American sign language (ASL) is one of the world language endorsements teachers may hold. The ASL world language endorsement is matched with courses in ASL. PESB approves preparation programs to offer endorsements in world languages.

What are the requirements for obtaining the ASL world language endorsement?

Like all world languages, ASL is a test-only endorsement. This means that individuals who already have a teacher certificate can add the endorsement by completing the assessments, and are not required to complete an endorsement program. Pre-service candidates can meet the endorsement requirements through a program approved to offer it, or can add it on a test-only basis if they are earning at least one other endorsement through a program.

Options for adding the ASL world language endorsement:

• Option 1:  American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA) certification.
• Option 2: American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) with a proficiency level of 3+ or above, and the designated world language WEST-E test #100.

Resources

• Board decision on assessment requirements for ASL world language
• RCW 28A.410.010(1)(b)

Teachers with this specialty area instruct the CTE (Career and Technical Education) sign language interpretation course. CTE teacher certificates may have specialty areas called v-codes on them. The CTE ASL (American Sign Language) interpreter is one specialty area that a CTE teacher may earn.

What are the requirements for obtaining this specialty area?

In order to obtain this specialty area on a certificate, an individual needs to:

• Meet the requirements for an initial CTE teacher certificate, including 2,000 to 6,000 hours of occupational experience as an interpreter, depending on CTE certificate type.
  • Individuals who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or whose primary method of communication is American Sign Language (ASL), may have the requirements for interpreter experience waived by OSPI.
• And, complete one or more of the following:
  • National interpreter certification
  • Or, Certified Deaf interpreter certificate
  • Or, American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA) certification
  • Or, meet the standard required for educational interpreters for the deaf:
    • Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) with a minimum score of 4.0, and the EIPA written test with a passing score;
    • Or, National Interpreter Certification from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), and the EIPA written test with a passing score.
  • Or, American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) with a proficiency level of 3+ or above.

Resources

• WAC 181-77-050
• RCW 28A.410.010(1)(b)
• RCW 43.20A.720

This endorsement is for teachers who will be working with students who are deaf or hard of hearing. This endorsement focuses on the skills and knowledge necessary to serve these students’ education and communication needs.

Prior to April 2021, Deaf education was a specialty endorsement, not a regular endorsement. Educators who hold the specialty endorsement continue to hold it and renew their teacher certificate in the same way they always have.

What are the requirements for obtaining this endorsement?

To obtain this endorsement, candidates must meet the requirements for obtaining a teacher certificate. Candidates must also meet one of the following:

• A state-approved Deaf education program* and the content knowledge assessment;
• Or, a Deaf education program accredited by the Council on Education for the Deaf (CED) and the content knowledge assessment;
• Or, the National Board certification in the Exceptional Needs Specialist area of Deaf / hard of hearing.

*Out-of-state Deaf education programs must be approved by another state to be eligible for use towards Washington certification.

Resources

• Deaf education endorsement competencies
• WEST-E in deaf education
• House Bill 1893: Certification of teachers of the Deaf and hard of hearing
• WAC 181-82A-207 and 181-82A-208
• RCW 28A.410.225

This endorsement is for teachers who will be working with students who are Deaf or hard of hearing and provides evidence that they have ASL proficiency. This endorsement focuses on the skills and knowledge necessary to serve these students’ education and communication needs.

Prior to April 2021, Deaf education was a specialty endorsement, not a regular endorsement. Educators who hold the specialty endorsement continue to hold it and renew their teacher certificate in the same way they always have.

What are the requirements for obtaining this endorsement?

To obtain this endorsement, candidates must meet the requirements for obtaining a teacher certificate. Candidates must also meet one of the following:

• A state-approved Deaf education program* and the content knowledge assessment;
• Or, a Deaf education program accredited by the Council on Education for the Deaf (CED) and the content knowledge assessment;
• Or, National Board certification in the Exceptional Needs Specialist area of Deaf / hard of hearing.

Teachers with this endorsement must also demonstrate ASL proficiency in one of the following ways:

• The American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) at 3+ or higher;
• Or, American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA) certification (requires ASLPI at 3+ or higher).

