How to Become a Teacher in Arizona
Teaching is one of the few professions that allows you to have a direct and meaningful impact on the future of the world. In Arizona, the school board strives to provide opportunities for every student to follow a successful path to college and career readiness. If you have what it takes to become a professional educator, you'll find the rewards are immediate and lasting. The following steps will help you become an educator in Arizona.
Choose What You Want to Teach
Where do you see yourself as a teacher? Would you like to become an Elementary School teacher, a High School teacher, or how about a Special Education teacher? Before you proceed, you should think about what type of students and subject(s) you would like to teach. There are steps and guidelines based on the type of teacher you want to become.
Earn a Bachelor's in Education to Meet the Requirements for a Teaching Certificate in Arizona
The Arizona Department of Education states that all teachers must hold a bachelor's degree in education at minimum. In addition, teachers have to complete an Arizona State Board-approved teacher preparation program specific to the content area they plan to teach.
If you do not already have a bachelor's degree, you can participate in a joint program. Joint programs combine the coursework for a bachelor's degree and a teacher preparation program. This type of program is typically for people who know from early on that they want to become a teacher. However, if your school does not offer a joint program, consider deciding on a major based on the age level and subject(s) you plan to teach.
Complete a Teacher Preparation Program
Teacher preparation programs are generally comprised of two elements: curricula and fieldwork. Curricula tends to include a focus on pedagogy, teaching methods, differentiated instruction, classroom management, and more. Fieldwork, on the other hand, includes classroom observations, internships, student teaching, or a combination of all three. Student teaching often includes creating and implementing lesson plans, writing reflections, being observed, and putting together a portfolio. The Arizona Department of Education maintains a list of the institutions in Arizona that offer approved teacher preparation programs.
The program can be completed online or on a college campus, as long as it is accredited.
As mentioned earlier, if you decide to be an educator from early on, teacher preparation programs can be done concurrently with your bachelor's degree through a blended program. However, if you already have a bachelor's degree, you can go through an alternate or post baccalaureate educator preparation program. There is even an option to complete a joint master's degree and educator preparation program as well.
Alternative Teacher Certification in Arizona
Alternative Pathways to Teacher Certification
The Alternative Pathways to Teacher Certification Program is intended for individuals who are changing their career to teaching or recent college graduates who have a degree in a non-education field. These individuals who are interested in becoming certified to teach in Arizona will have the opportunity to teach under a "Teaching Intern Certificate." The certificate holder will be allowed to in any subject area in which he or she has passed the appropriate Arizona Educator Exam. The Intern Teaching Certificate is valid for one year and can be extended for a second year if all requirements are met. Before the end of the second year, the Professional Knowledge (PK) exam must be passed. When all Teaching Intern requirements have been satisfied, candidates will be ready to apply for a Provisional Teaching Certificate with an Institutional Recommendation.
Teacher Certification Reciprocity in Arizona
If you have certification to teach in another state, you may be able to teach in Arizona through an Arizona Reciprocal Provisional Teaching Certificate. This reciprocal teaching certificate can be issue to candidate who have a valid, comparable certificate from another state (Elementary, Secondary, Special Education, Arts Education Pre-K-12). In order to qualify, individuals must receive an English Immersion endorsement and a passing score on all the applicable Arizona educator exams.
Pass The Exams Required for Teacher Certification in Arizona
In order to become a teacher in Arizona, there are a few exams you will need to take and pass. To become a certified teacher, you must successfully complete the Basic Skill Test requirement and any Subject Area Competence assessments needed for your desired area of instruction.
Basic Skills Test
The Basic Skills Test can be fulfilled by passing the NES Assessments of Professional Knowledge for Arizona. This is a test on basic skills in mathematics, reading, and writing.
Subject Tests
The Subject Area Competence requirement can be fulfilled by passing the NES Subject Knowledge Tests for Arizona. Those looking to teach in Arizona must take the National Evaluation Series (NES) assessment appropriate for their desired level of education: Elementary or Secondary.
Test fields not listed below will be fulfilled by taking the AEPA test. The NES Subject Knowledge Tests for Arizona offers exams in the following subject areas:
- Art
- Biology
- Business Education
- Chemistry
- Chinese (Mandarin)
- Elementary Education (Subtest I)
- Elementary Education (Subtest II)
- English Language Arts
- Essential Academic Skills:
- Subtest I: Reading
- Subtest II: Writing
- Subtest III: Mathematics
- French
- General Science
- German
- Health
- History
- Mathematics
- Middle Grades English Language Arts
- Middle Grades General Science
- Middle Grades Social Science
- Music
- Physical Education
- Physics
- School Library Media Specialist
- Spanish
- Special Education
Some institutions may ask that you pass some or all of these tests prior to entering or exiting the teacher preparation program.
Apply for your Arizona Teacher Certification
Application Requirements
When applying for certification in Arizona, the Department of Education requires prospective educators to submit the following documentation and forms:
- Completed application form
- Supporting documentation, including college transcript(s) and exam score(s)
- Fingerprint Card Packet: Required for all applicants, including out-of-state educators.
