-12)	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Native American Language Certificate (PreK-12)	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Specialized Secondary Science Technology Engineering or Mathematics (STEM)	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Standard Career and Technical Education, K-12	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Standard Professional Arts Education Certificate (PreK-12)	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Standard Professional Dance Education (PreK-12)	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Standard Professional Early Childhood Education (Birth-Age 8 or Grade 3)	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Standard Professional Early Childhood Special Education Certificate (Birth- Age 8 or Grade 3)	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Standard Professional Elementary Education (K-8)	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Standard Professional Hearing Impaired Certificate (Birth- Grade 12)	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Standard Professional Mild/Moderate Disabilities Certificate (K-12)	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Standard Professional Moderate/Severe Disabilities Certificate (K-12)	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Standard Professional Music Education (PreK-12)	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Standard Professional Physical Education (PreK-12)	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Standard Professional Secondary Education (6-12)	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Standard Professional Theater Education Certificate (PreK-12)	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Standard Professional Visually Impaired Certificate (Birth- Grade 12)	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Standard Specialized Career and Technical Education, K-12	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Student Teaching Intern Certificate (PreK-12)	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No
Subject Matter Expert Standard Teaching Certificate (6-12)	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No

Verify a teaching license in Arizona

Teaching licenses in Arizona are verified on the lookup service run by Arizona Department of Education. Search there by the teacher's name or certificate number to see current status.

PT3 does not verify licenses and holds no records of individual teachers.

Renewal

Renew times is how many times the credential can be renewed; renewal years is the length of each renewal.

Renewal
Credential	Renewable	Renew times	Renewal years	Details
Alternative Teaching Certificate	Yes	2	1	Progress in Preparation Program
Classroom-based Teaching Certificate	Yes	99	12	15 clock hours of professional development per year of issuance.
Emergency Teaching Certificate (Birth-12)	Yes	2	1	A request for re-issuance of the Emergency certificate from the district or charter school.
Native American Language Certificate (PreK-12)	Yes	99	12	Renewable certificates may be renewed with proof of 15 clock hours of professional development activities for each year of the certificate term. *One semester hour of college coursework is equivalent to 15 clock hours of professional development activities.
Specialized Secondary Science Technology Engineering or Mathematics (STEM)	Yes	99	12	Renewable certificates may be renewed with proof of 15 clock hours of professional development activities for each year of the certificate term. *One semester hour of college coursework is equivalent to 15 clock hours of professional development activities.
Standard Career and Technical Education, K-12	Yes	99	12	Renewable certificates may be renewed with proof of 15 clock hours of professional development activities for each year of the certificate term. *One semester hour of college coursework is equivalent to 15 clock hours of professional development activities.
Standard Professional Arts Education Certificate (PreK-12)	Yes	99	12	Renewable certificates may be renewed with proof of 15 clock hours of professional development activities for each year of the certificate term. *One semester hour of college coursework is equivalent to 15 clock hours of professional development activities.
Standard Professional Dance Education (PreK-12)	Yes	99	12	Renewable certificates may be renewed with proof of 15 clock hours of professional development activities for each year of the certificate term. *One semester hour of college coursework is equivalent to 15 clock hours of professional development activities.
Standard Professional Early Childhood Education (Birth-Age 8 or Grade 3)	Yes	99	12	Renewable certificates may be renewed with proof of 15 clock hours of professional development activities for each year of the certificate term. *One semester hour of college coursework is equivalent to 15 clock hours of professional development activities.
Standard Professional Early Childhood Special Education Certificate (Birth- Age 8 or Grade 3)	Yes	99	12	Renewable certificates may be renewed with proof of 15 clock hours of professional development activities for each year of the certificate term. *One semester hour of college coursework is equivalent to 15 clock hours of professional development activities.
Standard Professional Elementary Education (K-8)	Yes	99	12	Renewable certificates may be renewed with proof of 15 clock hours of professional development activities for each year of the certificate term. *One semester hour of college coursework is equivalent to 15 clock hours of professional development activities.
Standard Professional Hearing Impaired Certificate (Birth- Grade 12)	Yes	99	12	Renewable certificates may be renewed with proof of 15 clock hours of professional development activities for each year of the certificate term. *One semester hour of college coursework is equivalent to 15 clock hours of professional development activities.
Standard Professional Mild/Moderate Disabilities Certificate (K-12)	Yes	99	12	Renewable certificates may be renewed with proof of 15 clock hours of professional development activities for each year of the certificate term. *One semester hour of college coursework is equivalent to 15 clock hours of professional development activities.
Standard Professional Moderate/Severe Disabilities Certificate (K-12)	Yes	99	12	Renewable certificates may be renewed with proof of 15 clock hours of professional development activities for each year of the certificate term. *One semester hour of college coursework is equivalent to 15 clock hours of professional development activities.
Standard Professional Music Education (PreK-12)	Yes	99	12	Renewable certificates may be renewed with proof of 15 clock hours of professional development activities for each year of the certificate term. *One semester hour of college coursework is equivalent to 15 clock hours of professional development activities.
Standard Professional Physical Education (PreK-12)	Yes	99	12	Renewable certificates may be renewed with proof of 15 clock hours of professional development activities for each year of the certificate term. *One semester hour of college coursework is equivalent to 15 clock hours of professional development activities.
Standard Professional Secondary Education (6-12)	Yes	99	12	Renewable certificates may be renewed with proof of 15 clock hours of professional development activities for each year of the certificate term. *One semester hour of college coursework is equivalent to 15 clock hours of professional development activities.
Standard Professional Theater Education Certificate (PreK-12)	Yes	99	12	Renewable certificates may be renewed with proof of 15 clock hours of professional development activities for each year of the certificate term. *One semester hour of college coursework is equivalent to 15 clock hours of professional development activities.
Standard Professional Visually Impaired Certificate (Birth- Grade 12)	Yes	99	12	Renewable certificates may be renewed with proof of 15 clock hours of professional development activities for each year of the certificate term. *One semester hour of college coursework is equivalent to 15 clock hours of professional development activities.
Standard Specialized Career and Technical Education, K-12	Yes	99	12	Renewable certificates may be renewed with proof of 15 clock hours of professional development activities for each year of the certificate term. *One semester hour of college coursework is equivalent to 15 clock hours of professional development activities.
Student Teaching Intern Certificate (PreK-12)	Yes	2	1	Verification that the holder is still enrolled in a teacher preparation program and completion of required coursework to show adequate progress toward program completion.
Subject Matter Expert Standard Teaching Certificate (6-12)	Yes	99	12	Renewable certificates may be renewed with proof of 15 clock hours of professional development activities for each year of the certificate term. *One semester hour of college coursework is equivalent to 15 clock hours of professional development activities.

