Yes. A valid Washington State Teaching Certificate with appropriate endorsements is required to teach in Tacoma Public Schools. A valid Educational Staff Associate Certificate (ESA) is required for school nurses, psychologists, counselors, social workers, audiologists and therapists.​

No. Contact the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction for more information on obtaining your Washington State teaching certificate by visiting the OSPI website or calling 360-725-6396.​

Endorsements are designated areas that a Washington State teacher has been qualified to teach through OSPI.​

A certificated one-year or replacement employment contract is a non-continuing employment contract which ends at the completion of the specific assignment. One-year/replacement contracts may be issued due to employee leave, grant funding, collective bargaining guidelines or requirements, or because of other circumstances.

A certificated continuing employment contract is issued for one year at a time; however, employment is continuing into the next school year unless a reduction in force is in effect. Collective bargaining requirements will be followed during a reduction in force process.​

Yes. Every teacher, including substitutes, must register their Washington teaching certificate with Human Resources before beginning a teaching assignment. Additionally, every teacher is responsible for registering all subsequent certificates with the District.

Please bring your original copy to the Human Resources Office, Employment Services. An HR Staff member will stamp your original certificate and make copies.

A copy will be placed in your personnel file after the HR database is updated.

An offer of employment is contingent upon the ability to obtain a valid Washington State teaching certificate prior to the first day of employment.

Information regarding certification is available at the Office of State Superintendent of Public Information (OSPI) or at the Education Service District (ESD) 113.

Office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction

• Telephone: 360-725-6400
• Website: https://www.k12.wa.us/certification/teacher-certificate
• Email: cert@tacoma.k12.wa.us

Education Service District 113

• Address: 6005 Tyee Drive SW, Tumwater, WA 98512
• Phone: 360-464-6700
• Website: http://www.esd113.org​

A teaching certificate requires fulfilling educational requirements, whereas some vocational education certificates can be obtained through industry experience. For more complete information, contact: Office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction

• Telephone: 360-725-6400
• Website: https://www.k12.wa.us/certification/teacher-certificate
• Email: cert@tacoma.k12.wa.us