Upgrade from Residency to Professional ESA

These applications are for those Educational Staff Associates (ESA) who hold a Residency Certificate with either counselor or psychologist endorsements and have fulfilled the below requirements in order to upgrade their certificate.

The Professional ESA Certificate is for those who have completed a national certification program for their role.

Requirements to Upgrade to Professional

Requirements for Counselors

  • Hold a school counselor certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS)
  • Must attest to completion of an issues of abuse course for more information see WAC 181-79A-200. This course MUST be entered into the 'PD Hours' section of your E-Certification account prior to applying
  • Complete a suicide prevention training approved by the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) Form 4020S

NOTE: Professional ESA Certificates issued on the basis of holding a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certificate will have a validity of five years or the validity of the National Boards certificate, whichever is greater.

ISSUES OF ABUSE COURSE NOTE: The issues of abuse course or course work must include information related to identification of physical, emotional, sexual, and substance abuse; the impact on learning and behavior; the responsibilities of an educational staff associate to report abuse or to provide assistance to victimized children; and methods of teaching about abuse and its prevention.

Requirements for Psychologists

  • Hold a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) certificate issued by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
  • Must attest to completion of an issues of abuse course for more information see WAC 181-79A-200. This course MUST be entered into the 'PD Hours' section of your E-Certification account prior to applying
  • Complete a suicide prevention training approved by the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) Form 4020S

ISSUES OF ABUSE COURSE NOTE: The issues of abuse course or course work must include information related to identification of physical, emotional, sexual, and substance abuse; the impact on learning and behavior; the responsibilities of an educational staff associate to report abuse or to provide assistance to victimized children; and methods of teaching about abuse and its prevention.

Apply

If you have all necessary documentation to apply for this certificate, login to: E-Certification

*IMPORTANT: Please note that application fees are NOT refundable. Ensure that you select and submit the correct application. If you have questions regarding your application, please contact our office.