Skip to content

CAAZ teacher license move

How to transfer a teaching license from California to Arizona

You will apply for a new Arizona credential using your California license as evidence. Here is what to check, what to gather and where TeachPassport can take work off your plate.

No account required · Official sources checked through Aug 2, 2026

Official California license lookup Destination rules from official agencies Your state pair ready to preview

What Arizona says

How this move starts

Arizona may issue a comparable standard certificate to a teacher with a valid, comparable out-of-state certificate in good standing.

Where the state decides

The agency makes the final comparability determination after reviewing the application and documents.

No blanket reciprocity claim

What this guide will not guess

A state pair alone cannot settle your exact credential, tests or timeline. Those answers can change with your license type, endorsements, preparation and experience. This page shows the reviewed Arizona rule; the move planner uses your teaching details to narrow the checklist.

Your California record

Confirm exactly what you hold

California's public educator search is the Commission's official record of credentials, certificates and permits held by public-school educators.

  • Credentials, certificates and permits held by the educator
  • Current and historical document status shown by the Commission
  • Adverse or Commission actions when the public record includes them
Open the official California lookup

Compact check

Use the regular out-of-state path

This pair is not currently a two-member compact route. Arizona's out-of-state rules control.

Check compact eligibility

Your likely order

4 reviewed steps

  1. 01Obtain an Arizona IVP fingerprint clearance card
  2. 02Submit the out-of-state certificate
  3. 03Arrange official transcripts
  4. 04Apply and pay per certificate, endorsement or approved area

What can change the answer

  • 01Expired, temporary, non-renewable, emergency and alternative certificates do not qualify under this route
  • 02Arizona constitution requirements may be issued as time-limited deficiencies

The records worth gathering first

Likely route

A valid comparable out-of-state certificate in good standing may support a comparable Arizona standard certificate.

Core evidence

Plan for the source certificate, official transcripts, an Arizona IVP fingerprint clearance card and the application for each requested certificate or approved area.

California to Arizona questions

Does a California teaching license automatically transfer to Arizona?

No. Your California credential is evidence for the application, but Arizona Department of Education decides which Arizona license, endorsements, tests and remaining conditions apply.

Can I use the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact from California to Arizona?

This is not currently a move between two listed compact member states. Use Arizona's regular out-of-state pathway unless the destination agency tells you a different route applies.

What should I gather before applying in Arizona?

Start with your current California license record, exact endorsements, preparation transcripts, experience verification and test history. Then follow the evidence requests in Arizona's application.

What does the TeachPassport move planner include?

It uses your credential, experience, subjects, grades and destination to prepare likely steps, reusable worksheets and official links. You can use it without an account or save the move.

Official sources

State material only