- Arizona Fingerprint Card Information: Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card Information
- Fingerprint Card Application: Contact the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) at (602) 223-2279 to request an IVP
- Fingerprint Reciprocity Application: Testament Form For Fingerprint Reciprocity
Contact Information
Arizona Department of Education
1535 West Jefferson Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Phone: (602) 542-4367
Find a Teaching Job in Arizona
After completing the above steps, you will be ready to begin your career as a certified educator in Arizona! You will be prepared to provide opportunities for your students to follow a successful path to college and career readiness.
Teaching in Public Schools
Launching a teaching career in the state of Arizona can require some careful research. In order to motivate teachers to achieve Arizona certifications, the state puts forth an effort to attract qualified and motivated candidates through Arizona Education Employment Board (AEEB) and recruitment events like The Great Arizona Teach-In. Once hired, teachers become part of the Arizona Education Association (AEA), the National Education Association (NEA-AZ), or the Arizona Federation of Teachers (AFT).
Additionally, there are associations for teachers to join that advance professional development in their respective disciplines.
Teaching in Public Schools
Launching a teaching career in the state of Arizona can require some careful research. In order to motivate teachers to achieve Arizona certifications, the state puts forth an effort to attract qualified and motivated candidates through Arizona Education Employment Board (AEEB) and recruitment events like The Great Arizona Teach-In. Once hired, teachers become part of the Arizona Education Association (AEA), the National Education Association (NEA-AZ), or the Arizona Federation of Teachers (AFT).
Additionally, there are associations for teachers to join that advance professional development in their respective disciplines.
Teaching in Private Schools
For teachers seeking employment through a private school, there were about 450 private schools in Arizona as of 2021, serving over 65,000 students. Private schools often have a religious affiliation. Advancement and salary may be different in private schools.
Arizona School Retirees Association (AASRA)
Arizona School Retirees Association (AASRA) is one of several organizations that teachers may join that have benefits to retiree teachers. Teachers' retirement income comes through the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), which provides a guaranteed lifelong monthly benefit to teacher-retirees and also helps retirees manage benefits payments, healthcare, second careers, and tax information.
Teacher Shortage in Arizona by Subjects or Discipline (2021-2022)
The following list of teacher shortage areas in Arizona has been obtained from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Postsecondary Education, Teacher Shortage Area (TSA) report for the 2021-2022 academic year:
- Special Education - Cross Categorical PreK-12
- Special Education - Early Childhood PreK-12
- Special Education - Intense Intervention PreK-12
- Special Education - Cognitive Disabilities PreK-12
- Special Education - Severely and Profoundly Handicapped PreK-12
- Special Education - Emotional Disabilities PreK-12
- Physics 6-12
- ESOL - PreK-12
- English 6-8
- Mathematics - Basic and Advanced 6-8
- History 6-8
- Biological Sciences 6-12
- Physical Science 6-12
Number of Public and Private School Teachers By Grade
The following Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) table highlights the number of teachers in Arizona in both private and public schools, by grade level, as of May 2021:
| Grade Level | Number of Teachers |
|---|---|
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | 7,490 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 24,370 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 9,710 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 18,390 |
| Special Education Teachers, Preschool | 360 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | 3,260 |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School | 1,140 |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | 2,120 |
Continue Your Education and Professional Development
While teacher orientation is a vital part of professional development for new staff members, it's only the first step in a teacher's lifelong commitment to their practice. Among the most valuable kinds of professional development are those that include mentoring for new teachers by those with more experience in the classroom. Teachers are compelled to improve their practice in order to best serve the diverse needs of every student that enters their classroom.
Professional Development in Arizona
In the state of Arizona, professional development is facilitated through Arizona's College and Career Ready Standards. This repository of information lists platforms, topics, and organizations that contribute to teachers' ongoing learning. Given that all professional development is managed by the college, teachers are encouraged to check the AZCCRS website in order to coordinate offerings and platforms to suit their professional needs and interests.
The Benefits of Earning a Master's in Education for Salary and License Renewal
Arizona's standards for certification for teachers are highly specific and clearly delineated by grade level and specialization. But the Arizona Department of Education does not differentiate between bachelor's and advanced degrees when it comes to certification. Bachelor's master's and doctorates all count equally toward a waiver against the state Subject Knowledge Exam.
The professional development requirements for your regular teaching certificate renewal can be met with one semester hour of college coursework, at any level, from an accredited institution.
However, earning a master's degree in Arizona reaps financial rewards in many school districts. For example, in the Tucson Unified School District, the minimum teacher salary as of the 2022-2023 school district was $37,300. However, educators with master's degrees earn an additional $2,000, making a more attractive starting salary for master's prepared teachers of $39,300.
2021 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Teachers (Preschool, Elementary, Middle School, High School) and Special Education Teachers, (Preschool, Kindergarten and Elementary, Middle, High School) reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed March 2023.