Overview of Washington Testing Requirements

For a first-level regular certificate in Washington, all candidates must:

• Earn a bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
• Complete a state-approved educator preparation program OR complete a state-approved alternative pathway educator preparation program; verify at least 3 years of K–12 teaching experience outside of Washington and hold a regular certificate in another state.
• Pass the Washington assessment requirements for admission to educator preparation programs, the Washington Educator Skills Tests-Basic (WEST-B).
• Pass the Washington Educator Skills Tests-Endorsements (WEST-E) for designated content endorsements.

For further information on other types of educator certificates, including advanced professional certification, access educator certification requirements links.

• The Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) asks for a Social Security number (SSN) as part of the certification process in order to accurately identify applicants and ensure that the appropriate test score is properly included in your applicant file. ETS does not require your SSN for its own purposes but will submit it to OSPI with your test results. Providing this information is voluntary. Failure to provide your SSN could delay processing of your certification application.
• The Washington Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) redeveloped the tests needed for P–12 educator endorsements. The new tests are known as the WEST-E (Washington Educator Skills Tests-Endorsements). Use of the Praxis tests were phased out. For information about new assessment requirements for endorsements, go to the State of Washington Professional Educator Standards Board of Education testing information.
• To be certain that you are taking the content knowledge test that will meet the requirements specific to your situation, access the Washington Educator Skills Test Endorsement page, or speak to the admissions staff at the institution of interest.
• Only Praxis tests for the education staff associate (ESA) certificates for Professional School Counselor and School Psychologist will be used by the state of Washington.

Prior to entering an educator preparation program at your college or university, you may be required to take the Washington Educator Skills Tests-Basic (WEST-B) tests to demonstrate your qualifications.

In Washington, you must take the Washington Educator Skills Tests-Endorsements (WEST-E) for designated content endorsements.

Learn about highly qualified teacher status in the state of Washington, including highly qualified teacher improvement and accountability plans, requirements and available resources.

For specific information about teacher requirements, go to Title II Part A, Teacher and Principal Quality.

Learn more about Alternate Route Programs available for educator certification in the state of Washington at the Professional Educator Standards Board website.