Special Education Mild/Moderate Disabilities, K-12

Certificate Information

Overview: This Certificate authorizes the holder to teach in a Mild/Moderate Disabilities classroom in grades K-12 as documented by student needs in the individualized education program and the following categories, including autism, mild/moderate intellectual disabilities, traumatic brain injury, emotional disability, specific learning disability, orthopedic impairments, developmental delay and/or other health impairments. Approved areas and endorsements may be added to this certificate. This certificate is valid for 12 years and is renewable.  Requirements may be subject to change and are fully referenced in the Arizona Revised Statutes and Administrative Code R7-2-606; R7-2-607; R-2-601.01; R7-2-611 (A)(B)(D); R7-2-621.

Out-of-state certificate or National Board Teaching Certificate: If you hold a valid comparable out-of-state educator certificate/license, or a comparable National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certificate, follow this link for information and steps to apply under Certification Reciprocity. 

To qualify for this certificate applicants must meet Option A or B under Required Coursework/Training and meet the Professional Exam requirement under Required Exams.  

A formal review is required to verify that all requirements have been met. Please visit the "How to Submit Official Documents" below for the proper submission of the required documents. Failure to submit documents as described could cause a delay in the processing of the application.

  • Application: A completed Application for Certification. 
  • Fee: The fee for this certificate is $60. Per Board-rule, certification fees are non-refundable. 
  • AZDPS IVP Card: A valid Arizona DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card.
  • Official Transcripts: Official Transcripts documenting a Bachelor's or more advanced degree and all applicable coursework.
    • Note: If you completed your degree and applicable coursework was completed 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 Agencies" list.
  • Exam: A passing score on the required professional knowledge exam (NES Special Education NT601), or appropriate documentation to meet the exam requirement.
  • Teaching Experience (if applicable): If you are using teaching experience to meet certification requirements, have your district/school human resources office complete and submit the "Verification of PreK-12 Teaching Experience" form.
    • Please note that teaching experience does not fulfill all requirements for certification. 

Option A: Teacher Preparation Program

  • Completion of a teacher preparation program in Mild/Moderate Disabilities Special Education from a Board-approved educator preparation program, or from an accredited college or university offering substantially similar training, which includes the coursework outlined under Option B, Requirement B-2, and at least 12 weeks of a capstone (student teaching) experience in a mild/moderate special Education in grades K - 12.

 

  • This option has allowable deficiencies, please see the "Allowable Deficiencies" tab below.

 

OR

 

Option B: Teaching Experience and Coursework/Training

Both B-1 & B-2 are required

  • B-1 - Teaching Experience: Two (2) years of full-time teaching experience serving children in a mild/moderate disabilities special education setting in grades K-12. 
  • B-2 - Coursework: Completion of Board-approved or accredited coursework or training which teaches the knowledge and skills described in Arizona Administrative Code R7-2-602 and addresses the following topics:
    • Instructional design and lesson planning, including specially designed instruction;
    • The learning environment, including classroom and behavioral management;
    • Instructional delivery, facilitation, and methodologies;
    • Legal aspects of special education, including individualized education programs and transition planning;
    • Effective collaboration and communication practices, including modifications and accommodations;
    • Research-based instruction in math;
    • Research-based instruction in English language arts;
    • Assessment and eligibility, including monitoring and reporting requirements;
    • Language development and disorders; 

 

  • This option has allowable deficiencies, please see the "Allowable Deficiencies" tab below. 

There are multiple options for meeting the Professional Knowledge Exam requirements, below are the most common. Select "Other Exam Options" for additional exam waivers. 

Professional Knowledge Exam Requirement - One of the following

  • Option A - Arizona Exam: A passing score on the AEPA/NES Special Education (NT 601) exam.
  • Option B - Out-of-State Exam: A passing score on a similar professional knowledge exam from another state.
  • Option C - Teaching Experience: Three years of full-time teaching experience in any state, including Arizona, in a mild/moderate disabilities special education classroom in grades K-12.
    • Experience teaching in a foreign school does not meet this requirement.
    • Experience as a substitute does not meet this requirement.

This certificate allows for the following deficiencies and will be due within 3-years of the issuance of the certificate. 

  • Phonics: A college/university course or an approved training in research-based systematic phonics.
  • Reading Intervention (Dyslexia):  A college/university course or an approved training research-based instructional strategies for delivering differentiated reading instruction, assessment, intervention, and remediation to support readers of varying ages and ability levels, including students with dyslexia.
  • Ethics: A college/university course or Board-approved training in professional responsibility and ethical conduct.
  • U.S. Constitution: A college/university course OR a passing score on the approved exam covering United States Constitution.
    • If you add the approved area to the certificate of History, Social Studies, or Political Science/American Government at the time of issuance you will have 1 year to meet this requirement.
  • AZ Constitution: A college/university course OR a passing score on the approved exam covering Arizona Constitution. 
    • If you add the approved area to the certificate of History, Social Studies, or Political Science/American Government at the time of issuance you will have 1 year to meet this requirement.

 

Applicants will have 3 years to complete the above allowable deficiency requirements.  If these are not met within the allowable timeframe, the certificate will be placed on non-disciplinary suspension. Once the deficiencies are met, the certificate end date will be extended back to its original date.  For additional information and resources for meeting these deficiencies please visit the Deficiency Removal page.

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: If you are using teaching experience to meet Certification requirements, request that the 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 Educator Exams:  Submit a photocopy of the official score report documenting a passing score on the Arizona educator exam(s) (AEPA/NES).  

    Ready to apply - click here for step-by-step directions

    Pursuant to section 41-1093.01, Arizona Revised Statutes, an agency shall limit all occupational regulations to regulations that are demonstrated to be necessary to specifically fulfill a public health, safety, or welfare concern. Pursuant to sections 41-1093.02 and 41-1093.03, Arizona Revised Statutes, you have the right to petition this agency to repeal or modify the occupational regulation or bring an action in a court of general jurisdiction to challenge the occupational regulation and to ensure compliance with section 41-1093.01, Arizona Revised Statutes.