Physical Education, PreK-12
Endorsement Information
Overview: The Physical Education, PreK-12 Endorsement authorizes the holder to teach Physical Education in PreK-12. The endorsement will automatically renew with the certificate on which it is attached. 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: A valid Arizona Elementary, Middle Grades, Secondary or Special Education 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 all applicable coursework.
- Note: If you completed your degree and applicable coursework at an institution outside of the United States, you must submit a course-by-course evaluation from a Department approved foreign credential evaluation agency. Please see the "Approved Foreign Credential Evaluation Agencies" list.
- Subject Knowledge Proficiency: A passing score on the appropriate AEPA/NES Subject Knowledge Exam, or appropriate documentation to meet the Subject Knowledge Proficiency requirement.
The Physical Education, PreK-12 Endorsement requires all of the following:
- Prerequisite Certificate: A valid Arizona Elementary, Middle Grades, Secondary or Special Education Certificate.
-AND-
- Teaching Methods Coursework:
- One course in the methods of teaching Physical Education at the elementary level; -and-
- One course in the methods of teaching Physical Education at the secondary level.
-AND-
- Subject Knowledge Proficiency. One of the following:
- Coursework: A minimum of 30 semester hours of courses in Physical Education, which may include the required methods of teaching the subject courses; -or-
- Arizona Exam: A passing score on the AEPA/NES Subject Knowledge Physical Education (NT506) exam; -or-
- Out-of-State Exam: A passing score on a similar Subject Knowledge Exam from another state; -or-
- Degree in the Subject: A Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate degree in Physical Education from an accredited institution; -or-
- Teaching Experience: Three years of full-time teaching experience in any state, including Arizona, in Physical Education in grades PreK-12.
- Experience teaching in a foreign school does not meet this requirement.
- Experience as a substitute teacher does not meet this requirement.
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 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.
