The purpose of this page is to assist districts and schools in understanding options available to them under WAC 392-172A-02090 Personnel Qualifications when they are unable to recruit and hire individuals who have a special education endorsement. This page also includes the Pre-endorsement waiver application and personnel qualifications technical assistance resources. 

• Guidance Update for Special Education Personnel Qualifications and Staffing
• Special Education Personnel Qualifications and Pre-Endorsement Waiver: Common Questions and Answers for Districts
• Special Education Personnel Qualifications and Staffing Guidance - Recording | Special Education Personnel Qualifications and Staffing Guidance - Presentation Slides
• Special Education Monthly Webinar Series on Budgeting and Staffing, 2019 | SpEd Monthly Budgeting and Staffing Webinar slide deck 

Last Resort Staffing Options for Special Education

There are two last resort staffing options that districts can use to staff a special education position when they are unable to recruit and hire an individual with a special education endorsement, the temporary out of endorsement assignment and the pre-endorsement waiver.  

Temporary Out of Endorsement Assignment

The temporary out of endorsement assignment is completed entirely at the district level and is available to an individual who has completed six semester hours or nine quarter hours of coursework applicable to one or more of the Washington state special education teaching certificates. To learn more about the Temporary out of endorsement assignment please review the Special Education Personnel Qualifications and Pre-Endorsement Waiver: Common Questions and Answers for Districts.

Pre-endorsement Waiver

The Pre-endorsement Waiver requires the completion of an OSPI application and is available to an individual who is a certified teacher who has completed two hundred forty clock hours (or the equivalent of 24 quarter OR 16 semester credits) applicable to one or more Washington state special education teaching certificates. The remaining credits and all endorsement requirements must be completed within five years of service as a special education teacher (WAC 392-172A-02090). To learn more about the Pre-endorsement waiver process please review the Special Education Personnel Qualifications and Pre-Endorsement Waiver: Common Questions and Answers for Districts.

• Pre-Endorsement Waiver Instructions and Application Forms (updated 10/01/2021)