Reading Specialist, K-8 Endorsement
Overview: The Reading Specialist, K-8 authorizes the holder for the positions of reading specialist, reading interventionist, reading coach, or a similar role in kindergarten through grade eight. This endorsement automatically renews with the certificate on which it is attached. Requirements for certification are subject to change and fully referenced in the Arizona Revised Statutes and State Board of Education Rules.
Out-of-State Certificate Holders: If you hold a valid, comparable educator certificate or endorsement in another state, please see the Certification Reciprocity Requirements for information on applying under reciprocity rules.
- Prerequisite Certificate: You must hold a valid Arizona Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle Grades, Secondary, or Special Education teaching certificate to add this endorsement.
- Application: A completed Application for Certification and the required fee. The fee for this endorsement is $60. Fees are non-refundable.
- AZDPS IVP Card: Verify through the ADE Educator Portal that your valid Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) IVP fingerprint clearance card is on file with ADE or include a photocopy of the AZDPS IVP card with your application.
- Teaching Experience: Verification of three years of full-time teaching experience. Please have your district/school human resources office complete and submit the Verification of PreK-12 Teaching Experience form.
- Official Transcripts: Official transcripts documenting all applicable coursework. Electronic official transcripts must be sent directly by the college or university to [email protected] . Paper official transcripts must be mailed to the ADE-Certification Unit.
- Note: If you completed your degree and applicable coursework at an institution outside of the United States, you must submit an evaluation from a Department approved foreign credential evaluation agency. Please see the "Approved Foreign Credential Evaluation" list.
- Exam (if applicable): Submit a copy of the official score report showing you passed the AEPA Reading Endorsement K-8 exam, or appropriate documentation to qualify for a waiver of the exam requirement. Please see the Requirements for the Reading Endorsement, K-8, Option B for details.
All requirements listed below must be met.
Prerequisite Certificate: A valid Arizona Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle Grades, Secondary, or Special Education teaching certificate.
-AND-
Teaching Experience: Verification of three years of full-time teaching experience in preschool through grade 12.
-AND-
Reading Practicum: Three semester hours of elementary practicum in reading that includes experience with students in kindergarten through grade five.
-AND-
One of the following (Option A or B):
- Option A - Coursework. Completion of 21 semester hours of reading courses to include all of the following:
- Science of Reading*: Three semester in the science of reading instruction, including systematic phonics instruction. Completion of 45 clock hours of Arizona Department of Education-approved training in the science of reading may substitute for the three semester hours of coursework;
- Reading Intervention*: Three semester hours in reading instruction, including assessments, instructional practices, and interventions to improve student reading proficiency for struggling readers, including students with the characteristics of dyslexia. Completion of 45 clock hours of Arizona Department of Education-approved training in reading instruction, assessment, and intervention may substitute for the three semester hours of college coursework;
- Essential Elements of Reading (K-8): Three semester hours in the essential elements of elementary reading and writing instruction (grades K through eight);
- Content Area Reading (K-8): Three semester hours in the elements of elementary content area reading and writing (grades K through eight);
- Reading Assessment: Three semester hours in reading assessment systems;
- Supervision of a Reading Program*: Three semester hours in the administration and supervision of a reading program at the elementary level;
- Reading Elective: Three semester hours of elective course(s) in an area of focus that will deepen knowledge in the teaching of reading to elementary students, such as children's literature or teaching reading to English language learners.
* Important Note: On February 24, 2025, the State Board of Education approved changes to the requirements for the Reading Specialist, K-8 endorsement. The Board also allowed for a one-year transition period, so that applicants could qualify for the endorsement by meeting either all of the previous requirements or all of the new requirements. If your application is received on or before February 24, 2026 the following courses may be accepted:
- Three semester hours in the theoretical and research foundations of language and literacy may replace the Science of Reading requirement.
- An additional three semester hours in reading assessment (for a total of six semester hours) may replace the Reading Intervention requirement.
- Three semester hours in leadership may replace the Supervision of a Reading Program requirement.
- Option B: Reading Endorsement K-8 Exam**. One of the following:
- Arizona Exam: A passing score on the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment (AEPA) Subject Knowledge Reading Endorsement K-8 (AZ046) exam.
- Out-of-State Exam: A passing score on a similar subject knowledge exam from another state.
- Degree in Reading: A Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree in Reading, K-8 from an accredited institution.
- Reading Specialist Experience: Three years of full-time experience as a reading specialist or reading interventionist in grades K-8 in any state, including Arizona.
- Note: Experience as a reading specialist or reading interventionist in a foreign country or as a substitute teacher will not be accepted.
** Important Note: Effective February 24, 2026, in addition to meeting the Reading, K-8 exam requirement applicants will need to complete the following college courses or ADE-approved trainings:
- Science of Reading: Three semester of college coursework or 45 clock hours of ADE-approved training in the science of reading instruction, including systematic phonics instruction; and
- Reading Intervention: Three semester hours of college coursework or 45 clock hours of ADE-approved training in reading instruction, including assessments, instructional practices, and interventions to improve student reading proficiency for struggling readers, including students with the characteristics of dyslexia.
Documents requiring submission by the verifying authority
- Official Transcripts: Transcripts that are uploaded through the educator portal or emailed by the applicant are not official and will not be accepted. Official transcripts and foreign credential evaluations must be submitted as follows:
- Electronic official transcripts must be submitted directly by the college or university to [email protected].
- Paper official transcripts must be in a sealed envelope and mailed by the college or university to the Arizona Department of Education - Certification Unit; PO Box 6490, Phoenix, AZ 85005-6490.
- Foreign credential evaluations must be sent directly by the approved foreign credential evaluation agency to [email protected] or mailed to the Arizona Department of Education - Certification Unit.
- Out-of-State Exam Score Reports: If you are using out-of-state exams, include a copy of the out-of-state score report with your application and have exams verified as follows:
- Forward the Verification of Out-of-State Exams form to the state agency that accepted the exam. This form must be completed and submitted by an official with the state agency.
- If you are using Praxis exam(s), have your scores reported by ETS to the Arizona Department of Education (8517).
- Verification of Teaching Experience: Request that your district/school human resources office complete and submit the Verification of PreK-12 Teaching Experience form directly to [email protected].
Accepted Photocopies from the Applicant
- AZDPS IVP Card: Submit a photocopy of the Arizona DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance card.
- Arizona Exams: Submit a photocopy of the official score report.