*Out-of-state Deaf education programs must be approved by another state to be eligible for use towards Washington certification.

Resources

• Deaf education endorsement competencies
• WEST-E in Deaf education
• House Bill 1893: Certification of teachers of the Deaf and hard of hearing
• WAC 181-82A-207 and 181-82A-208
• RCW 28A.410.225

This endorsement is for teachers who support the educational needs of students who are blind or have visual impairments.

In November 2023, the Board adopted the NES Blind/Low Vision (603) as the content knowledge assessment for the TVI endorsement.

Beginning January 30, 2024, TVI will only be issued as a regular endorsement.  Teachers holding the TVI specialty endorsement are considered equivalent to teachers holding the TVI regular endorsement and are not required to take the NES test or add the TVI regular endorsement to their teacher certificate.  More information on this transition can be found in the TVI regular endorsement FAQ.

What are the requirements for obtaining teacher of the visually impaired as an endorsement?

To obtain this endorsement, candidates must meet the requirements for obtaining a teacher certificate. Candidates must also meet one of the following:

• A state-approved teacher of the visually impaired program* and the content knowledge assessment;
• Or, National Board certification in the Exceptional Needs Specialist area of visual impairments.

*Out-of-state programs for teachers of the visually impaired must be approved by another state to be eligible to use towards Washington certification.

Resources

• Current teachers of the visually impaired (TOVI) endorsement competencies
• 2012 teachers of the visually impaired (TOVI) endorsement competencies
• Board presentation on 2012 endorsement competencies
• WAC 181-82A-207 and 181-82A-208
• RCW 28A.410.032
• Senate Bill 1078

Orientation and mobility specialists serve students who are blind or have vision impairments. They support students in learning their position within their environment and navigate safe movements from one place to another.

What are the requirements to obtain the initial orientation and mobility specialist educational staff associate (ESA) certificate?

To obtain the initial orientation and mobility specialist ESA certificate, educators need to complete the following:

• Hold a valid national certificate, including passing the exam associated with that certificate. National certificate could be either:
  • Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) certificate from Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP)
  • Or, the National Orientation and Mobility Certification (NOMC) from the National Blindness Professional Certification Board (NBPCB)
• And, a bachelor’s degree or higher in any area
• And, complete the ESA Professional Transitions to Public Schools course.

What are the requirements to renew or upgrade the orientation and mobility ESA certificate?

The orientation and mobility ESA certificate can be renewed, or upgraded from an initial to a continuing, in the same way as other initial/continuing ESA certificates.

Prior to April 2020, orientation and mobility was a specialty endorsement. Educators who currently hold the specialty endorsement would continue to hold it and renew their teacher certificate in the same way they always have.

Initial to continuing certification

An educator can choose to move from the initial to the continuing orientation and mobility ESA certificate. Educators can also choose to renew their initial ESA certificate.

To move from an initial to continuing ESA certificate, the orientation and mobility specialist must do the following:

• Have two years of FTE experience in their role and have completed coursework on issues of abuse;
• And, complete 150 clock hours or the equivalent in credits;
• And, hold valid COMS from ACVREP, or the NOMC from the NBPCB.

Renewing an initial or continuing certificate

Once an educator holds either the initial or continuing orientation and mobility certificate, they must renew their certificate every five years.

To renew the initial or continuing orientation and mobility certificates, educators must do the following:

• Complete 100 clock hours or the equivalent in professional growth plans (PGPs) or credits;
• And, hold a valid national certificate in COMS from ACVREP, or the NOMC from the NBPCB.

Conditional certificate

A conditional orientation and mobility certificate is valid for two years. In addition to other requirements for a conditional certificate, the following is required for the conditional orientation and mobility certificate:

• Educators must have completed all requirements for the national certificate (COMS or NOMC), as verified by the program, with the exception of the internship and the assessment;
• And, the school employer ensures the candidate has access to a mentor who meets the requirements for an intern supervisor set by ACVREP or NBPCB.

The orientation and mobility conditional certificate may only be reissued once. This means an individual could hold an orientation and mobility conditional certificate for a maximum of four years. After that, they would need to meet the requirements for an initial certificate.

