Educator Endorsements

Content Area Endorsements

A Content Area endorsement authorizes you to teach the specific subject named on the endorsement (e.g., Math, History).

This qualification applies to departmentalized classes, such as those typically found in middle school or high school settings.

You must qualify for a content area or CTE endorsement for an Associate Educator License (AEL) in Secondary Education.

If you hold a Professional Educator License in a qualifying teaching area, you can use a professional Content Area Endorsement to add the Secondary license area to your license. See the Endorsement Updates tab for more information. 

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Endorsements

If you hold a Professional Educator License in a qualifying teaching area and a bachelor's degree or higher, you can use a professional CTE endorsement to add the Secondary license area to your license. See the Endorsement Updates tab for more information.

A CTE endorsement authorizes you to teach Career and Technical Education classes (e.g., business, skilled trades).

Utah offers three types of CTE endorsements.

Occupational Experience Endorsements

You can get an Occupational Experience endorsement (an official add-on to a teaching license) based on your hands-on work experience in a specific job or career field. You do not need a college degree to get this endorsement. This endorsement qualifies you to teach a limited group of courses within the career cluster.

How to Apply for a CTE Occupational Experience Endorsement

An Occupational Experience endorsement must be attached to a Secondary or CTE license area. If you do not already have a Utah Educator License, you may apply using the Associate Educator License application process. 

Follow these steps to apply:

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

• You need at least 3 years of full-time work experience (or the part-time equivalent) in your career field.
• You can count experience from working for an employer or from self-employment.

Step 2: Fill Out the Application Form

• Open the CTE Occupational Experience Application Form.
• Enter your contact details and Educator ID.
• Pick the 1 career field that matches your work history.
• List your most recent work experience in that field.

Step 3: Verify Your Work History

Choose the option below that fits your work experience:

• If you worked for an employer:

  • Fill out Section 2 of the CTE Occupational Experience Verification of Experience Form
  • Send the form to your former employer's Human Resources (HR) administrator.
  • Ask your HR administrator to complete Section 3 and email the PDF directly to licensing@schools.utah.gov from their work email address.
  • If you had more than one employer to reach 3 years of work, you must send a separate form to each employer.

Important: You cannot send this form yourself. Utah Educator Licensing will only accept forms sent directly by your employer.

• If you were self-employed:

  • You do not need an employer form if you were self-employed in the area for at least 3 years.
  • Complete the self-employment section and sign the statement on the application.
  • Gather federal tax documents showing 3 years of full-time work (such as Form 1040 with Schedule C or tax transcripts from IRS.gov).
  • You may cross out private details like your Social Security number.

CTE Occupational Experience Application Form

CTE Occupational Experience Verification of Experience Form

Competency-Based Endorsements

This endorsement is for individuals who demonstrate their skills and knowledge through testing, certifications, or coursework.

Career Cluster (Retiring)

The state is phasing out this endorsement type.

• If you already hold a Career Cluster endorsement: It remains valid.
• If you are a new applicant: You must apply under either the Occupational Experience-Based or Competency-Based pathways

Special Education Endorsements

A Special Education endorsement authorizes you to deliver specially designed instruction to specific groups of students with disabilities.

A Special Education endorsement cannot be used to qualify for a Secondary AEL or to add the Secondary license area to your existing educator license. 

The Special Education Mathematics endorsement is found under the Value-Add Endorsements menu. It is considered "Value-Add" endorsements because it shows specific training in mathematics and is not a required endorsement for Special Education mathematics courses.

Value-Add Endorsements

Value-add endorsements verify your skills in areas like Instructional Coaching or Elementary Math. They may also qualify you to teach specific courses, such as Reading or Gifted and Talented.

Important Rule for Value-add Endorsements: Value-Add endorsements cannot be used to qualify for a Secondary AEL or to add the Secondary license area to your existing educator license. 

Endorsement Contacts

For general Inquiries about the endorsement application process, please contact USBE licensing at (801) 538-7740 or by email licensing@schools.utah.gov.

Endorsement Updates

Retired Endorsements