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.

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.

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 different ways to earn a Professional Educator License.

University Teacher 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.

Alternative Routes to Licensure Program (ARL)

A teacher preparation program for individuals who currently hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Please visit Alternative Routes to Licensure for additional information.

Endorsement and State Approved Endorsement Plan (SAEP)

There are two ways in which to earn an endorsement.

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.

SAEP

A 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 time frame identified in the plan.

Occupational Testing

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.

2018 Professional Examination Testing Dates

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:

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:

1. a written assessment: 3 hour time limit, roughly 180 multiple-choice questions
2. a performance assessment: varied time, varied tasks

To learn more about a specific exam, visit NOCTI's 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 $244.00. Fees for NOCTI exams include:

• Written Exam, Computer: $67
• Practical Exam: $77
• Proctor Fee: $100

NOCTI Examination Order Form

Please note the following:

• No test will be ordered or scheduled until after payment is received. 
• A test session will be arranged once the test is received. 
• Once the test session has been arranged, information on the test date, time, and location will be sent to each applicant.

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:

1. a written assessment: 2.5 hour time limit, multiple-choice questions 
2. a performance assessment: 4 hour time limit

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.

UPTE Exam Order Form

Please note the following:

• No test will be ordered or scheduled until after payment is received. 
• A test session will be arranged once the test is received. 
• Once the test session has been arranged, information on the test date, time, and location will be sent to each applicant.

For more information, contact:

Doug Livingston
State of Utah Testing Coordinator
Phone: (801) 538-7598 | E-mail

Resources

Level Advancement Form