Adding an Endorsement

An endorsement is the area in which a teacher is qualified to teach. Endorsements can be added in Washington through the options listed below. This information does NOT apply to CTE certificates or specialty area endorsements. Scholarships are available for adding endorsements in shortage areas. For more information, see Retooling Teacher Programs. 

Test Only

Must pass a WEST-E/NES test for the desired endorsement. Tests from other states cannot be used to add endorsements.

Process: Complete the required testing and submit the application online through your E-Certification account. WEST-E/NES test information and registration is available online.

Program + Test

Consult with your college/university for advice on requirements (Available In-State Programs). Methods, field experience/internship, and subject matter credit hour requirements* are as follows: 

• Methods course(s): Certificated teachers are required to complete related methods coursework in the desired endorsement area.
• Field experience/internship: For at least one endorsement area, certificated teachers are required to complete a supervised practicum, which includes teaching in the specific endorsement area. For additional endorsement areas, the college will determine whether to require a field experience/internship, and the extent of that internship 
• Complete appropriate content area testing: The WEST-E/NES test information and registration is available online.

Process: 

In-state program: Follow the instructions of your college/university. The college/university will submit verification of program completion to OSPI for you.

Out-of-state program: Complete program, testing, Form 1522E, and submit application through your E-Certification account.

• Your out-of-state institution must complete the Institutional Verification of Endorsement Program Completion and Character (Form 1522E). You must include the completed form when you apply for the additional endorsement.

Out-of-State Certification + WA Test

Applicants must pass a WEST-E/NES test for the desired endorsement(s). Tests from other states cannot be used to add endorsements. 

Process: Complete the required testing and submit a copy of your equivalent out-of-state teaching certificate and the Adding an Endorsement application online. The WEST-E/NES test information and registration is available online.

National Boards

Teachers may add an endorsement through National Board Certification if they hold a certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), and there is a direct equivalency between the endorsement sought and their National Board certificate area (See National Boards Endorsement Chart).

Process: Submit the application through your E-Certification account.

Migration

Specific endorsements may be added through migration. The process of migration involves aligning previously issued endorsements with current standards. This ensures that endorsements remain relevant and up to date (See Migration Chart).

Eligible Endorsements

Additional Endorsement-Specific Requirements

*Bilingual Education

Please note that individuals who hold a ELL endorsement may add the Bilingual Education endorsement via testing only.  In addition to successfully completing the Bilingual Education WEST-E test, applicants must complete one of the following assessments:  

1. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) and the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in a world language (other than English): Score of Advanced-Low or higher. Please visit the ACTFL Language Testing International site for more information.  
   OR 
2. Avant STAMP 4S and 3S: Score of 7 or higher on all sections. Please visit the Global Seal of Biliteracy STAMP 4S/3S Testing page for additional information. 
   OR 
3. Avant STAMP WS: Score of 7 or higher on both parts. Please visit the Global Seal of Biliteracy STAMP WS Testing page for further information.  
   OR 
4. ALTA Speaking/Listening and Writing Assessment: ILR score of 2 or higher. Please visit the Global Seal of Biliteracy ALTA Testing page for more information.  

*Deaf Education

Applicant must complete at least one of the following:  

1. Completion of a state-approved deaf education program and the content knowledge assessment. 
   OR 
2. A Deaf education program accredited by the Council on Education of the Deaf and the content knowledge assessment.
   OR 
3. Hold National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification in the Exceptional Needs Specialist area of Deaf / Hard of Hearing.  
   OR 
4. Baccalaureate degree or higher in deaf education from a program approved by the Council on Education of the Deaf under RCW 28A.410.225 and the content knowledge assessment.  

*Deaf Education with ASL Proficiency

Applicant must hold or meet requirements for the deaf education endorsement and demonstrate ASL proficiency in one of the following ways: 

1. Complete the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) at 3+ or higher 
   OR 
2. Hold American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA) certification (requires ASLPI at 3+ or higher). 

*English Language Learners (ELL)

Educators who hold the Bilingual Education endorsement may add the ELL endorsement via Test Only. 

*Middle Level Humanities

• Educators who hold a Social Studies endorsement or have taken and passed the WEST-E Social Studies exam may use those instead of the Middle Level Humanities subtest II.
• Educators who hold a NBPTS Certificate in ELA: Early Adolescence (11-15) and ELA: Adolescence and Young Adulthood (14- 18+) are exempt from the Middle Level Humanities subtest I.
• Educators who hold a NBPTS Certificate in Social Studies and History: Early Adolescence (11-15) and Social Studies and History: Adolescence and Young Adulthood (14- 18+) are exempt from the Middle Level Humanities subtest II. 

*Science

Educators must hold a Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, or Physics endorsement before adding the General Science endorsement via Test Only. 

*World Languages

 In addition to the designated world languages WEST-E test above, applicants must complete the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) and Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in the specific world language, scoring Advanced-Low or higher. Please visit ACTFL at Language Testing International. 

Additional Language-Specific Requirements

World Languages-Arabic: In addition to the designated world language WEST-E test, applicants for Arabic must complete one of the following:  

1. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) and the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in Arabic: Score of Advanced-Low or higher. Please visit the ACTFL Language Testing International site for more information.  
   OR 
2. Avant Arabic Proficiency Test (APT): Score of 7 or higher on all four parts. Please visit the Global Seal of Biliteracy APT Testing page for more information.  

World Languages-American Sign Language: Individuals must meet one of the following:  

1. Hold American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA) Certification 
   OR 
2. Complete the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview Assessment (ASLPI): Proficiency level of 3+ or above, and the designated world language WEST-E test 100. 

World Languages-Latin: ACTFL does not administer tests for Latin. For the Latin world language endorsement, a candidate must take the new WEST-E: DWL and the WEST-E: Latin exam. Please visit the Language Testing International site for more information.