Washington Teacher Certification

How to Become a Teacher in Washington

There are three different types of Washington teacher certification options for individuals interested in becoming a teacher in the state of Washington. The first is a Residency Certificate, which is typically issued as the initial license for new teachers or teachers from out-of-state who relocate to Washington. A Residency Certificate is valid while the teacher successfully completes two years of teaching in Washington, and it may then be reissued for a time period of five years.

Spotlight School

Kaplan University

Popular Programs:

• MS in Education (for Existing Teachers Grades K-12)
• MA in Teaching (for Aspiring Teachers Grades 5-12)

The second level of Washington teaching certification is the Professional Certificate. This license is issued to those who hold a Residency Certificate and complete a ProTeach Portfolio. Teachers must also complete two successful years of teaching and take coursework relating to identifying and assisting victims of abuse. A Professional Certificate is also sometimes granted to teachers who have been certified in other states if the Professional Educator Standards Board determines that the certificate level is comparable. Teachers may also earn a certificate from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in order to receive a Professional Certificate.

The third type of certification in Washington is the Limited Teaching Certificate. This license is only granted when schools cannot find enough teachers with the above certificates. When this occurs, schools may temporarily hire someone who has not completed the requirements for a regular teaching certificate.

Washington Teacher Education Requirements

Teachers in Washington are required to earn a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. In addition, a teacher preparation program that has been approved by the Professional Educator Standards Board must be completed. There are twenty-one schools in Washington that have state-approved programs for teacher education. There are also alternative paths to certification available to those who have not completed a traditional educator preparation program in Washington.

Profiles of Well Known Schools

Washington State University: Located in the wheat fields of the Palouse, Washington State University is home to the WSU College of Education. The College of Education is housed in Cleveland Hall in the heart of the campus. Students are able to choose from a wide variety of majors that lead to careers in teaching, educational administration, counseling, advising, and sports management. The faculty are dedicated to teaching and learning at all levels in addition to the research they conduct in their fields of expertise. In addition to in-class learning, the college provides enriching teaching and learning experiences outside of the classroom for students. The college has several statewide learning partners including school districts and agencies. Students can also participate in one of many extracurricular clubs such as the WSU College of Education Students of Color Coalition and Future Cougar Teachers.

Washington Teacher Testing Requirements

In addition to earning a bachelor’s degree and completing a teacher preparation program, those who wish to become a teacher in Washington must pass two types of tests: a basic skills test and a content area test. The basic skills test is called the Washington Educator Skills Test – Basic (WEST-B) and assesses the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics. Out-of-state teacher candidates may substitute scores from the Praxis I test or CBEST (in California and Oregon) for this requirement.

The content area test that is required in Washington is called the WEST-E. Teacher candidates must take this test in their chosen endorsement areas. However, those with a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certificate that is similar to the Washington endorsement area are exempt from taking this assessment.

Washington Teacher Salary and Jobs

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2011.

Washington Teacher Interview

Interview with Rebecca Ross, Kindergarten Teacher in the State of Washington

School Programs for Becoming a Teacher in Washington

Request free information from the following schools to learn more about your options for choosing a teacher degree program. We recommend you: Request information from one or more of these schools

University of Phoenix

Popular Programs:

• M.A. in Education/Early Childhood Ed.
• M.A. in Education/Secondary Teacher Education
• M.A. in Education/Elementary Teacher Education
• M.A. in Education/Special Education
• And more...

California University of Pennsylvania

Popular Programs:

• Early Childhood Education (Certification Only)
• Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
• MA in Teaching: Advanced Studies in Secondary Education- National Board Preparation
• Superintendent Letter of Eligibility (SLE)
• And more...

Concordia University Online

Popular Programs:

• B.S. in Early Childhood Education (Birth - 5 Years)
• M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction: Curriculum & Instruction: Early Childhood Education
• Special Education (Early Childhood/Elementary)
• Educational Administration: (EDD)
• And more...

Western Governors University

Popular Programs:

• M.A. Teaching (K-8)
• Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Preparation Program (K-8)
• B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies (K-8)
• M.A. Teaching - Mathematics (5-9 or 5-12)
• And more...

Penn Foster Schools

Popular Programs:

• Teacher Aide

Frequently Asked Questions about Becoming a Teacher in Washington

Question: I have a bachelor’s degree in another area, but I’m really interested in teaching. What would I have to do to obtain a teaching certificate in Washington State?

