Bilingual Education, PreK-12

Endorsement Information

Overview: The Bilingual Education, PreK-12 Endorsement authorizes the holder for the position of a bilingual classroom teacher, bilingual resource teacher, bilingual specialist, or otherwise responsible for providing bilingual instruction within the scope of the prerequisite certificate. The holder of a full Bilingual Endorsement is also authorized to teach English as a Second Language or in a Structured English Immersion setting within the scope of the prerequisite certificate. Requirements may be subject to change and are fully referenced in the Arizona Revised Statutes and Administrative Code: R7-2-601, R-2-607; R7-2-615, 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, 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 Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle Grades, Secondary, Special Education, Career and Technical Education, PreK-12 Teaching, Subject Matter Expert, Specialized Secondary STEM, Supervisor, Principal, or Superintendent 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.
  • Language Proficiency: Appropriate documentation to show proof of proficiency in a spoken language other than English.
  • Official Transcripts: Official transcripts documenting 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 (if applicable): If you are using teaching experience to meet endorsement requirements, please have your school/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. 

The provisional endorsement is valid for 3 years and is not renewable.

Applicants must meet both requirements.

  • Prerequisite Certificate: A valid Arizona Elementary, Secondary, Special Education, Career and Technical Education, Early Childhood, Arts Education Prek-12, PreK-12 Physical Education, Subject Matter Expert, Specialized Secondary STEM, Supervisor, Principal, or Superintendent Certificate. -AND-
  • Language Proficiency:  Proficiency in a spoken language other than English or sign language. See "Language Proficiency Options" for options to meet this requirement.

The full endorsement will automatically renew with the certificate on which it is attached. 

All requirements listed below must be met.

  • Prerequisite Certificate: A valid Arizona Elementary, Secondary, Special Education, Career and Technical Education, Early Childhood, Arts Education Prek-12, PreK-12 Physical Education, Subject Matter Expert, Specialized Secondary STEM, Supervisor, Principal, or Superintendent Certificate.

-AND-

  • Bilingual Education Program or Coursework (Option A or B):
    • Option A: Completion of a bilingual education program from an accredited institution. -OR-
    • Option B: Completion of the following Bilingual Education courses:
      • Three semester hours of foundations of instruction for non-English-language-background students;
      • Three semester hours of bilingual methods;
      • Three semester hours of English as a Second Language for bilingual settings;
      • Three semester hours of courses in bilingual materials and curriculum; assessment of limited-English-proficient students; teaching reading and writing in the native language, or English as a Second Language for bilingual settings;
      • Three semester hours of linguistics to include psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, first language acquisition, and second language acquisition for language minority students; or American Indian language linguistics;
      • Three semester hours of courses dealing with school, community, and family culture and parental involvement in programs of instruction for non-English-language-background students;
      • Three semester hours of courses in methods of teaching and evaluating handicapped children from non-English-language backgrounds. These hours are only required for bilingual endorsements on special education certificates.

-AND-

  • Practicum or Experience: Official transcripts documenting a bilingual education practicum OR verification of two years of verified full-time bilingual teaching experience.

-AND-

  • Language Proficiency: Proof of proficiency in a spoken language other than English. Please see "Language Proficiency Options" for options to meet this requirement.

Language proficiency is required for both the provisional and the full Bilingual Education, PreK-12 Endorsement. One of the following is required

  • Arizona Classroom Spanish Proficiency Exam: Verification from the language department at Arizona State University or the University of Arizona that you passed the Arizona Classroom Spanish Proficiency Examination approved by the Board;
  • Arizona Exam: A passing score on a foreign language subject knowledge portion of the Arizona Educator ProficiencyAssessment (AEPA) or National Evaluation Series (NES) exam;
  • Out-of-State Exam: A passing score on a similar foreign language exam from another state or agency;
  • ACTFL: An official score report documenting a minimum passing score of "Advanced Low" on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Speaking and Writing exam in the foreign language
  • Exam not offered: If an exam in the language is not offered through the Arizona Teacher Proficiency Assessments or the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, proficiency may be verified by the language department of an accredited institution.
  • Native American Language: A letter from an official designated by the appropriate tribe verifying proficiency in an American Indian language;
  • ASL Coursework: Official transcripts documenting 24 semester hours of courses in American Sign Language;
  • NBPTS: A valid comparable certificate in the foreign language from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards;
  • Degree: Official transcripts documenting a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate degree in the foreign language from an accredited institution;
  • Teaching Experience: Verification of three years of full-time teaching experience in any state, including Arizona, in a single subject, foreign language classroom;
    • Note: Substitute teaching or experience teaching in a foreign school does not meet this requirement.

Other Exam Options

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 Report: 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 Arizona Department of Education (8517).
  • Verification of Teaching Experience: If submitting teaching experience in place of the practicum or to meet the language proficiency requirement, 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. 
  • Arizona Exam: Submit a photocopy of the official score report.  
  • Arizona Classroom Spanish Proficiency Exam: Submit a copy of the letter (on official letterhead) from the appropriate testing coordinator from Arizona State University or the Univerisity of Arizona documenting you passed the Arizona Classroom Spanish Proficiency exam.

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.