Inside USBE > Departments and Programs > Career and Technical Education (CTE) > Educator Endorsements
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.
License
A license is an authorization issued by the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) that permits the holder to serve in a professional capacity in the public education system or an accredited private school. There are different ways to earn a Professional Educator License.
Educator Preparation Program
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.
Associate Educator License (AEL)
The AEL is for anyone who wants to become a Utah teacher and needs to use an alternate pathway to earn a Utah Professional Educator License. A potential educator must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university or have appropriate CTE expertise certification.
If you do not have a license, stop and complete the Associate Educator License (AEL) application process before moving forward with endorsement application.
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.
State Approved Endorsement Plan (SAEP)
An SAEP is a two-year plan to allow an educator to earn an endorsement while teaching in the area. To be eligible, an educator must meet the following SAEP criteria before submitting an endorsement application.
To be eligible for an endorsement, you must hold a current license. If you do not have a license, stop and complete the Associate Educator License (AEL) application process before moving forward with endorsement application.
Complete the related endorsement application. Each CTE Career Cluster has specific applications; make sure to use the correct application. All information is submitted electronically.
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Successful completion of a profession exam approved by the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) may serve as a substitute for education and/or work experience requirements for certain Career and Technical Education (CTE) endorsements.
Payment for an exam must be received by June 30th in order to be scheduled for the fall testing window. Orders not received by the deadline will be held until the next testing window.
National or State Occupational Competency Examinations
There are national and state competency assessments used in-lieu of occupational experience. Some of these exams are tied to national or state accreditations. These assessments are administered through their individual organizations or government entities. The cost will vary. Please review the respective exam's website of further information on cost, examination site, and dates of availability.
Other certificates/licenses are required in specific program areas and they include:
Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certification
Master ASE Certification in Automotive Service
Master ASE Certification in Automotive Autobody
Master ASE Certification in Medium/Heavy Duty Truck
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Airframe and Powerplant (A and P) Inspector License for Aviation Maintenance
Commercial Aircraft Pilot and Flight Instructor
American Welding Society (AWS)
Certified Welding Educator
Certified Welding Inspector
Utah State Department of Commerce: Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL)
Construction Licensing:
Contracting-Carpentry
Electrical
Plumbing
National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) Testing
The National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) is a provider of occupational competency assessments used in Utah to evaluate an instructor’s competence in a content area. These assessments are used in lieu of work experience when an individual is applying for a teaching license. The assessments are broken into two parts:
To learn more about a specific exam, visit Teacher Testing site and click on the test name for more information. Not all of the exams listed are offered or applicable in Utah. For a complete list of the exams offered through Utah’s testing service, please refer to the order form.
To order a test, complete and submit the order form with payment, per instructions found on the form. Testing sessions for each exam are offered at least once each year, in early August. Additional sessions will be scheduled if there are five or more individuals who would like to take a given exam.
The cost for a NOCTI exam is $250.00. Fees for NOCTI exams include:
Please note the following:
Utah Photography Teacher Exam (UPTE)
The Utah Photography Teacher Exam (UPTE) was created to fill a void created when NOCTI discontinued their test for this area. This assessment is broken into two parts:
To schedule a test, complete and submit the order form with payment, per instructions found on the form. Testing sessions for each exam are offered at least once each year, in early August. Additional sessions will be scheduled if there are five or more individuals who would like to take a given exam.
Please note the following:
For more information, contact:
Doug Livingston
State of Utah Testing Coordinator
Phone: (801) 538-7598 | E-mail
This course serves as an introduction to the world of Career and Technical Education (CTE). It contains basic information that every CTE teacher needs to understand. This course replaces the CTE New Teacher Academy requirement.
Note: After completing the registration steps outlined below, login to the Utah State Board of Education's Canvas site to access the CTE Orientation course.
Introduction
Module 01: CTE Organization and Licensing
Module 02: Career Pathways
Module 03: Strands and Standards
Module 04: Skill Certification
Module 05: Professional Organizations
Module 06: Career and Technical Student Organizations
Module 07: Advisory Boards
Module 08: Safety
Module 09: CTE Funding
Module 10: Program of Quality
You will work at your own pace as you review the material and assemble a portfolio. College-level, professional work standards are expected.
CTE Orientation Canvas Course Registration
Note: After completing the registration steps, login to the Utah State Board of Education's Canvas site to access the CTE Orientation course. The registration link will not allow you to access work previously created/submitted for the course.