Teacher Certification
Residency to Professional Certification System
Washington State teachers move through a continuum that involves continuous professional development and lifelong learning. New Residency teachers complete an induction period then earn the second tier Professional Certificate through the Washington ProTeach Portfolio or National Board for Professional Teacher Standards (NBPTS) certification.
Residency Certificate
Residency Certificate (First Issue): The first issue Residency Certificate has no defined expiration date. View the OSPI Residency Validity Newsletter for a full explanation, which is summarized below.
Residency Certificate Reissuance: Beginning September 2011, teachers employed by a WA state public school district or state-approved private school will be advised by their employer to apply to OSPI for a three year Residency Certificate after they have completed 1.5 FTE years of teaching experience accumulated over a minimum of two years. The reissued Residency Certificate will be valid for three years. The timeline for earning a Professional Certificate begins with the reissued Residency Certificate.
Residency Certificate Renewal: Teachers may renew the reissued Residency Certificate under certain circumstances, or allow it to lapse then renew it when they return to teaching in Washington State. View the Washington State Timeline from Residency to Professional Certificate graphic display.
Professional Certificate
The second tier Professional Certificate must be earned through one of the following methods.
Register for the Washington ProTeach Portfolio after teaching at least 1.5 fulltime equivalent (FTE) over a minimum of two years. Teachers may choose to prepare through a Professional Certification Facilitated Support Program prior to submitting the portfolio.
Apply for NBPTS candidacy after teaching a minimum of 3 years. Teachers may choose to prepare through a NBPTS Facilitated Support Program prior to submitting the portfolio.
Professional Certificate Renewal: 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:
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Clock hours / coursework related to one of the five state salary criteria identified in RCW 28A.415.023
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Clock hours / coursework related to one of the three standards required for the Professional Certificate (Effective Teaching, Professional Development, or Professional Contributions)
Change of Address
Beginning September 2010, all certificated educators are required to report a Change of Address to the OSPI Certification Office within 60 days of the change.
Certification
Office
516 High Street / Miller Hall 150
Bellingham, Washington 98225-9090
CertOffice@wwu.edu
Telephone: (360)
650-4930
Facsimile: (360) 650-6583