Emergency and temporary credentials

Emergency credentials
Credential	Initial	Years	Renewable	Grade levels
Alternative Teaching Certificate	Yes	2	Yes	PK-12, PK-12, PK-12
Emergency Teaching Certificate (Birth-12)	No	1	Yes	EC-12, 5-9, 6-12
Student Teaching Intern Certificate (PreK-12)	No	1	Yes	PK-12, PK-12, PK-12

Out-of-state teachers

Title II lists no separate out-of-state credential for Arizona. Ask Arizona Department of Education how it reviews licenses from other states.

Newly licensed teachers prepared out of state: 2,231.

Alternative routes

Alternative Pathways to Certification (teach while completing)
Classroom-based Alternate Pathway (teach while completing)

All alternative routes in Arizona

About Arizona certification

This is the guiding vision of the Arizona Department of Education, the state agency tasked with overseeing Arizona's K-12 public education system. Our department, led by a publicly elected Superintendent of Public Instruction, comprises more than 600 staff across four state offices working to serve Arizona's students, families, educators, and school communities.

How to become a teacher in Arizona Arizona teacher preparation providers

Frequently asked questions

How do I get a teaching certificate in Arizona?

Arizona reports 22 credentials to Title II, 16 of them initial. 16 initial credentials require a bachelor's degree, 2 require a preparation program and 14 require tests. Apply through Arizona Department of Education.

How do I verify a teaching license in Arizona?

Licenses are verified on the lookup service run by Arizona Department of Education. PT3 does not verify licenses.

Can I renew a Arizona teaching certificate?

22 of 22 Arizona credentials are reported as renewable. Renewal details by credential are listed in the Renewal section.

Does Arizona issue emergency or temporary teaching certificates?

Yes. Title II lists 3: Alternative Teaching Certificate; Emergency Teaching Certificate (Birth-12); Student Teaching Intern Certificate (PreK-12).

Can I teach in Arizona with an out-of-state license?

Title II lists no separate out-of-state credential for Arizona. Ask Arizona Department of Education how it reviews licenses from other states.

Is there alternative teacher certification in Arizona?

Yes. Arizona reports 2 alternative routes to Title II.