New certification requirements for dual endorsements

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction sent this bulletin at 08/22/2019 04:09 PM PDT
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August 22, 2019

New certification requirements for dual endorsements

Beginning September 1, 2019, candidates for certification seeking one of the following endorsements are required to pair it with a second endorsement:

  • Bilingual education
  • English language learner (ELL)
  • Special education (SPED)
  • Early childhood special education
  • Science

For the bilingual education, ELL, SPED, and early childhood SPED endorsements, the second endorsement cannot​ be special education, early childhood special education, bilingual education, English language learner, or traffic safety.

For the science endorsement, only​ teachers who have completed requirements for an endorsement in biology, chemistry, earth and space science, or physics are eligible to add science.

I currently hold a bilingual education, ELL, special education, early childhood special education or science endorsement. How does this impact me?

Washington State certified teachers who hold one of these endorsements prior to September 1, 2019 are not​ required to add a second endorsement.

Do both of the endorsements need to be completed through a preparation program?

Candidates need to complete at least one endorsement through a preparation program. The second endorsement may be completed through a program or through a test-only process. Providers are responsible for clearly communicating testing and program completion requirements to applicants and candidates.

A candidate who has completed at least one program endorsement can be recommended to the OSPI certification office by the program. The candidate will be issued a certificate when they have met all requirements for certification.

What is the timeline for in-state program completers to apply for certification?

Candidates who complete programs prior to September 1, 2019, will not be required to meet the dual endorsement requirement as long as they submit an application to the OSPI certification office by December 31, 2019. 

How do I get more information?

  • View our FAQ to learn more about the dual endorsement requirement
  • Visit our website to learn more about endorsements
  • For more information on applying for a certificate, or the process of recommending a candidate, please contact the OSPI certification office at (360) 725-6400 or cert@k12.wa.us.