Bilingual Education, PreK-12

Bilingual, PreK-12 Endorsement

Overview: The Bilingual, PreK-12 endorsements authorize the holder for the positions of 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, PreK-12 endorsement is also authorized to teach English learners within the scope of the prerequisite certificate. Requirements for certification are subject to change and are 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 Reciprocity Requirements for information on qualifying under certification reciprocity rules.  

  • Prerequisite Certificate: You must hold a valid Arizona Standard Professional teaching certificate, Subject Matter Expert Standard Teaching certificate, Specialized Secondary STEM certificate,  Classroom-Based Standard Teaching certificate, International Teaching certificate, Alternative Teaching certificate, Student Teaching Intern certificate, Career and Technical Education (CTE) certificate, or Administrative certificate (Supervisor, Principal, or Superintendent) to apply for this endorsement.
  • Application and Fee: Submission of the Application for Certification and 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. 
  • Proficiency in a World Language other than English: Appropriate documentation to verify proficiency in a world language other than English.
  • Official Transcripts (required for full Bilingual endorsement): 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.
  • Verification of Teaching Experience (if applicable): If you are using teaching experience towards specified requirements, please have your school/school human resources office complete and submit the Verification of PreK-12 Teaching Experience form.

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

  • Prerequisite Certificate: A valid Arizona Standard Professional Teaching, Subject Matter Expert Standard Teaching, Specialized Secondary STEM,  Classroom-Based Standard Teaching, International Teaching, Alternative Teaching, Student Teaching Intern, Career and Technical Education (CTE), Supervisor, Principal, or Superintendent Certificate. -AND-
  • Language Proficiency:  Verification of proficiency in a world language other than English or sign language. Please see "Language Proficiency Options" for options to meet this requirement.

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

The requirements are:

  • Prerequisite Certificate: A a valid Arizona Standard Professional teaching certificate, Subject Matter Expert Standard Teaching certificate, Specialized Secondary STEM certificate,  Classroom-Based Standard Teaching certificate, International Teaching certificate, Alternative Teaching certificate, Student Teaching Intern certificate, Career and Technical Education (CTE) certificate, or Administrative certificate (Supervisor, Principal, or Superintendent).

-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 courses in bilingual methods including, but not limited to, bilingual materials and curriculum;
      • Three semester hours of English as a Second Language for bilingual settings;
      • Three semester hours of courses in assessment of limited-English-proficient students and methods of teaching reading and writing in a bilingual classroom;
      • 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 children with disabilities from non-English-language backgrounds. These hours are only required for bilingual endorsements on special education certificates.

-AND-

  • Practicum or Experience. One of the following:
    • Option A: Three semester hours of practicum in a PreK-12 bilingual classroom; -OR- 
    • Option B: Verification of two years of full-time teaching experience in a PreK-12 bilingual classroom.

-AND-

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

Verification of proficiency in a world language other than English is required for the provisional and the full Bilingual endorsements. One of the following is required:

  • Option A: 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; or
  • Option B: Arizona Teacher Proficiency Assessment (AEPA/NES).  A passing score on a foreign language subject knowledge portion of the Arizona Educator ProficiencyAssessment (AEPA) or National Evaluation Series (NES) exam; or
  • Option C: Native American Language Proficiency Verification: A letter from an official designated by the appropriate tribe verifying proficiency in an American Indian language; or
  • Option D: Out-of-State Exam: A passing score on a similar foreign language exam from another state or agency; or
  • Option E: Degree in World Language: Official transcripts from an accredited postsecondary institution documenting a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate degree in the world language other than English; or
  • Option F: 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.
  • Option G: ACTFL foreign language exam: 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; or

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] or through Parchment.
    • 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 our online Contact Form.

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.