WA certification

Washington teacher certification

Washington reports 7 teaching credentials and 4 alternative routes to Title II, and licensed 5,216 new teachers in the latest year.

Credential rules change. Confirm current requirements with Professional Educator Standards Board.

Teaching credentials in Washington

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

Washington credentials
Credential	Initial	Years	Renewable	Grade levels
Conditional Certificate	Yes	2	Yes	EC-12, EC-12, EC-12
Emergency certificate	Yes	1	Yes	EC-12, EC-12, EC-12
Emergency Substitute Certificate	No	2	Yes	EC-12, EC-12, EC-12
Professional Certificate	No	5	Yes	EC-12, EC-12, EC-12
Residency Certificate	Yes	5	Yes	EC-12, EC-12, EC-12
Substitute certificate	No	99	No	EC-12, EC-12, EC-12
Transitional certificate	No	2	No	EC-12, EC-12, EC-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
Conditional Certificate	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Emergency certificate	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Emergency Substitute Certificate	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Professional Certificate	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Residency Certificate	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Substitute certificate	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Transitional certificate	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes

Verify a teaching license in Washington

Teaching licenses in Washington are verified on the lookup service run by Professional Educator Standards Board. 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
Conditional Certificate	Yes	99	2	The certificate holder must complete 50 clock hours or the equivalent in credits subsequent to the issuance, and prior to the reissuance, of the certificate.
Emergency certificate	Yes	1	1	Program recommendation
Emergency Substitute Certificate	Yes	99	2	Same as for initial issuance.
Professional Certificate	Yes	99	5	Renewal requirements:Professional certificates may be renewed with: 100 clock hours or the equivalent in college credit or professional growth plans Or by possession of a valid certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
Residency Certificate	Yes	99	2	Residency certificates may be renewed with: -100 clock hours or the equivalent in college credit or completion of professional growth plans
Substitute certificate	No	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Transitional certificate	No	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported

Emergency and temporary credentials

Emergency credentials
Credential	Initial	Years	Renewable	Grade levels
Conditional Certificate	Yes	2	Yes	EC-12, EC-12, EC-12
Emergency certificate	Yes	1	Yes	EC-12, EC-12, EC-12
Emergency Substitute Certificate	No	2	Yes	EC-12, EC-12, EC-12
Transitional certificate	No	2	No	EC-12, EC-12, EC-12

Out-of-state teachers

Title II lists no separate out-of-state credential for Washington. Ask Professional Educator Standards Board how it reviews licenses from other states.

Newly licensed teachers prepared out of state: 2,063.

Substitute teaching

Substitute credentials
Credential	Initial	Years	Renewable	Grade levels
Emergency Substitute Certificate	No	2	Yes	EC-12, EC-12, EC-12
Substitute certificate	No	99	No	EC-12, EC-12, EC-12

Alternative routes

Route 1 (teach while completing)
Route 2 (teach while completing)
Route 3 (teach while completing)
Route 4 (teach while completing)

All alternative routes in Washington

About Washington certification

Mission

To strengthen the educator workforce through professional standards, policy, and innovation.

Vision

An equity-minded educator workforce that facilitates learning and growth for each and every student.

Values

Educator voice

Diversity, equity, and inclusion

Educator excellence for student success

Community engagement

Learning and innovation

Overview

We are one agency with two boards. We work to ensure Washington’s educator workforce is composed of equity-minded, professional educators who meet the diverse needs of students, schools, and districts. We work towards this vision by creating innovative policies that strengthen educator quality, support workforce development, and advance equitable pathways into the profession. The Professional Educator Standards Board and the Paraeducator Board recognize that high standards for all educators are essential to student success and achievement.

Strategic priorities

- Center the perspectives and experiences of practicing educators.

- Advance equity in the preparation and practices of educators.

- Foster and strengthen shared decision-making through inclusive partnerships.

- Use data and research to make informed decisions.

- Prioritize initiatives that advance racial justice in education.

- Engage and educate the public about policy efforts to innovate, improve, and respond to Washington’s education system.

Visit PESB’s website for more information.

How to become a teacher in Washington Washington teacher preparation providers

Frequently asked questions

How do I get a teaching certificate in Washington?

Washington reports 7 credentials to Title II, 3 of them initial. 1 initial credentials require a bachelor's degree, 1 require a preparation program and 1 require tests. Apply through Professional Educator Standards Board.

How do I verify a teaching license in Washington?

Licenses are verified on the lookup service run by Professional Educator Standards Board. PT3 does not verify licenses.

Can I renew a Washington teaching certificate?

5 of 7 Washington credentials are reported as renewable. Renewal details by credential are listed in the Renewal section.

Does Washington issue emergency or temporary teaching certificates?

Yes. Title II lists 4: Conditional Certificate; Emergency certificate; Emergency Substitute Certificate; Transitional certificate.

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

Title II lists no separate out-of-state credential for Washington. Ask Professional Educator Standards Board how it reviews licenses from other states.

Is there alternative teacher certification in Washington?

Yes. Washington reports 4 alternative routes to Title II.