Education Licensure Information for Washington

You could complete an initial teacher licensure program from ACE and apply it to Washington’s out-of-state licensure requirements to obtain your Elementary (K-8), Secondary (5-12) or Special Education (P-12) licensure in Washington.

ACE accepts applicable content exams for our licensure program admission requirements. Applicability is determined by ACE upon review.

To obtain licensure in Washington, you must satisfy additional requirements, including:

• Submitting Washington’s Pre-Residency Clearance (Form 4050E) prior to beginning the field experience or internship component of your teacher preparation program
• Submitting official transcripts showing degree conferral
• Completing a basic skills test (WEST-B or approved alternative) and passing a content area test for the endorsement sought (WEST-E/NES or approved alternative)
• Submitting fingerprints for a background check
• Contacting [email protected] and providing Form 4020E for completion

For the most current information about becoming a teacher in Washington, please check the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction website.

You could complete ACE’s M.Ed. in Educational Leadership or Certificate in Principal Preparation (if you already possess a master’s degree) and apply it to Washington’s out-of-state licensure requirements to obtain your Residency Principal Certificate in Washington.

You must satisfy additional requirements, including: 

• Holding or previously held a regular Teacher, Educational Staff Associate or Initial/Continuing CTE certificate
• Three years of successful educational experience
• Submitting official transcripts showing master’s degree completion
• Contacting [email protected] and providing Form 4001E for completion

For the most current information on becoming a principal in Washington, please check the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction website.

The following ACE programs can be applied to Washington’s requirements to add an English Language Learner (ELL) endorsement to your Washington license: 

• M.Ed. in Teaching English Learners
• Certificate in Teaching English Learners

A practicum is required. The practicum hours must include experiences working directly with students whose primary language is not English. A waiver can be granted to students who have prior experience.

You must satisfy additional requirements, including: 

• Completing the appropriate WEST-E/NES tests
• Submitting an Institutional Verification of Endorsement Program Completion and Character (Form 1522E) – which ACE will complete for you – when applying for the endorsement

For the most current information on this endorsement in Washington, please check the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction website.