Statement on Licensure or Certification

The College of Education has two main program areas that have licensure or certification: Athletic Training, and K-12 Education.

Athletic Training licensure

Athletic Training has a uniform national exam and graduates are able to obtain any additional requirements for state licensure after graduation.

Educator licensure

Teacher Education; Educational Leadership (Principal; Superintendent; Program Administrator)

Educator licensure is governed at the state level. Candidates who complete Washington State University’s state approved preparation programs for teachers and administrators will be recommended to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) for licensure. Information regarding reciprocity and what states will accept Washington’s certificates can be found online: https://www.teaching-certification.com/teaching-certification-requirements.html or https://www.teaching-certification.com/reciprocity-certification.html.

Educators should be aware that each state has specific requirements that they may be required to complete for full licensure. Most often, this is specific testing. Since WSU’s programs are state approved, the state they are moving to will usually give the candidate 1-3 years to meet any outstanding requirements required by the new state.

American Samoa

The American Samoa Department of Education requires prospective educators to complete an American Samoa approved program. Prospective educators may not complete a program that is out-of-state. In addition, educators may not transfer a license from another state using any pathway. For this reason, XXX University’s programs do not meet any of the educational prerequisites for licensure in the field of education in American Samoa. Those interested in teaching within American Samoa should visit their Department of Education website (https://www.doe.as/).

Northern Mariana Islands

Obtaining educator licensure within the Commonwealth of The Northern Mariana Islands is only possible through reciprocity, meaning a candidate must receive a separate state/territory license before applying for licensure in the desired jurisdiction. Due to Covid-19, the licensure office in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands has posted a notice that it will not be processing any licenses while the office is closed due to the pandemic. The notice indicates that the duration of that closure may be through April 2021.

U.S. Virgin Islands

The U.S. Virgin Islands’ specific requirements for educator licensure can be found here: http://www.vide.vi/human-resources/568-general-certification-requirements.html