You are in the home stretch! It is teaching certification time!
We cannot congratulate you enough for all the hard work you have put in. While the teaching certification process may seem confusing at first glance, we can help you take a deep breath and easily understand it.
In order to be awarded your certificate, a candidate must:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from a regionally-accredited college. That includes us.
- Complete a state-approved teacher prep program. That includes ours.
After this process is complete, we recommend your certification with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. We will then send you an email (to your WSU email address) with instructions on how to apply using the state’s E-Certification portal.
You may then receive the Residency Certificate (First Issue), which is valid for three years from the time you are reported as employed by a Washington school district as a teacher with 1.5 FTE experience, or more.
Certification fees
Teacher certification comes with unique fees (sorry). To help you plan, below is a list of fees that are required for all teacher candidates. This does not include course, degree, or university fees. Prices are subject to change. This is strictly a guide to help you map out your finances as you progress through the program.
| Description of Fee |
Fee Amount |
Length of Validity |
Due |
| Fingerprinting |
$70-110 |
Two years |
Before first practicum. Fingerprints must be valid each time you are enrolled in a practicum, pre-internship, and student teaching internship. Fingerprints must be valid at the time you apply for your teaching certificate and remain valid throughout the certificate processing window after your student teaching internship. |
| Liability Insurance |
$7-49 |
One year |
Before first practicum and must be valid each time you are enrolled in practicum, pre-internship, and student teaching internship. |
| WSU Name Badge
Content Exam (NES or WEST-E) |
$10
$59-165 |
N/A
No expiration date |
Before first practicum. All students participating in practicums, pre-internships, and student teaching internships must wear their name badge during field experiences and classroom visits.
Undergrad & postbac students must register prior to enrollment in pre-internship (TCH LRN 490 for elementary and TCH LRN 469 for secondary) and pass their major endorsement content exam(s) prior to the student teaching internship.
MIT secondary education students who meet endorsement requirements with their bachelor’s degree must pass prior to admission. Candidates completing a secondary endorsement different from their undergraduate degree must register prior to enrollment in MIT 571 and pass the exam(s) prior to the student teaching internship. MIT elementary education students must pass prior to admission. |
| *ACTFL Oral |
$93-165 |
No expiration date |
Prior to student teaching internship. |
| *ACTFL Written |
$93 |
No expiration date |
Prior to student teaching internship |
| Teaching Certificate |
$93 |
N/A |
End of student teaching internship. |
*Required for Spanish and French
Financial Help
- Financial Aid – students are able to request additional funding by completing the Revision Request form listed on the Office of Financial Aid’s website. Your request should be noted in the “special fees” section of the form. Financial Aid will require you to submit a copy of the bill showing you owe the fees or a statement showing a zero balance.
- WEST/NES Vouchers – Washington State University is given a limit number of vouchers for the WEST-B, WEST-E and NES exams. To request a voucher complete a financial assistance request form.
More questions?
Check out our answers to frequently asked questions.
