In Washington, educators must obtain a Washington certificate in order to serve in the public schools. Certificates or licenses from another state or jurisdiction do not cover employment in Washington. While the interstate agreement facilitates the movement of educators among states and other jurisdictions that are members of the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC), our state rarely uses the provision of the contract for individuals who hold certification in another state. Washington’s rules allow us to recognize ANY state approved educator preparation program and degree from a regionally accredited institution to meet our basic requirements. This in essence, allows educators who have completed a college/university preparation program in another state, reciprocity for our state to recognize and accept that program toward our certification requirements.

Details regarding the NASDTEC agreement are available online here: http://www.nasdtec.org/agreement.php