Answer: In order to be approved to work in Washington State, you must enroll in a masters or ‘cert only’ program that is approved by the state.

Schools with Teaching Degree Programs in Washington

Bates Technical College
1101 S Yakima Ave
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 680-7000
www.bates.ctc.edu

Bellevue College
3000 Landerholm Cir SE
Bellevue, WA 98007-6484
(425) 564-1000
bellevuecollege.edu/enrollment/admissions/

Bellingham Technical College
3028 Lindbergh Ave
Bellingham, WA 98225-1599
(360) 752-7000
www.btc.ctc.edu/StuServices/Admissions/indexAdmissions.asp

Big Bend Community College
7662 Chanute St
Moses Lake, WA 98837-3299
(509) 793-2222
www.bigbend.edu/admissionsregistration

Central Washington University
400 East University Way
Ellensburg, WA 98926-7501
(509) 963-1111
www.cwu.edu/~cwuadmis/

Student Review: “The education program at Central Washington University was essential in preparing me for teaching in the real world. The small student body allowed for smaller class sizes and more one on one instruction with professors. All of my professors knew me by name and would go above and beyond in making themselves available for additional attention. The flexible class schedules allowed for pursuing other interests outside the classroom. While on my teaching internship I would call my professors with any questions I might have and they would provide guidance and words of encouragement. Overall the teaching program at CWU was a fantastic experience and I would highly recommend the program to aspiring students.” -Jacob S., student at Central Washington University

Student Review: “First, let me say that I loved Central Washington University. The actual teaching program, well, parts of it I enjoyed, other parts, not so much. As a Business Education major I had to take classes in the business/technology area as well as the general education courses that all teachers take. I found the classes within my specialty to be great. I enjoyed most of the professors, found them knowledgeable and felt like these classes actually prepared me for teaching. The general education classes, however, were miserable. I distinctly remember Reading in the Content Area, which was a class where you learn how to teach reading. In this class I sat next to a couple of future high school P.E. teachers and we constantly complained about how irrelevant this was to what we were actually going to be doing. I also remember Ed Law being the most boring class on common sense ever imagined.” -Jeff B., student at Central Washington University

Clover Park Technical College
4500 Steilacoom Blvd SW
Lakewood, WA 98499-4004
(253) 589-5800
www.cptc.edu/admissions

Columbia Basin College
2600 N 20th Ave
Pasco, WA 99301
(509) 547-0511

Eastern Washington University
526 5th Street
Cheney, WA 99004-2496
(509) 359-6200
www.ewu.edu/Admissions.xml

Everett Community College
2000 Tower Street
Everett, WA 98201
(425) 388-9100
www.everettcc.edu/enrollment/

Evergreen State College
2700 Evergreen Parkway NW
Olympia, WA 98505
(360) 867-6000
admissions.evergreen.edu/

Student Review: “The first introduction and ending programs were taught by an amazing professor who was an elementary mixed-classroom teacher in a diverse and high-risk school. She was fantastic at not only teaching us the issues of special education, but also gave us significant time to hone our teaching skills, including lectures and hands-on activities. The middle classes of the program were taught by a teacher, though, that I felt was rude and inconsiderate of us as students. She was herself an elementary school special education teacher and it was saddening to see her treat us as college students so bad. But, I enjoyed having the student teaching and practicum experiences through Evergreen, as they had great support for me and my practicum teacher.” -Rachel B., student at Evergreen State College

Gonzaga University
E 502 Boone Ave
Spokane, WA 99258-0001
(509) 328-4220
www.gonzaga.edu/Admissions/default.asp

Green River Community College
12401 SE 320th St
Auburn, WA 98092-3622
(253) 833-9111
www.greenriver.edu/enrollment/admissions/index.shtm

Greenwood Academy of Hair
8501 Greenwood N
Seattle, WA 98103
(206) 782-0220

Heritage University
3240 Fort Rd
Toppenish, WA 98948
(509) 865-8500
www.heritage.edu/FutStu/Admissions.php

Highline Community College
2400 S 240th St
Des Moines, WA 98198-9800
(206) 878-3710
www.highline.edu/stuserv/entry/index.htm

