New OSPI Certification Processing Fee

Due to legislative action, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1449 (ESHB 1449), a $33 OSPI fee is required for applications submitted October 1, 2011 and after.  Please submit an additional thirty-three dollars to cover this fee so your application can continue to be processed."

The newly modified Fee Schedule is included with all applications (paper and online).

Learn more from OSPI

 

Adding an Endorsement to Your Certificate

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) offers four options for adding an endorsement to your teaching certificate. Endorsements are conferred in conjunction with your teacher certification and specify what subject(s) you're qualified to teach.

Educators may add endorsements to their Washington teaching certificate in one of four ways:

Option #1 - Certificated teachers must complete the following requirements (consult with your college/university for advice on requirements):

• Methods course(s) - Complete related methods coursework in the desired endorsement area.
• Field experience internship - For at least one endorsement area, complete a supervised practicum which includes teaching in the specific endorsement area. For additional endorsement areas, the college will determine whether to require a field experience/internship, and the extent of that internship.
• Complete appropriate content area testing - WEST-E

Follow the instructions of your college/university. The college/university will submit verification of program completion to OSPI for you.

Option #2 - The subject area or grade level indicated on the National Board Certificate must be comparable to one of the Washington endorsement areas. (See NBPTS exemption). Certificated teachers choosing this option must submit an application to OSPI.

Option #3 - This option is for individuals who hold an endorsement under current guidelines. Click here if you hold an endorsement under previous guidelines.

• (Pathway 1) Must pass a WEST-E test in a desired endorsement that is closely compatible with an endorsement already held, or
• (Pathway 2) pass the WEST-E test in a desired endorsement that is somewhat compatible with an endorsement already held, plus successfully undergo evaluation of teaching skill in the desired endorsement area by a Washington college/university.

See Charts for endorsements available via Pathway 1 or Pathway 2 (PDF)

Certificated teachers choosing Pathway 1 must submit an application to OSPI. For Pathway 2, follow instructions of your college/university, who will submit verification of program completion to OSPI for you.

Option #4 - Educator Retooling Program
The Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) has funding available to support teachers to add the following endorsements:

• All Sciences
• All Mathematics
• English Language Learners
• Bilingual Education
  

Funding for this program is through the Conditional Loan Scholarship program. The conditional scholarship is a loan that is forgiven for teaching service (in the added endorsement area) in a Washington state K-12 public school. The state shall forgive the loan obligation entirely if the recipient teaches in the shortage area endorsement area in a Washington state public school for two years.
Learn more.

This option requires you to complete appropriate content area testing (WEST-E)

Follow instructions of your college/university, who will submit verification of program completion to OSPI for you.

Learn more from OSPI

 

Certification and Fingerprinting Contacts and Resources

For answers to your certification questions, visit our website or contact our Certification staff.

Please note: Fingerprinting is by appointment only.

Certification and Fingerprinting: Jan Mathsen, Certification Officer, jmathsen@psesd.org, (425) 917-7612, (253) 778-7612, 1-800-664-4549 x7612. Linda Guile, Certification Specialist, lguile@psesd.org, 425-917-7613, 253-778-7613, 1-800-664-4549 x7613

PSESD Certification Office: 800 Oakesdale Ave. SW Renton, WA 98057-5221. Visit www.psesd.org for directions.

Hours: 7:00 - 5:00, Monday-Thursday (closed 12:30 - 1:00 for lunch)