How to Become a Teacher in Arizona 2026
How to become a teacher in Arizona depends on the specific certificate you're seeking, but it generally means a bachelor's degree, an approved preparation pathway, and the professional-knowledge and subject-knowledge requirements that apply to that certificate. Requirements can be met or waived through several routes. The Arizona Department of Education's Certification Unit processes applications, and a fingerprint clearance card is required. Career-changers and out-of-state teachers both have alternative paths in.
How to become a teacher in Arizona starts with knowing which certificate you're aiming for. Every state runs its own version of this process; for the general shape before diving into Arizona specifics, see our overview of certification requirements by state. Arizona's own requirements depend on the specific certificate and subject area, not one fixed checklist. The traditional pathway calls for a bachelor's degree and a State Board-approved teacher preparation program, but alternative coursework, experience, and reciprocity options exist too. Two agencies matter here: the Arizona State Board of Education sets the certification rules, and the Arizona Department of Education's (ADE) Certification Unit processes the applications.
Choose What You Want to Teach
Grade band and subject decide which preparation program and which requirements you'll need, so settle this before you enroll in anything. Elementary certification covers a broad curriculum across one classroom. Secondary certification ties to a specific subject, like biology or history, across multiple classes. Special education is its own credential track with its own coursework, and switching tracks later usually means additional requirements.
The Traditional Pathway: Bachelor's Degree Plus a Preparation Program
For the traditional certification pathway, the Arizona State Board of Education requires a bachelor's degree paired with a State Board-approved teacher preparation program in the content area you plan to teach. It's the pathway most new teachers use, but not the only route: some certification areas allow candidates to qualify through alternative coursework, verified teaching experience, or other options approved by the Certification Unit. A joint program lets you complete the degree and the preparation program together rather than adding one after the other.
Complete a Teacher Preparation Program
Preparation programs combine coursework and fieldwork: pedagogy, teaching methods, differentiated instruction, and classroom management, followed by a student-teaching placement that includes lesson plans, observation, and a teaching portfolio. ADE maintains the current list of approved teacher preparation programs, completable online or on campus as long as they're accredited.
If you already hold a bachelor's degree in something else, a post-baccalaureate or alternative preparation program adds the teaching coursework and fieldwork on top of it, and a combined master's-plus-preparation option exists if you want the advanced degree at the same time.
Alternative Teacher Certification in Arizona
Alternative Pathways to Teacher Certification
The Alternative Pathways to Teacher Certification Program is built for career-changers and degree-holders from outside education. It puts you in the classroom on a Teaching Intern Certificate while you finish the certification requirements for your specific area. Exactly what's left to complete, how you demonstrate subject knowledge, and the certificate's validity period all depend on the certification area, so confirm the current specifics with ADE's Certification Unit. Once you've met the requirements for your pathway, you're ready to apply for a Provisional Teaching Certificate with an institutional recommendation.
Teacher Certification Reciprocity in Arizona
If you're already certified in another state, Arizona's Reciprocal Provisional Teaching Certificate is a route in without starting over. It's based on your out-of-state credential and experience, with reciprocity and exam-waiver provisions depending on what you already hold. What applies varies by certificate area, so confirm with ADE's Certification Unit rather than assuming your prior state's requirements carry over unchanged. Weighing Arizona against nearby options? We cover the same ground for How to Become a Teacher in Colorado, How to Become a Teacher in New Mexico, and How to Become a Teacher in Utah.
Meet the Testing Requirements for Your Certificate
Arizona's testing requirements depend on the certificate and subject area you're seeking. Generally, candidates need to meet a professional-knowledge requirement and a subject-knowledge requirement, and several routes can satisfy or waive each one, not one fixed test sequence.
Professional Knowledge Requirement
Certificates typically require a professional-knowledge assessment tied to the age group you're pursuing (Early Childhood, Elementary, or Secondary). The NES Assessment of Professional Knowledge (APK) for Arizona is one way to meet it, and it's a pedagogy assessment on how to teach, not a basic-skills test in math, reading, and writing. Confirm which requirement applies to your certificate area with ADE's Certification Unit.
Subject-Knowledge Requirement
Arizona's Subject Knowledge (Subject Matter Expert) requirement can be satisfied in more than one way depending on the certificate you're pursuing: a passing score on the matching NES Subject Knowledge Test for Arizona or AEPA test, a qualifying degree or completed coursework in the subject, verified teaching or work experience, or an out-of-state credential in the same area. Which of these routes applies, and which exam (if any) is required, depends on the specific certificate and subject area. NES offers Arizona-specific subject-knowledge exams in areas that include:
- Art
- Biology
- Business Education
- Chemistry
- Chinese (Mandarin)
- Elementary Education (Subtest I and Subtest II)
- English Language Arts
- 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
Confirm the exact requirement with ADE's Certification Unit for the certificate you're pursuing. Some preparation programs also require passing scores before you can enter or exit the program, so check with your program directly rather than assuming you can test at the end.
Apply for Your Arizona Teacher Certification
Application Requirements
ADE's Certification Unit asks for the following before it will process an application:
- Completed application form
- Supporting documentation, including college transcripts and exam scores
- Identity Verified Prints (IVP) Fingerprint Clearance Card, issued through the Arizona Department of Public Safety and required for every applicant, including those from out of state. See Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card information, or call (602) 223-2279 to request one.
Contact Information
Arizona Department of Education
1535 West Jefferson Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Phone: (602) 542-4367
Find a Teaching Job in Arizona
Once you're certified, Arizona's education agencies and associations give you more than one door into a classroom.
