After a review of foreign evaluation services, state practices of foreign evaluation, transcript and class translations, the office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has decided to amend the evaluation services approved by the certification office of OSPI. As of September 11, 2008, OSPI will accept translation services from members of the National Association of Credential evaluation Services (NACES). (Excluding Canada) For information regarding NACES, membership criteria, and NACES’ guiding principles of good practice for educational credential evaluation please visit http://www.naces.org

Informational brochure:

Once transcript is evaluated please continue with teacher certification requirements. 

The candidate must have:

• Earned a bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited college/university.
• Completed a state-approved teacher preparation program at a regionally accredited college/university
  OR
  completion of a state-approved alternative pathway teacher preparation program, verify at least 3 years of K-12 teaching experience outside Washington, and hold a regular certificate in another state.  In Washington there are 21 colleges/universities approved by the Professional Educator Standards Board to offer educator preparation programs.
• Out-of-state applicants must pass a basic skills test (WEST-B) within 12 months of receiving a temporary permit. See teacher assessments.
• Out-of-state applicants must pass an endorsement content knowledge test (WEST-E) within 12 months of receiving a temporary permit. See teacher assessments.

The first certificate issued is the Residency Certificate (First Issue), which is valid until the holder has completed two years of successful teaching in a public school or approved private school in Washington. This certificate may then be reissued with a five year expiration date.