Lower Columbia College
1600 Maple Street
Longview, WA 98632-0310
(360) 442-2311
lowercolumbia.edu/hs/index.html

Northwest University
5520 108th Ave NE
Kirkland, WA 98083-0579
(425) 822-8266

Pacific Lutheran University
1010 122nd St So
Tacoma, WA 98447-0003
(253) 531-6900
www.plu.edu/external/admission/home.php

Pierce College at Fort Steilacoom
9401 Farwest Dr SW
Lakewood, WA 98498-1999
(253) 964-6500

Renton Technical College
3000 NE Fourth St
Renton, WA 98056-4195
(425) 235-2352

Saint Martins University
5300 Pacific Ave SE
Lacey, WA 98503-7500
(360) 491-4700
www.stmartin.edu/FutureStudents/Admissions.aspx

Seattle Pacific University
3307 3rd Ave W
Seattle, WA 98119-1997
(206) 281-2000
www.spu.edu/depts/ugadm/

Seattle University
900 Broadway
Seattle, WA 98122-4340
(206) 296-6000
www.seattleu.edu/home/prospective_students/

Shoreline Community College
16101 Greenwood Ave N
Shoreline, WA 98133-5696
(206) 546-4101
www.shoreline.edu/admissionshome_01.html

Skagit Valley College
2405 E. College Way
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
(360) 416-7600

Spokane Falls Community College
3410 W Fort Geo Wright Dr
Spokane, WA 99224-5288
(509) 533-3500

Tacoma Community College
6501 S 19th St
Tacoma, WA 98466-6100
(253) 566-5000
www.tacomacc.edu/admissions

The Evergreen State College
2700 Evergreen Pkwy NW
Olympia, WA 98505-0001
(360) 867-6000
www.evergreen.edu/admissions/

University of Puget Sound
1500 N Warner
Tacoma, WA 98416
(253) 879-3100
www.ups.edu/admission.xml

University of Washington-Seattle Campus
1400 NE Campus Parkway
Seattle, WA 98195-4550
(206) 543-2100
admit.washington.edu/admission/

Student Review: “The University of Washington in Seattle is a high quality public school that provides instruction in a variety of practices and disciplines. The campus is set in the shadow of beautiful Mt. Rainier and features a fusion of metropolitan lifestyles as well as a consciousness for environmental health. Within the campus, there are a bevy of different landscapes that can accommodate those who enjoy the Seattle lifestyle as well as those who prefer a more academic environment. “The Ave” is a nearby street that features food and entertainment that most college students can enjoy. In addition, University Village also provides high class shopping experiences to those that fancy that type of lifestyle.” -Bob W., student at University of Washington

Walla Walla Community College
500 Tausick Way
Walla Walla, WA 99362-9267
(509) 522-2500

Washington State University
French Administration Building
Pullman, WA 99164-1009
(509) 335-3564
futurestudents.wsu.edu/admission/default.aspx

Student Review: “When I first enrolled at WSU I was determined to begin my journey as a teacher. From what I had heard the WSU teaching program was one of the best in the area and would suit me very well. But after my first few months during the semester I was starting to question my decision. The class sizes for the courses I was in were extremely large and made you feel extremely insignificant. It was a challenge to get any individual question answered during a lecture and there was almost no luck of being able to meet with the professors outside of the class. The courses that were provided did teach me a lot about the field I was now entering but I didn’t feel that I was being ‘taught’ the information well enough. Rather it seemed like I was being fed the dry information and was expected to be able to process and remember it. It wasn’t long into my second semester of my freshman year that I decided to change majors from teaching to fine arts. I disliked the WSU teaching program so much that I actually decided to change my major.” -Connor F.

Western Washington University
516 High St
Bellingham, WA 98225-9008
(360) 650-3430
www.admissions.wwu.edu

Whatcom Community College
237 W Kellogg Rd
Bellingham, WA 98226
(360) 383-3000
www.whatcom.ctc.edu

Whitworth University
300 W Hawthorne Rd
Spokane, WA 99251
(509) 777-1000
www.whitworth.edu/Administration/Admissions/Index.htm

Yakima Valley Community College
South 16th Ave. & Nob Hill Blvd.
Yakima, WA 98907-2520
(509) 574-4600
www.yvcc.edu/admissions

Page edited by Charles Sipe.