Washington Teaching Certification
Washington educator certification is administered through the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) in partnership with the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB). Most traditional certification pathways require a bachelor’s degree, an approved educator preparation program, supervised clinical practice, applicable assessments or approved alternatives, and a fingerprint-based background check. Requirements vary depending on the certificate and endorsement sought.
Sponsored School(s)
Washington has more than 295 school districts, and every one of them needs teachers who can clear a state exam that most new graduates have never heard of until they start applying. The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) jointly set the rules for who gets to teach in Washington, and the requirements differ depending on whether you trained in-state, hold a license from another state, or are changing careers into the classroom. Here’s what each path actually requires.
Choose the situation that best describes you:
- Initial Teaching Certification…
- I’m a teacher from another state…
- Teacher Certification Renewal…
- Admin./Principal Certification…
- Alternative Teaching Certification…
- Substitute Teaching Permit…
Get Involved in Washington’s Education Policy
Certification gets you into the classroom, but the classroom you walk into depends heavily on funding and policy decisions made in Olympia. Washington’s legislature and governor set the budget priorities that determine class sizes, per-student spending, and teacher pay across the state. If you’re serious about the profession, it’s worth knowing where your elected officials stand on education before your first year of teaching.
Learn about your governor’s views and voting record on education funding. See the Washington Governor’s website for details.
Initial Washington Teaching Certification
With over 295 school districts in the state, Washington needs teachers who can lead classrooms toward measurable student growth, not just fill a vacancy. Washington’s teachers are expected to train students to think analytically, handle complex tasks, and understand how effort connects to future goals. If you’re ready to commit to that work, here’s where to start.
Education Requirements
First-time teacher certification applicants in Washington must apply for a Residency Teacher Certificate.
The Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), working alongside the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB), requires most candidates to hold at least a bachelor’s degree and complete an approved educator preparation program from an accredited college or university. Approved educator-preparation programs include supervised clinical practice or student teaching appropriate to the certification pathway.
During their teacher education programs, candidates choose from a variety of subject endorsement areas. Some of these subject areas and grade levels include:
Washington offers endorsements across elementary education, secondary subject areas, career and technical education, special education, bilingual education, world languages, arts, and other specialty fields. Applicants should review the current PESB endorsement list to see which endorsements and grade levels are available.
Qualified out-of-state educators may be eligible for Washington certification through reciprocity after individual review. Eligibility depends on your current certificate, preparation program, experience, assessments, endorsement, and current Washington law. See certification reciprocity in Washington for details.
Types of Certification
OSPI and PESB offer two levels of teacher certification:
Residency Certificate: This is Washington’s standard initial certificate for new teachers. It allows candidates to begin teaching while working toward the state’s advancement requirements.
Professional Certificate: The advanced level of certification. Advancing to a Professional Certificate is not automatic. Candidates must meet Washington’s current statutory advancement requirements, which have changed over time. Confirm the current pathway options with OSPI or PESB before assuming a specific route applies to you.
For more information on types of certification, see License Renewal and Reinstatement.
Examinations
Assessment requirements depend on certification pathway, endorsement, and current Washington rules. Some candidates complete the WEST-B basic skills test and a WEST-E or NES content exam matching their endorsement area, while others qualify through approved alternatives or statutory exemptions.
Because Washington has expanded its assessment options over time, candidates should review OSPI’s current assessment requirements for their specific pathway rather than assume a single test applies to all applicants
Experience Requirements
Most approved educator-preparation programs include supervised clinical practice or student teaching appropriate to the certification pathway, giving candidates real-world classroom experience before they lead a class independently.
To be eligible for an endorsement, candidates typically complete supervised clinical experience in that endorsement area under the guidance of an approved supervisor. Alternative-route candidates may complete a different clinical experience structure than traditional preparation-program candidates.
Document and Application Requirements
Applicants submit documentation required for their certificate and endorsement through OSPI’s certification system. Most traditional first-time applicants can expect to provide evidence of good moral character and personal fitness, proof of a bachelor’s degree, verification of an approved preparation program, and endorsement-specific documentation, though exact requirements vary by pathway.
Candidates apply through OSPI’s online E-Certification system. Review the current Washington Teacher Certification Application requirements for your specific certificate and endorsement before you begin.
