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The function ESD 113's Certification department is to assist applicants with the selection of the appropriate forms and provide them with information regarding certificates available in Washington State. Basic processing of applications is done at this location, and temporary permits are then 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. The Fingerprinting process can be also be done at ESD 113.

Types of certificates in Washington include:

  • TeacherAdministrator (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.

The Residency Certification is followed by the Professional Certificate, which requires a program completed through a Washington College or University. For information on professional programs, go to: http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/Teacher/procert-program.aspx

Endorsements (designated teaching areas) can be added to teaching certificates by completing a college/university endorsement program. Information about those programs can be located at: http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/teacher/Endorsement.aspx

More information about Washington certification can be foundat the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction Web site: http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/

Certification applications can be downloaded at: http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/certapp/forms.aspx

To accommodate questions from Human Resources or Personnel offices in Washington school districts, the link to the Certification Handbook is located at: http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/pubdocs/CertHandbook.pdf

If the information provided above has not answered your questions regarding certification in Washington State, please contact our certification office. You may email Chris Fieldstad, Lead Certification Officer for ESD 113 at cfieldstad@esd113.k12.wa.us or call 360-464-6714.