How to Become a Teacher in Arizona

To embark on a teaching career in Arizona, you’ll need to obtain state certification. The certification process consists of four major steps: 

1. Meeting the state’s educational background requirements as well as those for a state-approved educator preparation program
2. Completing a program, including a teaching residency
3. Passing the appropriate exams for your desired teaching position
4. Applying for your certificate and participating in a background check

As an Arizona teacher, you can expect to initially make about $55,614 (the median salary for new teachers). However, recently House Bill 2800 was proposed in order to increase teacher salaries statewide. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through each step and point you to useful resources to make your journey to Arizona teacher certification smoother.

Get Your Arizona Teacher Certification

As mentioned, to get your Arizona teaching certification, you must meet educational requirements, complete an educator preparation program, and pass the required tests. You’ll need to consider a few factors as you go through each of these steps.

Meet Educational Background Requirements to Become a Teacher in Arizona

Arizona requires most teaching applicants to have a bachelor’s degree in any subject from an accredited college or university. If you’re unsure whether the institution you attended is accredited, you can search for it at the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the Arizona Department of Education website. 

Educational background requirements will be set by the state-approved educator preparation program you select. You have the choice of enrolling in a university program or taking the shorter options of a post-baccalaureate program or an alternative certification program.

Additional Educational Background Requirements to Become a Teacher in Arizona

If you opt for either a post-baccalaureate or an alternative certification program, candidates for Arizona Alternative Teacher Certification must have a minimum of a 2.5 GPA for acceptance and pass the same exams as traditional-pathway educators, the Arizona educator exams (the AEPA & NES exams). Before registering for an exam, it is recommended that applicants review the requirements for approved subject areas, the certificate, or endorsement they are seeking.  There are several ways to meet exam requirements for both the professional knowledge or subject knowledge exams.

Complete an Educator Preparation Program

If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, a university program gives you the opportunity to earn one while also fulfilling your educator preparation program requirements. You’ll have to go through a four-year degree program, take courses in the specific content areas you’ll need for your certification, and do one year of field work. While completion time will vary from person to person, this certification route generally takes about five years. 

Completing an alternative certification or post-baccalaureate program will take significantly less time since you won’t have to earn credits for a degree. You usually will be able to complete the program’s coursework alongside the required two semesters of field experience. That means you will usually complete the program within a year. 

Another benefit of alternative certification or post-baccalaureate programs is that they’re likely to offer paid internships. Some alternative certification programs offer an unpaid clinical teaching placement that’s shorter in duration than the internship. In all cases (including university programs), once you are eligible for your teaching residency and you secure a teaching position, you must apply online for an emergency certificate, pay an application fee, submit your transcripts, and undergo a criminal background check. An application checklist for the emergency certificate can be found here. 

Pass Required Tests to Become a Teacher in Arizona 

To demonstrate your grasp of educational theory and pedagogical best practices, you will have to take both a professional knowledge and subject knowledge assessments. The state of Arizona provides preparation materials for each test. You will create an account and register for your tests on the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments website. 

Submit Your Certification Application to Become a Teacher in Arizona

Your educator preparation program must recommend you for certification before you can apply. Once they do, you can complete the application form and pay the fee via your online Arizona Department of Education Educator Certification System account. The Arizona Department of Education will perform a national criminal background check, which includes fingerprinting, as part of the process. 

The Arizona Department of Education issues a standard certificate, but you won’t receive a paper copy. Instead, the Arizona Department of Education will post a virtual certificate to your online account as the official record of your certification as an Arizona educator. Potential employers will search for that virtual certificate via OACIS certificate lookup tool. 

Teaching Careers in Arizona

A high demand for teachers makes Arizona an appealing place to start a teaching career. While the median starting salary for teachers is $55,614, the state has devoted a significant amount of funds to supporting school systems’ strategic compensation models. According to the 2022 – 2023 US Department of Education Teacher Shortage Areas tool, teachers in all subject/content areas are in especially high demand in Arizona due to an overall shortage in the state. 

Hopefully, you now have the information you need to begin your journey toward a satisfying new career. If the alternative certification option sounds right for you, download our Arizona Success Guide for more information. Good luck! 

