Any person who has a current, valid Washington education certificate. This would include any employed or unemployed educator, teacher, principal, counselor, etc.

School district superintendents may or may not hold a certificate. Superintendent certification is not a requirement for the position.

If the complainant can’t achieve resolution of concerns at the local level, they can contact the Office of Education Ombudsman. As a final option, they can write a letter to the educational service district superintendent, citing the allegations and requesting an investigation.

If the disciplinary action is a reprimand (which does not invalidate the certificate), the educator can teach in or outside of Washington state. If the action does invalidate the certificate (suspension, revocation, voluntary surrender), then the educator cannot teach in Washington state. That information is shared with all states through a national database. The other states (where the educator may hold another certificate) will determine whether or not to take additional action.

• A dismissal indicates that no action has been taken.
• A reprimand leaves the certificate valid but does admonish the educator to not repeat the behavior or conduct.
• A suspension invalidates the certificate for a specified period of time and may have some requirements for reinstatement.
• A revocation, in essence, takes the certificate away. If the educator wishes to be reinstated, the burden of proof of good moral character/personal fitness is upon him/her to show why the certificate should be reinstated.
• An educator may surrender his/her certificate at any time to OPP by filling out the Voluntary Surrender Form.

If disciplinary action is proposed, an educator can appeal to OSPI’s Informal Review Committee (comprised of nine educators—3 teachers, 3 administrators, and 3 ESAs). Further appeal can be made to an Administrative Law Judge, with specific discipline warranting additional appeal to Superior Court.

OPP files are available through a Public Disclosure request.

Disciplinary action always remains on an educator’s record. While the action itself may come to an end, the action cannot be expunged from the record.