EDUCATOR LICENSING

GETTING STARTED
As you get started with the licensing process, there are two distinct components of which you need to be aware to keep you on track. You need both components to teach Career and Technical Education courses.

1. LICENSE – A license is an authorization issued by the Utah State Board of Education that permits the holder to serve in a professional capacity in the public education system or an accredited private school.
2. ENDORSEMENT – An endorsement is a specialty field or area earned through course work equivalent to at least an academic minor or through demonstrated competency. Endorsements are listed on the Professional Educator License indicating the specific qualification(s) of the holder.

ROUTES TO LICENSURE
There are several ways to earn a Professional Educator License.

1. UNIVERSITY TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAM is the traditional route to earning a Professional Educator License. A license is issued to an individual who completes a university teacher preparation program. Contact the university teacher preparation program for more information.
2. ALTERNATIVE ROUTES TO LICENSURE PROGRAM (ARL) is a teacher preparation program for individuals who currently hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Candidates must have a degree major in a subject taught in Utah secondary schools. For additional information, please visit www.schools.utah.gov/cert/apt/ARL/
3. CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION ALTERNATIVE PREPARATION PROGRAM (CTE-APP) is an alternative licensure route for the experienced professional. With a combination of work experience and education, an individual may qualify for this licensure route. For additional information, please review the information on CTE licenses below.
   
   

   WHAT IS A CTE LICENSE?
   A CTE license allows an individual to teach career and technical education courses. There are three levels of CTE licenses. Each level is for a designated period of time and entails meeting different requirements to advance from one level to another.

   Level 1 is the entry-level license, which is good for three years. Those individuals that enter the education field for the first time from business and industry with or without a bachelor's degree are granted this level.

   There are limitations on the CTE license. These include being limited to teach only those courses or programs that are directly related to the endorsement granted, which include, but are not limited to: welding, culinary arts, carpentry, dental assisting, drafting, automotive, electronics, machine tool, law enforcement, medical assisting, computer programming, fashion merchandising, cosmetology/barbering, commercial art, etc.

   Individuals who hold a Level 1 license can advance to a Level 2 by completing outlined requirements, which include: seventeen (17) semester hours of education courses, score 160 on the Praxis II exam, create a portfolio, complete three years of teaching and be assigned a mentor. 

Transition to Teaching: Summer Course Offerings at SLCC - PDF

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Individuals that meet the following general requirements may be eligible for a CTE license.

Documented evidence of six (6) years of full-time occupational work experience in one of the CTE license areas.

                                          OR

Documented evidence of an associate's degree in a CTE license area and four (4) years of full-time related work experience.

                                          OR

Documented evidence of a bachelor's degree in a CTE related area and two (2) years of full-time related work experience.

All work experience needs to be within 10 years of application.

Work experience requirement will be waived if the applicant successfully passes a recognized industry standard examination or state-approved competency examination at or above the established cut-off scores.

ENDORSEMENT AND SAEP INFORMATION
There are two ways in which to earn an endorsement.

1. ENDORSEMENT- Endorsements are requested when a licensed educator wants the authorization to teach outside his/her current endorsement area(s). All endorsement requirements should be completed before the application is submitted. A processing fee of $35.00 is the responsibility of the educator and must be submitted with the endorsement application.
2. SAEP - A State Approved Endorsement Plan (SAEP) is requested by an educator or district when that district has assigned the educator to teach outside of his/her endorsement area(s). The educator must have at least nine semester hours of related course work and/or two years of related work experience and complete the endorsement requirements within the timeframe identified in the plan. Since the SAEP is required by the district, the $30.00 processing fee is the responsibility of the district and must be submitted with the SAEP application.

For additional information regarding specific requirements, contact the education specialist responsible for the area in which you have qualification.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Complete the related application, license and/or endorsement application(s). Each program has a specific applications; make sure to use the correct application.  Do not leave any information categories blank. Attach the supporting documentation such as official college transcripts, letters to verify employment, test scores, copies of current professional licenses or other documentation requested by the state specialist.  Do not send letters of reference or resumes.

Submit your application and supporting documentation to:
Stephanie Ferris
Education Quality Services
250 East 500 South
PO Box 144200
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4200

Updated May 20, 2008