Frequently Asked Questions about Alternative Teacher Certification

How do I get a teaching certification in Arizona?

To get a teaching certification in Arizona, you must go through four steps. First, you’ll have to meet the educational background requirements set by the state and by the educator preparation program you select. One of those prerequisites will be a bachelor’s degree. Second, you must complete your educator preparation program, which will involve a mix of coursework and field experience. Third, you must pass all the tests required to confirm your teaching capabilities. Once you have completed all the program requirements and passed the tests, your program will send a recommendation for your certification to the Arizona Department of Education.

Your fourth step will be completing an online application and going through a background check, including fingerprinting. The Arizona Department of Education OACIS portal will issue a virtual standard certificate for you, which potential employers can find online.

How long does it take to become a certified teacher in Arizona?

How long it takes to become a certified teacher in Arizona often depends on whether you have a bachelor’s degree. If you don’t have a degree, you should enroll in a university program so that you can obtain your degree while also completing an educator preparation program. That process usually takes about five years.

If you already have a degree, you can opt for a post-baccalaureate or alternative certification program. You can usually complete a post-baccalaureate or alternative certification program in 12-16 months.

What is the fastest way to become a teacher in Arizona?

For a prospective teacher with a bachelor’s degree, the fastest way to become a teacher in Arizona is through an alternative certification program.

Do I need a degree in education to become a teacher in Arizona?

No. In lieu of a degree in education, you can become a teacher in Arizona by enrolling in an alternative certification program. Arizona requires alternative certification programs to identify the content area (subject) enrollees will pursue for certification. If your degree directly relates to a certification field, the program will identify that field as your content area. But once you’re enrolled, you have the option of taking a certification test in a different content area.

How long does my teacher certification last in Arizona?, and how do I renew it?

Arizona has different tiers of certification. The length of certification depends on which you obtain. A standard certificate is valid for six years. The Arizona Department of Education provides detailed information about the types of certifications and renewal requirements here. 

How do I renew my teacher certification in Arizona?

The Arizona Department of Education provides detailed information about the types of certifications and renewal requirements here. 

Can I teach in Arizona without certification?

You can teach in Arizona without certification. You must apply for a one-year emergency certificate.

Can I take more than a year to complete an alternative certification program?

You can take more than a year to complete most alternative certification programs if the need arises. They will often even extend your probationary certificate for up to two years. Your educator preparation program can advise you regarding the possibility of an extension.

What if I’m a certified educator from another state?

If you have a standard, renewable certificate from another state, you must apply to the Arizona Department of Education for a review of your credentials. Your certificate does not need to be currently valid, but it must have been a standard-level certificate when it was issued. The Department of Arizona has created a detailed out-of-state reciprocity resource.

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Congratulations to iteach Texas Teachers of the Year! 

For the fourteenth year, iteach has identified an Elementary Candidate of the Year and a Secondary Candidate of the Year to each be awarded a $4,000 check. This year out of the 11 elementary teachers and 11 secondary teachers nominated, exceptional teachers Mrs. Brittnee Brandt and Mr. Jose Angel Flores received these esteemed awards!

Each year, teachers are nominated by their program field supervisors, who mentored them throughout their first year in the classroom. Learn more about these inspirational teachers. 

Mrs. Brittnee Brandt

Mrs. Brandt is a 3rd-5th grade Science teacher at Dawson ISD. After being an ICU nurse for 15 years, Mrs. Brandt wanted to find a career that would allow her to have the same schedule as her four boys, so teaching seemed like a natural career to pursue. 

When talking to the principal at her children’s school, he provided Mrs. Brandt with options for alternative certification. When she started her research, she found iteach to be the best path to certification for her. She was enrolled in the program two weeks after beginning her journey to certification. 

As a mom of four, iteach’s self-paced courses allowed her to be there for her kids while finding time to study and complete her coursework.

Mrs. Brandt was nominated as iteach Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year by her field supervisor, Mr. Ron Leach. 

“I love Mr. Leach. I cannot say enough good things about him. He made me feel comfortable, and he is very easy to talk to and work with. He was always quick to answer any questions I had. I thought he was fantastic.”

