Educator Endorsements

 

Endorsement Overview

An endorsement is attached to a license area and qualifies an educator to do one of three things:

  1. Provide instruction in a specific content area (e.g., Mathematics, History, CTE-Technology). 
  2. Provide instruction to a specific group of students (e.g. Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Gifted and Talented). 
  3. Provide formal evidence of your expertise in a particular field, or to apply a specific set of skills in an education setting (e.g., Instructional Coaching, Elementary Mathematics). even if they do not qualify you to teach a specific course.

Competency-Based

The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) uses a competency-based model to create more personalized pathways for educators to earn endorsements.

What is Educator Competency?

Educator Competency is the demonstration of three essential areas needed to effectively and efficiently instruct every student toward mastery in their learning:

  • Content Knowledge: Mastery of the subject matter.
  • Pedagogical Skills: The ability to teach the subject effectively.
  • Professional Dispositions: The essential professional attitudes and behaviors.

This approach, which aligns with Utah’s education goals, offers several benefits for educators and schools:

  • Flexibility: Provides greater flexibility in how educators can meet endorsement requirements.
  • Recognition: Acknowledges and validates your previously acquired knowledge and skills.
  • Workforce Quality: Gives schools and districts more options for building a highly qualified teaching staff.

Endorsement Levels: Associate vs. Professional

You can apply for one of two levels of endorsements: Professional or Associate.

Professional Endorsement

A Professional endorsement means you have demonstrated competency in all endorsement requirements. The Professional endorsement:

  • Can only be attached to a Professional Educator License.
  • Is valid until June 30 of the fifth year after it was issued, or the date your current educator license expires, whichever date comes first.
  • Is renewable when you renew your educator license.
  • Important Note: If you meet all requirements for this endorsement but have not yet earned your Professional Educator License, an Associate endorsement will be granted temporarily until you earn your Professional License.

Associate Endorsement

An Associate Endorsement means you have shown the minimum competency as outlined in the endorsement's specs document. You are expected to complete any remaining requirements during the valid period. An Associate endorsement: 

  • Can be attached to a Professional Educator License or an Associate Educator License.
  • Is valid until June 30 of the third year after it is issued, or the date your current educator license expires, whichever date comes first.
  • Is not renewable.
  • Action Required: Once you complete all remaining requirements, you must re-apply for the Professional Endorsement using the Endorsement Only application in SM Apply. This updates your endorsement status.

Before You Apply

You must meet one of the following requirements to apply for any endorsement:

  • You already hold a current Associate or Professional Utah Educator License.
  • You are submitting the endorsement as part of a pending Associate Educator License (AEL) application.

Applications and Specs

For most endorsements, you need two items: the specs document and the application form.

  1. The Specs Document:

    This guide lists the specific competencies (knowledge and skills) you must demonstrate, along with the approved pathways for meeting those requirements.

    Note: Requirements for the Associate-level endorsement are detailed in the specs document.

  2. The Application Form:

    This form is where you select and document the specific pathway you completed for each competency area.

    Action: You must download this form and submit it as part of your online application.

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.

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. 

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

Visit the CTE Endorsement Applications page to find the applications and additional information about becoming a Career and Technical Education teacher in Utah.

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

Authorizes an educator to deliver specially designed instruction to specific groups of students with disabilities.

A Special Education endorsement cannot be used to add the Secondary license area to your existing educator license. 

Supplemental endorsements authorize an educator to teach specific groups of students when combined with another License Area and/or Content-Area Endorsement (e.g., Gifted and Talented, DLI)

Value-Add endorsements provide formal evidence of your expertise in a particular field, or to apply a specific set of skills in an education setting (e.g., Instructional Coaching, Elementary Mathematics).

Supplemental and Value-Add endorsements cannot be used to add the Secondary license area to your existing educator license. 

Submitting Your Application

Follow these three steps to submit your application:

  1. Download and complete the endorsement application form.
  2. Request official transcripts  from the college or university that issued the coursework or transcript evaluations from an approved service. Send them to transcripts@schools.utah.gov via an approved service (like Clearinghouse).
  3. Submit an online “Endorsement Only” application through SM Apply at https://usbelicensing.smapply.us.

Need Help? A tutorial is available here:

 

Endorsement Updates

Adding a Secondary License Area

Recent changes to Board Policy make it easier to add a Secondary Education license to your current Professional License. You can do this by meeting the requirements for a Professional Content Area Endorsement or CTE Endorsement.

You are eligible to add the Secondary license area if you currently hold a Professional License in any of the following areas:

  • Deaf Education
  • Early Childhood
  • Elementary Education
  • Preschool Special Education
  • Special Education

Two Routes to Add a Secondary License Area

If you currently hold a Professional Educator License, you can apply to add the Secondary License Area through two different routes in the SM Apply system:

Route 1: Upgrade to Professional Application

Use the LER Upgrade to Professional application if you already have both of the following:

  • A qualifying license area.
  • A qualifying endorsement.
Route 2: Endorsement Only Application

Use the Endorsement Only application if you are applying to add the Secondary License Area along with one of the following:

  • A professional Content Area Endorsement.
  • A CTE Endorsement (Career and Technical Education).

Retired Endorsements

We no longer accept forms for endorsements that have been retired. The approval period for retired Professional Endorsements ended on June 30, 2025.