Starting point
Does Washington accept out-of-state teaching licenses?
An out-of-state license can open a path to Washington certification, but it does not transfer automatically. The state decides which certificate, endorsements, tests or additional requirements apply.
Your exact route can still depend on your license type, preparation, experience, subjects, grade levels and testing history.
How teacher license reciprocity works · Look up your current license
Mobility compact
Washington joined the teacher mobility compact
Compact eligibility may matter when your current license also comes from a member state. Joining the compact does not replace the need for current Washington application instructions and an eligible-license match.
Check compact states and eligibilityKeep your place
Your Washington application checklist
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What can change your path
- • The experience alternative requires a full regular out-of-state certificate and three years of verified out-of-state or out-of-country teaching
- • Washington may accept qualifying out-of-state test scores, but subject, version and score comparability matter
- • Professional certification requires an approved advanced out-of-state certificate, National Board certification or ProTeach in addition to Residency requirements
What the state says
2 official sources
These facts come from official sources. The state agency still makes the final licensing decision.
Certificate tiers
Residency is Washington's first-tier full teacher certificate; Professional is the second tier for applicants with an approved comparable advanced certificate, National Board certification or ProTeach completion.
Basic skills and content tests
Washington requires basic-skills and endorsement content testing, but qualifying out-of-state scores or National Board status may satisfy specific requirements; an out-of-state educator may receive a one-year window to complete testing in some cases.
Core evidence
Official degree transcripts, program-completion verification or a full regular out-of-state certificate plus experience verification, test evidence and fingerprints are core materials for the out-of-state route.
State certification help
2 guides
Why your details matter
State websites describe the possible routes. The right one for you can depend on your license, preparation, experience, subjects, grades, tests, National Board status and compact eligibility. TeachPassport uses those details to work out your path and handle the steps it can do for you.
One thing to know: A state-approved preparation program or a full regular out-of-state certificate plus three years of teaching can support the Residency route; only a comparable advanced certificate, National Board certification or ProTeach can support the Professional tier.
Plan the whole move
Questions to answer before you apply
The application is only one part of the move. Check the costs, timing and records that can hold up an otherwise complete file.
Common license moves to Washington
2 routes
Official sources
State agency material