How to Become a Teacher in Arizona

Arizona certification requirements, step by step

Each requirement below is stated as Arizona Department of Education publishes it, with the governing source cited.

1. 1

   Obtain an IVP fingerprint clearance card

   Before or during your application, complete the Arizona Department of Public Safety Identity Verified Print (IVP) fingerprint clearance process required for educator certification.

   Source: azed.gov

2. 2

   Complete an approved educator preparation program

   Earn a bachelor's degree and complete a Board-approved educator preparation program (EPP) that includes student teaching, or meet the two-years-of-teaching-plus-coursework pathway if applicable.

   Source: azed.gov

3. 3

   Demonstrate professional and subject knowledge proficiency

   Pass the required Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA) or National Evaluation Series (NES) exams for your certificate area, or meet approved alternatives documented by ADE.

   Source: azed.gov

4. 4

   Apply through My Certification Portal

   Submit your application online via mycert.azed.gov with transcripts, exam scores, IVP clearance, and program verification. The standard application fee is $60.

   Source: azed.gov

Arizona routes most new educators through the Arizona Department of Education's educator certification unit, which operates the My Certification Portal as the single point for applications, renewals, and document uploads. Unlike states that rely primarily on Praxis, Arizona uses the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments and National Evaluation Series for content and professional knowledge verification. Candidates should confirm which assessment series applies to their intended certificate area before registering, because ADE aligns specific tests to elementary, secondary, special education, and administrative credentials differently.

The Identity Verified Print fingerprint clearance card is a distinctive Arizona gatekeeper that runs parallel to academic preparation. ADE requires IVP clearance before issuance of many certificate types, and the process involves DPS-coordinated fingerprinting rather than a generic background check alone. Traditional candidates typically complete a Board-approved educator preparation program that includes supervised student teaching; ADE also recognizes a pathway for individuals who already hold two years of teaching experience plus required coursework, which can matter for career changers relocating within the state or returning to the profession.

Certificate renewal in Arizona is tied to ongoing professional learning measured in clock hours rather than semester credits alone. Educators must accumulate 15 clock hours of approved professional development or college coursework for each year of the certificate term being renewed. This structure rewards in-service growth but requires careful recordkeeping, because ADE expects documentation that aligns with approved providers and topics. Reciprocity applicants with valid comparable out-of-state certificates may bypass Arizona exam requirements when ADE determines their credentials are equivalent, though fingerprint clearance and application review still apply.

Arizona's alternative teaching certificate is a time-limited credential designed for candidates enrolled in Board-approved alternative or preparation programs who need to teach while completing requirements. It is issued for up to two years and may be extended yearly for a maximum of two consecutive years. ADE restricts this pathway so it cannot be used more than once in any five-year period, which shapes hiring decisions for districts seeking long-term staffing versus short-term coverage. Understanding the distinction between a standard certificate earned through a full EPP and the alternative certificate's provisional status helps candidates plan whether they need additional coursework or exams before moving to a renewable credential.

Required exams and fees

Arizona uses AEPA/NES. Fees and cut scores appear only when published by the cited source (as of August 2026).

Full Arizona exam requirements →

Moving a license to Arizona

Arizona offers reciprocity for holders of a valid comparable out-of-state certificate. Required exams may be exempt when reciprocity criteria are met.

Official Arizona reciprocity guidance