When asked how it felt to win the awards, Mrs. Brandt shared.

“This has been amazing. I was very honored when he nominated me. As a family of six, it was a lot of money to put aside for school, but we did it because it was important, and we knew it was what we needed to do for our family. It means a lot to our family to be able to reimburse what we paid for school because of this scholarship. I am grateful for the award and for Mr. Leach feeling like I was worthy of it.”

Mrs. Brandt had so much fun with her students this year and is excited about what the next year has in store. She is ready to continue to grow as a teacher and come up with new ways to help them learn and grow in their knowledge.

“I felt very prepared in all areas of teaching. I think [iteach] did a great job of getting you thinking about all those things you may not have been aware that you would encounter or that you even needed to think about before you entered the classroom.”

Mr. Jose Angel Flores

Mr. Flores is a Secondary Physical Education teacher and head gymnastics coach at Odessa High School. At 17 years old, his gymnastics coaches noticed he had a natural talent to teach and hired him on as a competitive gymnastics coach. 

When the pandemic hit, he lost his coaching job. He knew it was time to make a change in his career and decided, “The next level of coaching is going to be teaching.”

“I think the first thing that persuaded me to go into teaching was that I already knew the basics of how to communicate with people, I knew how to motivate kids to accomplish things, and I would have some free time of my own to accomplish what I want. I feel balance is an important part of life, and so being able to give your time to someone else and have your time set for yourself to do what you want to accomplish fulfills both of those goals of balance.”

Mr. Flores talked to a friend who was an elementary school teacher who went through iteach and recommended the program. He was thankful for the program always being there for him and responsive even during a pandemic. The resources iteach provided helped him to feel successful in the classroom and gave him the confidence to pass his exams. Being able to go through the courses at his own pace was key to his success.

Mr. Flores formed a strong bond with his field supervisor, Mrs. Vicki Leach.

“When I met my field supervisor, I was extremely nervous, but we just clicked. When you find people with similar philosophies, you can really build with them. With a passion for teaching, we had some of the same goals. When you meet someone that has the same goals or is like-minded, you can really just feed off of each other and bounce back ideas.”

“She was very supportive, and she answered any questions I had. She would even give me reminders sometimes. I think it was just a really unique experience I had with iteach and getting to meet my field supervisor.” 

To receive the iteach Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year feels like he has accomplished something very great in his life. After performing all his life, he said, “I am used to being recognized for actions, but this type of recognition is different because it was for more than what I can show but for what is on the inside, so this type of recognition really struck me in a different way. It is really motivating and gives you the sense of confidence that you know what you are doing.”

Mr. Flores looks forward to what the next year of teaching has in store and cannot wait to see his students continue to grow.

Congratulations, Mrs. Brandt and Mr. Flores, on your accomplishments! We are thrilled iteach was part of your teaching journey.

If you are interested in becoming a certified teacher, apply today!

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The 10 Benefits of Becoming a Teacher

Teaching is more than just a job; it’s a profound vocation that shapes the future of society. The rewards of this noble profession are plentiful, ranging from personal growth to societal impact. This deep dive will explore the 10 benefits of becoming a teacher.

1. Impact on Students and the Next Generation

• Ignite the fire of knowledge in students’ hearts and minds
• Shape future leaders, thinkers, and creators
• Inspire, encourage, and mold responsible, successful, and compassionate citizens

Teaching allows you to ignite the fire of knowledge in the hearts and minds of students. As an educator, you’ll play an instrumental role in shaping our society’s future leaders, thinkers, and creators. You will inspire, encourage, and help mold the next generation into responsible, successful, and compassionate citizens.

2. Job Stability

• Steady income and benefits
• Teaching remains a top priority for communities and governments
• Teachers are always in demand

Teaching offers a stable career with steady income and benefits. While no job is entirely recession-proof, education remains a top priority for communities and governments. There is a nationwide teacher shortage, so the teaching career is in more demand than ever, ensuring job security in an ever-changing world. 