Teaching in Public Schools
The state recruits year-round through the Arizona Education Employment Board (AEEB) and events like The Great Arizona Teach-In. Arizona is a right-to-work state, so joining a union or professional association, such as the Arizona Education Association (AEA), the Arizona affiliate of the National Education Association, or the Arizona Federation of Teachers (AFT), is a personal choice, not a job requirement.
Teaching in Private Schools
Arizona's roughly 450 private schools, serving more than 65,000 students, don't require state certification the way public schools do. Many carry a religious affiliation, and pay and advancement structures typically differ from the public system.
Arizona School Retirees Association (AASRA)
Retired teachers can join AASRA for retiree-specific benefits. Retirement income itself comes through the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), a guaranteed lifelong monthly benefit that also helps retirees manage healthcare, second careers, and tax questions.
Teacher Shortage Areas in Arizona
The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education listed these Arizona shortage areas 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
Arizona Teacher Salaries and Job Growth by Grade Level
Here's the part that sets Arizona apart from the national picture: while most K-12 teaching occupations are projected to decline nationally between 2024 and 2034, Arizona's own labor-market office projects growth in every core teaching category over the same period.
| Occupation | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Job Growth (2024-2034) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preschool Teachers | 9,400 | $36,300 | +19.7% |
| Kindergarten Teachers | 3,020 | $52,830 | +1.9% |
| Elementary School Teachers | 24,240 | $56,590 | +1.5% |
| Middle School Teachers | 9,020 | $59,710 | +1.4% |
| High School Teachers | 21,190 | $58,360 | +2.0% |
| Special Education Teachers, Preschool | 330 | $60,130 | +6.7% |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten & Elementary | 2,450 | $56,030 | +2.6% |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School | 580 | $62,130 | +1.7% |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | 1,960 | $64,300 | +2.0% |
Arizona's Office of Economic Opportunity projects around 1,560 elementary openings a year through 2034 even with modest overall growth, since retirement and turnover create vacancies on top of new positions. Special education carries the widest requirements on this list, and also some of the strongest growth: a combination that helps explain the shortage areas above.
Continue Your Education and Professional Development
Certification is the entry point, not the finish line. New teachers get the most out of mentoring from experienced colleagues in their first years, and ongoing coursework keeps pace with the range of student needs any classroom brings.
Professional Development in Arizona
Arizona's College and Career Ready Standards site catalogs platforms, topics, and organizations for ongoing teacher learning. Check the AZCCRS website directly to coordinate offerings that fit your subject and grade level.
Does a Master's Degree Change Your Arizona Certification?
Arizona doesn't require an advanced degree for certification. Degree-based subject-matter qualification, including any waiver of the Subject Knowledge requirement, depends on the certificate and subject area, so confirm with ADE's Certification Unit whether your degree qualifies rather than assuming any bachelor's, master's, or doctorate automatically does. Renewal itself only requires one semester hour of coursework at any level from an accredited institution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What degree do I need to become a teacher in Arizona?
For the traditional certification pathway, you need at least a bachelor's degree plus a State Board-approved teacher preparation program in the subject area you plan to teach. Arizona also has alternative pathways that let some candidates qualify through other coursework or experience, so check with ADE's Certification Unit if the traditional pathway doesn't fit your situation.
What exams does Arizona require for teacher certification?
It depends on the certificate and subject area. Candidates generally meet a professional-knowledge requirement and a subject-knowledge requirement, and several routes, including NES or AEPA exams, qualifying degrees or coursework, and verified experience, can satisfy each one. Confirm what applies to your certificate with ADE's Certification Unit.
Can I start teaching in Arizona before I'm fully certified?
Yes, through the Alternative Pathways to Teacher Certification Program. It puts you in a classroom on a Teaching Intern Certificate while you finish the requirements for your certification area, which vary by area, so confirm the current specifics with ADE's Certification Unit.
Does Arizona accept teaching certificates from other states?
Arizona offers a Reciprocal Provisional Teaching Certificate for candidates with a valid, comparable out-of-state certificate, with reciprocity and exam-waiver provisions based on your prior credential and experience. Confirm what still applies with ADE's Certification Unit rather than assuming your prior state's requirements carry over unchanged.
Is teaching a growing career in Arizona?
Yes, at the state level. Arizona's Office of Economic Opportunity projects growth in every core K-12 teaching category through 2034, even though several of the same occupations are projected to decline nationally over the same period.
- Requirements depend on your certificate: the traditional pathway calls for a bachelor's degree plus a State Board-approved preparation program, but Arizona allows other coursework, experience, or approved options for some certification areas.
- Testing requirements vary too: professional-knowledge and subject-knowledge requirements apply, but several routes, including NES/AEPA exams, qualifying degrees, and verified experience, can satisfy them depending on the certificate.
- Career-changers can start sooner: the Teaching Intern Certificate lets you teach while finishing the requirements specific to your certification area.
- Reciprocity depends on your prior credential: Arizona offers reciprocity and exam-waiver provisions for out-of-state teachers, but what applies depends on your certification area and experience.
- Arizona's own job growth beats the national trend: every core K-12 teaching occupation is projected to grow in Arizona through 2034, according to the state's Office of Economic Opportunity.
2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Middle School Teachers, High School Teachers, Preschool Teachers, and Special Education Teachers. Job growth projections (2024-2034) for Arizona are from the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity, a US Department of Labor-sponsored resource also available through Projections Central. Figures reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed August 2026.
Certification requirements are the same wherever you start, but the program you pick decides how fast you get there. The sponsored programs listed here include online and accelerated formats built for people who already hold a degree in something other than education and want the most direct path into an Arizona classroom.