Criminal History Background Check
Washington requires a fingerprint-based background check for all certification applicants. The Washington State Patrol and the FBI process fingerprints as part of your application review, and the results are entered into the Educational Data System.
OSPI’s base processing fee for the required WSP and FBI checks is $50. You’ll also pay a separate rolling or service fee to the live-scan site handling your fingerprints, typically $15 to $40, bringing your total cost to roughly $65 to $90. That service fee varies by Educational Service District (ESD). Some districts charge a flat combined rate instead of itemizing the two fees.
Confirm the current fee with your regional ESD or with OSPI before your fingerprinting appointment, since rates change periodically.
Contact Information
The OSPI office may be contacted at (360) 725-6000 or by e-mail at [email protected].
Candidates may also reach the office by mail at:
Old Capitol BuildingPO Box 47200
Olympia, WA 98504-7200
Washington Teacher Salaries and Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Washington’s median annual teacher salaries run well above the national figures for every K-12 category as of May 2025. These figures represent statewide occupational medians for all licensed teachers in each category, not starting salaries, district-specific salary schedules, or guarantees for any individual educator. For a deeper look at pay and benefits across the state, see our Washington teacher salary and benefits page. Washington’s Employment Security Department, using separate state labor market projections, forecasts continued demand across several teaching occupations, with many openings resulting from retirements and workforce turnover rather than newly created positions.
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage (WA) | Job Growth 2024–2034 (WA) |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | $99,960 | +8.1% |
| Elementary School Teachers | $102,350 | +8.0% |
| Middle School Teachers | $102,140 | +8.0% |
| High School Teachers | $102,670 | +8.0% |
Washington’s Employment Security Department projects an average of 2,980 annual openings for elementary school teachers and 1,360 for high school teachers between 2024 and 2034, driven mostly by retirements and turnover rather than newly created positions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What degree do I need to become a certified teacher in Washington?
Most traditional pathways require at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, plus completion of an approved educator preparation program with supervised clinical practice appropriate to your pathway. The specific degree subject depends on the endorsement area you want to teach.
How do I apply for a Washington teaching certificate?
Applicants apply through OSPI’s online E-Certification system. OSPI reviews your complete application package, including your degree, preparation program, applicable assessments, and background-check requirements, before issuing a certificate. Exact documentation depends on the certificate and endorsement you’re seeking.
What tests are required?
Washington assessment requirements depend on the certificate and endorsement sought. Some applicants complete the WEST-B, WEST-E, NES, or other approved assessments, while others may qualify through approved alternatives or statutory exemptions. Applicants should review the current OSPI assessment requirements for their pathway.
Can I transfer my out-of-state teaching license to Washington?
Qualified out-of-state educators may be eligible for Washington certification through reciprocity, but each application is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Eligibility depends on your current credentials, preparation program, experience, endorsement, and current Washington requirements. Review OSPI’s reciprocity guidanc, or our Washington teacher reciprocity guid, before assuming a specific outcome.
How much do teachers in Washington get paid?
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for elementary school teachers in Washington was $102,350, and for high school teachers,$102,670, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These are statewide occupational medians, not starting salaries or district-specific pay scales, but both figures run well above the national median for the same occupations.
- OSPI and PESB jointly administer educator certification — the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Professional Educator Standards Board set and enforce Washington’s teacher licensing rules.
- Most traditional applicants begin with a Residency Certificate — advancing to a Professional Certificate isn’t automatic and depends on meeting Washington’s current advancement requirements.
- Assessment requirements vary by pathway and endorsement — some candidates complete the WEST-B, WEST-E, or NES, while others qualify through approved alternatives or exemptions.
- Reciprocity applications are individually evaluated — out-of-state credentials, preparation, experience, and endorsement all factor into the outcome.
- Salary and employment figures represent statewide occupational estimates — not guaranteed starting pay or district-specific outcomes for any individual educator.
Select an accredited Washington teacher preparation program below to find application links, endorsement options, and licensing requirements for your certification path.
May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS wage estimates and 2024-2034 employment projections for Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Middle School Teachers, and High School Teachers, reflect state and national data, not school-specific outcomes. State or district job-growth projections are sourced separately from national BLS outlook data. Conditions vary by school sector, subject area, and district. Data accessed July 2026.
