Career and Technical Education (CTE), K-12 Certificates

Certificate Information

Overview: Career and Technical Education (CTE) K-12 Certificates authorize the holder to teach one of the following CTE programs, as indicated on the certificate: Agriculture, Business and Marketing, Education and Training, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health Careers, and Industrial and Emerging Technologies. Additional approved areas or endorsements may not be added to this certificate EXCEPT for the Structured English Immersion (SEI), English as a Second Language (ESL), Bilingual, Cooperative Education, and Driver's Education endorsements. Certificates are valid for 12 years and are renewable.  Requirements may be subject to change and are fully referenced in the Arizona Revised Statutes and Administrative Code R7-2-601, R7-2-607, R7-2-612, R7-2-612.01, and R7-2-621.

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

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.
  • IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card: A valid Arizona DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card.
    • Work Experience Verification: A Verification of Experience for CTE Form completed and signed by your current or former supervisor, a current school superintendent, or the appropriate ADE CTE state supervisor, verifying the required clock hours of work experience in the specified CTE occupational area.  Note: Unless otherwise indicated, work experience refers to business or industry experience, not teaching experience. 
    • Official Transcripts (if applicable): Official transcript(s) verifying the specified degree and coursework if required for the option you are applying under.
      • 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 Agencies" list.
    • Additional Documents (if applicable):   If applicable, submit a copy of one year of your most recent teacher evaluation(s) (Option B) or a copy of the Department-CTE approved industry certification, license, or credential (Option E).   

    All options to qualify for a Career and Technical Education (CTE) certificate require verification of work experience in the specific CTE occupational area requested. The number of clock hours or years of work experience required depends on the option you are applying under. Verified work experience means written documentation from a current or former supervisor, a current superintendent, or the Department of Education CTE Programmatic State Supervisor indicating that the applicant has performed work experience in the occupational area.  

    "Agriculture Occupational Area" means occupations related to work experience in agriculture operations, and related sciences; natural resources and conservation; environmental design; landscape architecture; agricultural biological engineering; forest engineering, biological and biomedical sciences; parks, recreation, and leisure facilities management; geological and earth sciences/geosciences; veterinary/animal health technician/veterinary assistant; environmental health; and veterinary medicine.

    “Business and Marketing Occupational Area” means occupations related to work experience in computer and information sciences and support services; accounting and computer information services; business/commerce, general; business administration, management, and operations; accounting; business operations support and assistant services; business/corporate communications; business/managerial economics; entrepreneurial and small business operations; finance and financial management services; hospitality administration/management; human resources management and services; international business; management information systems and services; management sciences and quantitative methods; marketing; real estate; taxation; insurance; general sales, merchandising, and related marketing operations; specialized sales, merchandising and marketing operations; and business, management, marketing, and related support services.

    “Education and Training Occupational Area” means occupations related to work experience in the occupational areas of secondary education and teaching; junior high/intermediate/middle school education and teaching; elementary education and teaching; kindergarten/preschool education and teaching; early childhood education and teaching; adult education and teaching; and special education.

    “Family and Consumer Sciences Occupational Area” means occupations related to work experience in culinary arts; kindergarten/preschool education and teaching; early childhood education and teaching; family and consumer sciences/human sciences; nutrition sciences; interior design; hospitality administration/management; fashion merchandising; fashion modeling; apparel and accessories marketing operations; tourism and travel services marketing operations; tourism promotion operations; and hospitality and recreation marketing operations.

    “Health Careers Occupational Area” means occupations related to work experience in exercise physiology; clinical kinesiology and exercise science; medical/clinical assistant; clinical/medical laboratory assistant; pharmacy technician/assistant; medical radiologic technology/science-radiation therapist; radiologic technology/science-radiographer; physician assistant; athletic training/trainer; clinical/medical laboratory technician; clinical laboratory science/medical technology/technologist; phlebotomy/phlebotomist; medicine; nursing/registered nurse; osteopathic medicine/osteopathy; pharmacy; physical therapy/therapist; and kinesiotherapy/kinesiotherapist.

    “Industrial and Emerging Technologies Occupational Area” means occupations related to work experience in audiovisual communications technologies/technicians; graphic communications (journalism); cosmetology and personal grooming services; electrical engineering technologies/technicians; electromechanical instrumentation and maintenance technologies/technicians; environmental control technologies/technicians; industrial production technologies/technicians; quality control and safety technologies/technicians; mechanical engineering related technologies/technicians; mining and petroleum technologies/technicians; construction engineering technologies; engineering-related technologies; computer engineering technologies/technicians; drafting/design engineering technologies/technicians; security and protective services; mason/masonry; carpenters; electrical and power transmission installers; building/construction finishing, management and inspection; electrical/electronics maintenance and repair technology; heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration maintenance technology/technician; heavy/industrial equipment maintenance technologies; precision systems maintenance and repair technologies; vehicle maintenance and repair technologies; precision metal working; construction/heavy equipment/earthmoving equipment operation; design and visual communications, general; commercial and advertising art; industrial design; commercial photography; and visual performing arts.

      Applicants may qualify for a Standard CTE certificate under one of the five options listed below.  When reviewing these options, please be aware of the following:

      • "CTE Field of Study" refers to one of the following CTE Certification areas that you are applying for: Agriculture, Business and Marketing, Education and Training, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health Careers, or Industrial and Emerging Technologies. 
      • "CTE Occupational Area" refers to employment in the specific CTE field of study.  Please click on the "Glossary of Terms" button above for detailed information on occupational experience for each CTE field of study.

