How to Become a Teacher in Washington

Washington certification requirements, step by step

Each requirement below is stated as Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) / Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) publishes it, with the governing source cited.

1. 1

   Complete a bachelor's degree and Washington-approved preparation program

   Earn a bachelor's degree or higher and complete a Washington state-approved teacher preparation program, including mentored residency/student teaching of at least 540 hours as required by PESB program standards. OSPI issues certificates; PESB approves programs. Using a generic “state department of education license” checklist will send candidates to the wrong agency.

   Source: ospi.k12.wa.us

2. 2

   Pass WEST-B and WEST-E/NES content assessments

   Pass the WEST-B basic skills assessment and the WEST-E or NES content test(s) required for your endorsement area. Dual endorsement areas (Bilingual, ELL, Science) may require additional tests. Washington is not an ETS Praxis system for these gates; consult OSPI’s teacher assessments page for endorsement-specific codes rather than assuming Praxis scores transfer.

   Source: ospi.k12.wa.us

3. 3

   Receive institutional recommendation

   Your Washington-approved preparation program verifies completion of all requirements and recommends you for certification through the e-Certification (EDS) system. Traditional completers enter on a Residency Teacher (First Issue) certificate—a full credential, not a substandard permit—after that recommendation.

   Source: ospi.k12.wa.us

4. 4

   Apply for a Residency Teacher (First Issue) certificate

   Apply through EDS e-Cert for a Residency Teacher (First Issue) certificate—the first-tier full credential for new teachers. First-issue fee is $93 per OSPI's Professional Certification Fee Schedule. Checks and cards follow the published fee-schedule instructions on that page.

   Source: ospi.k12.wa.us

5. 5

   Reissue after service requirement

   After 1.5–2 years of service in the designated role in Washington, reissue the Residency First Issue certificate or advance toward a Continuing or Professional certificate per OSPI guidance. Continuing certificate holders later renew with 100 clock hours every five years, including equity-based school and community practices and STEM integration.

   Source: ospi.k12.wa.us

Washington splits certification authority between OSPI (issuance and renewal) and PESB (program approval and alternative route policy), which means candidates must track both agency websites. Traditional completers enter on a Residency Teacher (First Issue) certificate—a full credential, not a substandard permit—after their institution recommends them through EDS e-Cert. The first-issue fee of $93 is published on OSPI's Professional Certification Fee Schedule.

Clinical practice intensity exceeds many states' student-teaching minimums. PESB-approved programs require mentored residency of at least 540 hours, embedding extended supervised practice into the traditional pipeline before first hire. That standard affects timeline comparisons for career changers evaluating Washington against states with shorter clinical requirements.

Assessment branding confuses interstate movers. Washington uses WEST-B for basic skills and WEST-E or NES for content endorsements—not ETS Praxis—though some content areas may align with multi-state NES exams. Candidates should consult OSPI's teacher assessments page for endorsement-specific test codes rather than assuming Praxis scores transfer.

Renewal policy emphasizes equity and STEM continuing education. Continuing certificate holders accumulate 100 clock hours every five years with explicit equity-based school and community practices and STEM integration requirements. Reciprocity offers two major out-of-state pathways: approved out-of-state program recommendation, or a full out-of-state certificate plus three years of teaching experience depending on the endorsement and application type.

Required exams and fees

Washington uses WEST-B (basic skills), WEST-E / NES (content endorsements); program-specific assessments. Fees and cut scores appear only when published by the cited source (as of August 2026).

Full Washington exam requirements →

Moving a license to Washington

Out-of-state candidates may qualify by completing an approved out-of-state preparation program with institutional recommendation, or by holding a full out-of-state certificate plus three years of teaching experience for select pathways. OSPI reviews each application in e-Cert.

Official Washington reciprocity guidance