License: Alternative Teaching

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Requirements for the Alternative PreK-12 Teaching Certificate Certificate Information: The Alternative Teaching certificate is valid for two years and may be extended yearly for no more than two consecutive years. The certificate entitles the holder to enter into a teaching contract while completing the requirements for an Arizona Standard Professional teaching certificate. The candidate shall be enrolled in an Arizona State Board authorized alternative path to certification program, or an Arizona State Board approved teacher preparation program. An individual is not eligible to hold the Alternative Teaching certificate more than once in five years. Administrative Requirement Checklist: In order for our office to complete a Substantive review the following Administrative requirements must be submitted as described, if not, the processing of your application could be delayed. Application fees are non-refundable. ? Application & Fee: Complete the Application for Certification and submit the appropriate fee. ? IVP Fingerprint Card: Submit a photocopy of your valid Arizona Department of Public Safety Identity Verified Prints (IVP) fingerprint card, (not the paper copy of your prints), with your application. ? Official Transcripts: Request that your university/college submit official transcripts documenting a Bachelor’s degree or more advanced degree directly to certification@azed.gov, or by mail to Arizona Department of Education – Certification Unit, P.O. Box 6490, Phoenix, AZ 85005. ? Foreign Transcripts: Request a course-by-course evaluation completed by an approved Foreign Credential Evaluation Agency to identify the equivalent degree in the United States, then submitted them directly to certification@azed.gov. o Note: Transcripts submitted by the applicant via the online portal or by email are not considered official. ? Program Verification Letter: A letter verifying that you are enrolled in an Arizona State Board-approved alternative path to certification program or an Arizona State Board-approved educator preparation program. The letter must be signed by the appropriate designee from the educator preparation program. (List of Board Approved Educator Preparation Programs. ? Subject Knowledge Exam Requirement: Applicants who are seeking an Alternative Teaching Certificate that reflects the certification area they are qualified to teach must meet the subject knowledge exam requirement for the Standard Professional Teaching Certificate they are pursuing. Applicants who do not meet the subject knowledge exam requirement may qualify for an Alternative Teaching Certificate that does not show a certification area. For information on the subject knowledge exam requirement, please review the requirements for the Standard Professional Teaching Certificate you are pursuing. Additional Requirements: The following requirements are allowable deficiencies and must be completed within one year or three years to maintain the validity of the certificate: - Arizona Constitution: A college course or the appropriate examination covering the provisions and principles of the Arizona Constitution. - U.S. Constitution: A college course or the appropriate examination covering the provisions and principles of the United States Constitution. Arizona and U.S. Constitution Requirements: If you otherwise qualify but are deficient in the Arizona Constitution and/or U.S. Constitution, you have three years under a valid teaching certificate to fulfill these requirements, except that if you are certified to teach an academic course on history, government, social studies, citizenship, law, or civics, you have one year to fulfill the Arizona and U.S. Constitution requirements. ** **NOTE: If you do not complete the allowable deficiency requirements within the allowable time frame, your Standard teaching certificate will be temporarily suspended and will not be valid for employment until the deficiency is corrected. A temporary suspension for failure to meet these requirements is not considered a disciplinary action and a person shall be allowed to correct the deficiency within the remaining timeframe of the certificate. ** 4/7/2021 Requirements may be subject to change and are fully referenced in the Arizona Revised Statutes and Administrative Code. Page 1 of 2 R7-2-606; R7-2-607; R-2-601.01; R7-2-614 (A)(E) R7-2-621