3. Every Day is Different

• Vibrant mix of challenges and opportunities
• Test creativity, resilience, and problem-solving skills
• A new adventure every day

In the classroom, no two days are alike. You’ll encounter a vibrant mix of challenges and opportunities that will test your creativity, resilience, and problem-solving skills. The benefits of becoming a teacher provide a new adventure each day, ensuring you’ll never be bored. From making creative lesson plans, supporting students one on one through concepts they may need help understanding to brainstorming new approaches with your colleagues, teaching offers a variety that most careers cannot.

4. Improved Public Speaking

• Present ideas and convey complex concepts daily
• Sharpen public speaking skills
• Become a confident, articulate, and engaging communicator

As a teacher, you’ll present ideas and convey complex concepts to your students daily. This consistent practice will sharpen your public speaking skills, making you a confident, articulate, and engaging communicator. Public speaking skills are essential for any career, so whether you stay in teaching until you retire or move into an educational leadership role, your day-to-day communication with your students will have a lasting impact on your personal and career development.

5. Variety Each Year

• Reinvent your teaching approach
• Adapt to unique learning styles
• Keep the profession fresh and exciting

Every year, you’ll have the chance to reinvent your teaching approach as you meet new students and adapt to their unique learning styles. This constant change keeps the profession fresh and exciting as you refine your methods and explore innovative teaching techniques. You will be exposed yearly to a new group of young minds that can give you a new perspective and challenge you to grow in your career and personal life.

6. Summers Off

• Recharge, travel, pursue personal interests
• Earn additional income through summer jobs 
• Take professional development courses you don’t have time for during the school year

One of the most celebrated perks of being a teacher is having summers off. This much-needed break offers an opportunity to recharge, travel, pursue personal interests, or even earn additional income through summer jobs. Summers also allow you to refine your teaching skills by taking professional development courses you do not have time to take during the school year. If you are a parent, having the summer off will enable you to spend more quality time with your kids.

7. Lifelong Learning

• Deepen your expertise in your subject matter
• Stay current with advancements in pedagogy
• Grow professionally, and personally

Teachers are perpetual students. You’ll have the opportunity to deepen your expertise in your subject matter and stay current with advancements in pedagogy. By embracing the spirit of lifelong learning, you’ll grow professionally and personally. There is also so much opportunity to learn from your students. Being a teacher allows you to intake new perspectives daily from future generations.

8. Building Meaningful Relationships

• Connect with diverse individuals
• Form lasting support networks
• Experience professional growth, and deep personal satisfaction

Teaching offers a unique opportunity to connect with diverse individuals—students, parents, colleagues, and administrators. These meaningful relationships can provide lasting support networks, professional growth, and deep personal satisfaction. Every year offers a new opportunity to create a lasting bond.

9. Creative Expression

• Think outside the box to reach students
• Design engaging lesson plans
• Develop novel teaching strategies

Teachers are often required to think outside the box to reach their students. Whether designing engaging lesson plans or developing novel teaching strategies, the classroom is your canvas to express your creativity and passion for your subject matter. Hey, you may even inspire a student to pursue teaching or a career in your subject matter!

10. The Joy of Making a Difference

• Experience the indescribable joy of seeing students succeed
• Play an integral role in students’ achievements
• Make a tangible difference in the lives of others

There are few professions that afford the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of others. Teaching is one of them. The benefits of becoming a teacher are limitless! As a teacher, you’ll experience the indescribable joy of seeing your students succeed, knowing you played an integral role in their achievements. Check out what some of our teachers say about the impact they have been able to make on student lives.

Becoming a teacher is a fulfilling, enriching, and impactful career choice. If you’re considering this path, rest assured that you’ll reap the rewards of personal growth, professional satisfaction, and the knowledge that you’ve made a lasting impact on the lives of your students.

Embrace Your Calling with iteach.net

Transform your passion into a fulfilling career with iteach.net, the premier platform for alternative teacher certification. Our streamlined process—Enroll. Train. Teach.—empowers you to become a certified educator quickly and affordably.

Don’t let your students wait any longer! Jumpstart your teaching journey today with full pay just weeks away. Apply now and embark on a life-changing adventure in education—it’s free to get started!

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