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• Enjoy a variety of concerts, shopping, dining, recreation and entertainment
• Four beautiful seasons and lack of traffic make the area an attractive place to live
• The Spokane region is home to 76 lakes within a 50 mile radius, 4 major rivers, 5 ski/snowboard areas and over 100 parks
• There are 35 affordable, picturesque public and private golf courses within an easy driving distance
• The region's economic power lies in education, technology, manufacturing, finance, retail, agriculture and healthcare

How do I become a Teacher in Washington?

Teachers in public schools in Washington are required to hold a valid teaching certificate. In order to get a certificate, you must:

• Obtain your degree. A minimum of a bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited college or university is required.
• Complete a preparation program. Complete a teacher preparation program at a regionally- accredited college or university recognized by Washington state OR complete an alternative pathway to certification if you already have a BA OR hold certification in another state and have taught 3 years at the P-12 level.
• Successfully pass tests. Teachers must pass a basic skills test and (for each endorsement) an endorsement test.

Brief overview of requirements for first-time applicants:

• Apply for the Residency or Substitute Teaching certificate – available online through e- Certification (document code 4031).
• Provide official transcripts from your college/university verifying Bachelor's or higher.
• Provide institutional recommendation for endorsement – Form 4020E Verification of Program Completion and/or form 4020F-1 Verification of Experience showing three or more years out-of-state. These requirements verify teaching preparation and allow us to add endorsement area recommendations to your certificate.
• Provide copies of any out-of-state credentials held.
• Complete testing – both basic skills and subject area tests are required.
  
  • The WEST-B basic skills assessment or, in lieu, see here: www.k12.wa.us/certi
  • For subject area testing (per endorsement recommendation), you will need to take the appropriate WEST-E or NES tests: www.west.nesinc.com/PageView.aspx?f=GEN_Tests.html
• Complete a fingerprint background check:
  www.k12.wa.us/ProfPractices/
• Pay required fees – a processing fee for the application, plus an additional fee if applying for a substitute certificate at the same time. You are eligible to sub on the residency certificate, but the substitute certificate is valid for life with no renewal requirements.