Certification
The NWESD Certification Specialist position is temporarily vacant. During this interim period, alternate NWESD staff are providing forms and basic processing of applications.
Applicants are advised to collect and submit, in one package, the application for certification and any additional documents indicated, such as transcripts, copies of certificates, fee payments, etc. All applications with a fee must be mailed to a Washington Educational Service District Office, not to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction directly. The state office is not empowered to collect certification fees.
The function of the Certification department is to make available forms and information regarding certification requirements in Washington state. Basic processing of applications is done at this location, and temporary permits issued for teachers, principals, and educational staff associates in applicable situations.
Fingerprinting is required of all individuals who have regular, unsupervised access to children, including those seeking certificates and those employed in a certified or classified position. Fingerprints are mandated to renew every two years. NWESD provides digital fingerprinting services.
Types of certificates in Washington include:
- Teacher
- Administrator (principal, superintendent and program administrator)
- Educational Staff Associate
- School counselor, school psychologist, and school social worker
- Speech language pathologist or audiologist, school nurse, occupational therapist and physical therapist
To meet the requirements for a Residency teaching certificate, an applicant must have earned a bachelor's degree and an approved college/university teacher education program, both from a regionally accredited college or university.