       

      Option A:

      Bachelor’s degree in the CTE Area + 240 clock hours of Work Experience

      • Degree: Official transcripts documenting a Bachelor's or more advanced degree from an accredited institution in the CTE field of study and
      • Coursework: Official transcripts documenting thirty (30) semester hours of courses in the CTE field of study; and
      • Verified Work Experience: Verification of 240 clock hours of work experience in the CTE occupational area.

       

      This option includes allowable requirements that must be met within three years of issuance of the Standard CTE certificate.  Please click the "Allowable Deficiencies" button below for further information.

       

      OR

      Option B:

      Valid Arizona teaching certificate + Satisfactory Teacher Evaluation(s) + 240 Clock hours of Work Experience 

      • Prerequisite Certificate: A valid Arizona Provisional or Standard teaching certificate for teachers in Birth through grade 12; and
      • Coursework: Three semester hours of courses in professional knowledge in career and technical education to include any of the following areas: principles/philosophy of career and technical education, developmentally appropriate instructional delivery, facilitation, and methodologies for career and technical education, or instructional technology.  Three semester hours may be obtained through Board or Department-CTE approved professional development.  Fifteen (15) clock hours of approved professional development equals one semester hour; and
      • Teacher Evaluation(s): One year of the most recent teacher evaluation(s) approved by a certificated administrator, or the administrator’s designee, in a PreK-12 school setting and issued during the term of the Arizona teaching certificate exhibiting satisfactory performance in the classroom; and
      • Verified Work Experience: Two hundred forty clock hours of verified work experience in the CTE occupational area.

       

      This option includes additional requirements that must be met within three years of issuance of the Standard CTE certificate.  Please click the "Allowable Deficiencies" button below for further information.

       

      OR

        Option C:

        6000 Clock Hours of Work Experience 

        • Verified Work Experience: Six thousand (6000) clock hours of verified Work Experience in the CTE occupational area. 

         

        This option includes allowable requirements that must be met within three years of issuance of the Standard CTE certificate.  Please click the "Allowable Deficiencies" button below for further information.

         

        OR

        Option D:

        Bachelor’s degree including Teacher Preparation Program in the CTE Area + 240 Clock hours of Work Experience

        • Degree: A Bachelor's or a more advanced degree that included completion of a Board approved teacher preparation program in the CTE field of study, or a program from an accredited institution offering substantially similar training, addressing the following topics in career and technical education and any others as required by law: principles/philosophy of career and technical education; instructional design and lesson planning, including modifications and accommodations; the learning environment, including classroom management; developmentally appropriate instructional delivery, facilitation, and methodologies; assessing, monitoring, and reporting progress; teaching students with exceptionalities, and professional responsibility and ethical conduct; and
        • Verified Work Experience: Two hundred forty clock hours of verified work experience in the CTE occupational area. 

         

        This option includes additional requirements that must be met within three years of issuance of the Standard CTE certificate.  Please click the "Allowable Deficiencies" button below for further information.

         

        OR

        Option E

        Standard Specialized CTE Certificate: Subject Matter Expertise + 5 Years of Work Experience

        • Subject Matter Expertise: Demonstration of expertise in the CTE area through one of the following:
          • A Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree in the CTE field of study; or
          • A Bachelor’s or more advanced degree and completion of 24 semester hours of coursework in the CTE field of study; or
          • An Associate’s degree in the CTE field of study; or
          • An industry certification, license, or credential in the CTE field approved by the Arizona Department of Education CTE Program Specialist or CTE Program Services Director. You may download the current Specialized CTE Industry Certification list here; or
          • Verification of experience teaching courses in the CTE field of study for the last two consecutive years, and a total of at least three years, at one or more accredited postsecondary institutions.
        • Verified Work Experience: Five (5) years of verified work experience in the CTE occupational area.

        Applicants who otherwise qualify may be issued a Standard CTE certificate with the following allowable deficiencies which must be completed within three years from the date of issuance:

        • Education Coursework: Fifteen (15) semester hours of courses in professional knowledge in career and technical education from an accredited institution.
          • Fifteen semester hours may be obtained through Board or Department-CTE-approved professional development.  Fifteen (15) clock hours of approved professional development equals one semester hour.
            • This applies to Options A and C only.
        • Subject Knowledge Coursework (Option B only): Nine semester hours of subject knowledge courses in the CTE field of study.
        • Professional Knowledge Exam - Secondary Education: A passing score on the NES Professional Knowledge Secondary Exam or qualification for a waiver of the exam requirement.
        • U.S. Constitution: A college/university course OR a passing score on the approved exam covering United States Constitution.
        • AZ Constitution: A college/university course OR a passing score on the approved exam covering Arizona Constitution. 

        Applicants will have three (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 and will not be valid for employment until the deficiencies are corrected.  For additional information and resources, 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 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 Occupational Experience: Please request that the verifying HR complete and submit the Verification of Experience for CTE Certificates Form, and email it to [email protected].

        Accepted Photocopies from the Applicant

        • AZDPS IVP Card: Submit a photocopy of the Arizona DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance card. 

          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.