Alternative Teaching Certificate

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The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) will only be accepting applications via online and mail until further notice

The Arizona Department of Education will not be providing face to face certification services and will only accept applications for certification through their online portal (for certain services) and through regular mail. Information on submitting your application to ADE can be found in the steps below.

Teaching and Learning on an Arizona Alternative Teaching Certificate

The Alternative Teaching Certificate enables you to teach full time while you are attaining an M.Ed. in Secondary Education and completing requirements for an Arizona Standard Professional Secondary Certificate. The Alternative Teaching Certificate allows you to enter into a teaching contract and receive a full teaching salary and benefits.

Applying for an Alternative Teaching Certificate, valid for two years

Application materials are submitted by the applicant to the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) Certification Unit. Collect all required documents listed below before applying for the Alternative Teaching Certificate.

Requirements for the Alternative Teaching Certificate include:

1.  Bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited institution.

  • Submit an official transcript to the ADE Certification Unit, documenting a bachelor's or advanced degree. Unofficial transcripts will not be accepted.
    • Paper official transcripts may be sent by U.S. Mail to ADE at:
      ADE – Certification
      P.O. Box 6490
      Phoenix, Arizona 85005-6490
  • Electronic official transcripts must be sent from the college or university to Certification@azed.gov.

2.  Valid IVP fingerprint card.

  • Submit a photocopy of a valid Arizona IVP fingerprint card.

3. Verification of enrollment in the UA M.Ed. in Secondary Education Alternative Path Program.

  • Verification of enrollment will be confirmed by M.Ed. Program staff. To receive an Enrollment Verification Letter for the program, submit the following to Senior Teacher Education Coordinator, Alison Barrett.
  • Intent to Hire or verification of employment letter
  • Name of the school in which you are or will be teaching
  • Name of the school district
  • All grade levels you are or will be teaching (such as 7th-8th grade, 10th grade, or 9th-12th grade)
  • Name and job title of the school site mentor assigned by the school principal, if known
  • Academic subject you are or will be teaching (must align with the subject for which you have passed or will pass the NES or AEPA secondary subject knowledge exam or will seek a waiver through the ADE, based on a bachelor's or advanced degree in the subject
  • Copy of secondary subject knowledge exam score report, if available
    • If you have passed the secondary subject knowledge exam or have a bachelor's or advanced degree in the subject you will be teaching, the approved subject area will be listed on the Alternative Teaching Certificate
    • If you have not passed the secondary subject knowledge exam or do not have a bachelor's or advanced degree in the subject you will be teaching, the Alternative Teaching Certificate will not list an approved subject area.

To view a list of degree majors that qualify for a secondary subject knowledge exam waiver in specific approved areas, go to the ADE website.

Once you have submitted the information to Alison Barrett and are registered for or enrolled in program courses, you will receive an enrollment letter via email to include in the Alternative Teaching Certificate application you will submit to ADE.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are on an Alternative Teaching Certificate for history, government/political science, geography, or economics, you must meet the U.S. and Arizona Constitution requirement within the first year on the certificate. Your certificate cannot be extended if you have not met this requirement. This requirement may be met by taking a course or by passing the AEPA U.S. and Arizona Constitution exam.

4. Application for an Alternative Teaching Certificate.

How to Submit an Application to ADE for an Alternative Teaching Certificate:

The Arizona Department of Education will not be providing face to face certification services and will only accept applications for certification through their online portal and through regular mail.For more information on application submission steps on the ADE website.

Information on Applying for an Alternative Teaching Certificate Extension

The extension is valid for up to two, one-year extensions. There is no cost for the extension application. The application and support materials are submitted in person or by mail to the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) Certification Unit. Requirements include:

1. Valid IVP fingerprint card.

  • Submit a photocopy of valid Arizona IVP fingerprint card.

2. Official UA transcript showing satisfactory progress in the M.Ed. Program.

  • Submit only an official transcript; ADE does not accept unofficial transcripts.

Note: If you are on an Alternative Teaching Certificate for history, government/political science, geography, or economics, you must also verify that you have met the U.S and Arizona Constitution requirement by taking a course or by passing the AEPA U.S. and Arizona Constitution exam.

3. Extension letter from the M.Ed. Alternative Path Program verifying satisfactory progress. The point of contact is Alison Barrett, Senior Teacher Education Coordinator. At least four weeks prior to the certificate’s expiration date, submit the following via email:

  • Name of the school in which you will be teaching in the current or upcoming school year
  • Name of school district
  • All grade levels you will be teaching (such as 7th-8th grade, 10th grade, or 9th-12th grade)
  • Name of you Site Mentor at the school in which you teach
  • Academic subject area(s) you will be teaching (must be subject area(s) for which you have passed or will pass the NES or AEPA secondary subject knowledge exam or seek an exam waiver)

***Once Alison Barrett receives the information above, she will send your signed extension letter by email. Please note processing may take up to one week.

There is no cost to extend an Alternative Teaching Certificate.

Alternative Teaching Certificate Extension Tips:

  • The Alternative Teaching certificate is valid for two years from the date of issuance. In following the standard M.Ed. Alternative Path Program course rotation while on an Alternative Teaching Certificate, you may be able to complete the program on the first issued certificate. However, you may need an extension.
  • Submit an extension request to Alison Barrett at least four weeks prior to the certificate’s expiration date. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP YOUR ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATE CURRENT. If you do not make satisfactory process in the program, or you do not extend your certificate before it expires, your teaching position could be in jeopardy. Refer to your certificate for your specific expiration date or look up your certificate on the ADE website to see the expiration month.
  • If you allow your Alternative Teaching Certificate to expire, there can be significant impact to your ability to teach that may include losing benefits, a shift to teaching on a substitute certificate, or removal from the classroom until the certificate is renewed. You do not want this to happen.
  • There are a number of documents you must submit to ADE prior to your Alternative Teaching Certificate expiring to obtain an extension, including an official UA transcript that shows your successful progress in the M.Ed. Alternative Path Program. There are no exceptions to including your official transcript so please request it from the UA Registrar’s office with sufficient time prior to your certificate expiring. The request for a transcript is an online process for a fee. For an added fee, the Registrar’s office on UA main campus can provide an official transcript on a walk-in basis. UA distance campuses have no capability to issue an official transcript to you. More information on transcripts.
  • You must be making successful progress in the M.Ed. Alternative Path Program to be issued an extension. If you have a cumulative GPA lower than a 3.0, your extension letter may be compromised. If you are having academic difficulty during one of your semesters, it is vital that you are proactive with your instructors to resolve any issues.
  • If you are teaching in a social sciences area (high school history, government/political science, geography, economics, or middle grade social studies) you must have completed the U.S. and Arizona Constitution requirement by the time of extension. The requirement can be met by passing a U.S. and Arizona Constitution class at UA or a community college or by passing the AEPA U.S. and Arizona Constitution exam. If the course is taken at an institution other than UA, submit an official transcript to Alison Barrett upon completion.
  • Alternative Teaching Certificate documents and processes can be found on the ADE website.
  • Contact Alison Barrett by email or (520) 458-8278, ext. 2136 with your Alternative Teaching Certificate questions instead of contacting ADE; you will save yourself time and you will receive the most current information for your situation. ADE receives many calls and you may receive information that is correct in general but may not pertain to your specific circumstance. It is the work of the Teacher Education Coordinator, Alison Barrett, to help you through the nuances of the process and streamline your efforts.