Professional Certificate Program Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What is the Professional Certificate?

2. Who needs a Professional Certificate?

3. How can I earn a Professional Certificate?

4. Who is eligible to enroll in a Professional Certification Program?

5. What is the timeline?

6. What happens after I earn the Professional Certificate?

What is the Professional Certificate?

The Professional Certificate consists of 15 professional development credits that are distributed across three components: Pre-Assessment, Core, and Culminating Seminars. It is the second (advanced) level teaching certificate in the Washington State. The broadest goal of the program is to equip students with the knowledge and skills that they will need in a future world that we can not yet imagine by assisting teachers to acquire effective teaching strategies that support that goal
 

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Who needs a Professional Certificate?

Any certificated teacher who holds a Residency Certificate:

• Could be a teacher who completed a Washington State teacher education program after August 31, 2000.

• Could be a teacher who completed a teacher education program before August 31, 2000, but did not apply for Washington State certification until September 1, 2000, or later.

• Could be a teacher who earned a certificate in another state and applied for Washington State certification on September 1, 2000, or later.

• Could be a teacher whose Initial Certificate lapsed before meeting the requirements for a Renewed Initial Certificate or a Continuing Certificate.

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How can I earn a Professional Certificate?

Candidates earn second level certification by enrolling in and completing a state-approved professional certification program or by holding a valid certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). Candidates enroll by completing an Application (word)(pdf) and a Provisional Status – Employer Support (pdf) form. Candidates then complete the seminar requirements and provide portfolio evidence of meeting the Professional Certificate standards. Refer to the Woodring National Board for Professional Teaching Standards webpage for further information about that program.

In addition, candidates must meet state requirements for a course in “issues of abuse.” Residency teachers who completed a Washington State teacher preparation program after 1992 met this requirement through their teacher preparation program.

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Who is eligible to enroll in a Professional Certification Program?

Teachers who have a valid Residency Certificate and meet these criteria:

• Hold a position as a contracted teacher in a Washington State public or state-approved private school.

• Complete provisional status employment in a Washington State public or state-approved private school (generally two years), OR verify support from the school district or state-approved private school for entering the program.

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What is the timeline?

View the Washington State Residency-Professional Teacher Certification System for a graphic display.
 

Candidates have five years, from the time they complete two consecutive years of certificated employment and accept a contract for a third year with a public school or state-approved private school, to earn the Professional Certificate. Candidates who have not completed these requirements and hold a Residency Certificate with an expiration date should apply to OSPI for a reissued Residency Certificate. Click Here to access this no-cost application.
 

Candidates who are enrolled in a professional certification program and hold a Residency Certificate with an expiration date may apply to the university where they are completing the program for an additional two year extension.
 

Residency teachers whose certificates are expiring, but no longer hold a contracted teaching position with a public school or state-approved private school, may renew the Residency Certificate for an additional five years upon completion of 15 quarter credits of college/university coursework.
 

A typical professional certification program can be completed in approximately two years.

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What happens after I earn the Professional Certificate?

The Professional Certificate is valid for five years and can be renewed for five-year periods by completing 150 clock hours or equivalent college/university credits that address these criteria:

• Clock hours / coursework related to one of the five state salary criteria identified in RCW 28A.415.023

• Clock hours / coursework related to one of the three standards required for the Professional Certificate (Effective Teaching, Professional Development, or Professional Contributions)

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