Moderate/Severe Disabilities, PreK-12 Endorsement
Endorsement Information
Overview: The Moderate/Severe Disabilities, PreK-12 endorsement authorizes the holder to teach students with moderate/severe disabilities in a PreK-12 special education classroom. Requirements may be subject to change and are fully referenced in the Arizona Revised Statutes and Administrative Code: R7-2-607, R7-615.01, and R7-2-621.
Out-of-State Certificate Holders: If you hold a valid, comparable out-of-state educator certificate/license that is in good standing, please 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.
- Prerequisite Certificate: You hold a valid Arizona Standard Professional Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle Grades, Secondary, Hearing Impaired, Visually Impaired, Early Childhood Special Education, or Mild/Moderate Disabilities Certificate.
- Application: A completed Application for Certification.
- Fee: The fee for this endorsement 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 all applicable coursework.
- 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.
- Teaching Experience: Verification of three (3) years of full-time teaching experience in PreK-Grade 12. Please have your district/school human resources office complete and submit the Verification of PreK-12 Teaching Experience form to verify the required experience.
- Verification of Practicum Hours: A letter from a college or university department chair verifying completion of the required practicum hours in moderate/severe disabilities special education, PreK-12.
The provisional endorsement is valid for 3 years and is not renewable.
Applicants must meet all requirements listed below.
- Prerequisite Certificate: A valid Arizona Standard Professional Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle Grades, Secondary, Hearing Impaired, Visually Impaired, Early Childhood Special Education, or Mild/Moderate Disabilities Certificate.
- Teaching Experience: Verification of three (3) years of full-time teaching experience in PreK-Grade 12.
- Special Education Coursework: Six semester hours of special education coursework to include both of the following:
- Behavior management for students with disabilities; and
- Special education assessment and individualized education program planning.
- Practicum: Completion of 15 clock hours of practicum in moderate/severe disabilities special education completed through an accredited college or university. Practicum hours may be embedded in the coursework listed above.
The full endorsement will automatically renew with the certificate on which it is attached.
Applicants must meet all requirements listed below.
- Prerequisite Certificate: A valid Arizona Standard Professional Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle Grades, Secondary, Hearing Impaired, Visually Impaired, Early Childhood Special Education, or Mild/Moderate Disabilities Certificate.
- Teaching Experience: Three years of full-time teaching experience in PreK-Grade 12.
- Special Education Coursework: Official transcripts submitted to [email protected] by the university/college documenting completion of 15 semester hours of special education coursework to include the following:
- Behavior management for students with disabilities;
- Special education assessment and individualized education program planning;
- Special education law;
- Methods for teaching students with severe disabilities;
- Adaptive communication, including language development and disorders.
- Practicum: Completion of 45 clock hours of practicum in moderate/severe disabilities special education through an accredited college or university. Practicum hours may be embedded in the special education coursework listed above.
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.
- Verification of Teaching Experience: Please forward the Verification of PreK-12 Teaching Experience form to your school/district human resources office with a request to verify your experience. The form must be submitted by school/district human resources to [email protected].
Accepted Photocopies from the Applicant
- AZDPS IVP Card: Submit a photocopy of the Arizona DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance card.
- Practicum: Completion of forty-five clock hours of practicum in moderate/severe disabilities special education through an accredited college or university.
- A letter on official letterhead signed by a college/university administrator verifying completion of the required practicum hours; -OR-
- A course description from the college catalog verifying that the required practicum hours were included in one or more special education courses listed on the official transcript.