Resources

• WAC 81-79A-223
• WAC 181-82A-207 and 181-82A-208
• WAC 392-172A-01155 (3)(g)

A certificated provider of Braille instruction holds an educator certificate, and is assigned to provide instruction in Braille to students.

What are the requirements for certificated providers of Braille instruction?

Certificated providers of Braille instruction are required to demonstrate competency with Unified English Braille code by successful completing of one of the following:

• the Braille competency test developed by Washington State School for the Blind, or
• Or, the National certification in Unified English Braille exam administered by the National Blindness Professional Certification Board (NBPCB);
• Or, the Library of Congress certificate in literary braille transcribing.

Each school district is responsible for monitoring the appropriate assignment of certificated providers of Braille instruction. Individuals have one year from the date of hire to successfully pass the testing requirements. Individuals must continue to meet renewal requirements for their exam or certificate.

Resources

• Ogden Resource Center with the Washington State School for the Blind
• The National Certification in Unified English Braille
• Board materials on Braille standards
• WAC 181-82-130
• WAC 392-172A-02090(1)(f)
• RCW 28A.155.105
• Senate Bill 1078

Classified providers of Braille instruction produce Braille materials or provide instruction in Braille to students. They work under the supervision of certificated staff.

What are the requirements for a classified provider of Braille instruction?

Classified providers of Braille instruction are required to demonstrate competency with Unified English Braille code by successful completing of one of the following:

• the Braille competency test developed by Washington State School for the Blind, or
• Or, the National certification in Unified English Braille exam administered by the National Blindness Professional Certification Board (NBPCB);
• Or, the Library of Congress certificate in literary braille transcribing.

Each school district is responsible for monitoring the appropriate assignment of classified providers of Braille instruction. Individuals have one year from the date of hire to successfully pass the testing requirements. Individuals must continue to meet any renewal requirements for their exam or certificate.

Resources

• Ogden Resource Center with the Washington State School for the Blind
• The National Certification in Unified English Braille
• Board materials on Braille standards
• WAC 181-82-130
• WAC 392-172A-02090(1)(f)
• RCW 28A.155.105
• Senate Bill 1078

An educational interpreter for the Deaf is a school district employee, certificated or classified, who provides sign language translation, transliteration, and further explanation of concepts introduced by the teacher for students who are Deaf, DeafBlind, or hearing impaired.

What are the options for meeting the educational interpreter requirements?

The Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) sets performance standards for educational interpreters for the Deaf. These performance standards can be met through one of two available options:

• Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) with a minimum score of 4.0, and the EIPA written test with a passing score; or
• Or, National Interpreter Certification from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), and the EIPA written test with a passing score.

What is the process if an educational interpreter does not meet the requirements?

If the educational interpreter does not meet the requirements, they must continue to attempt the assessment(s), and demonstrate to their school district’s satisfaction their ongoing efforts to successfully achieve the standards.

The interpreter may then continue to serve for one calendar year after receiving their most recent educational interpreter assessment results, or 18 months after completing their most recent educational interpreter assessment, whichever period is longer.

By the end of this time period, the interpreter must retake the assessment and achieve the standards. If they do not meet the standards, the interpreter must again demonstrate to the satisfaction of the school district their ongoing efforts to successfully achieve the standards, and plan to retake the assessment. Schools may consult with PESB for guidance in determining whether an educational interpreter has satisfactorily demonstrated ongoing efforts to successfully achieve the performance standards.

Mentoring and professional learning for interpreters

The Washington State Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth (CDHY) supports Washington State K-12 educational Interpreters through mentorship, professional development, and consultation. Their free educational interpreter mentorship program runs from September-May and includes weekly classes, monthly cohort meetings, and one-to-one meetings with Deaf and hearing mentors. Online options are available. Please contact CDHY Educational Interpreter Mentor Coordinator Charlene Williams at charlene.williams@cdhy.wa.gov or 360.931.8653 for further information.

Resources

• Educational interpreters performance standards – OSPI report (2017)
  • OSPI feasibility study of alternative assessments
• Standards for educational interpreters – PESB report (2013)
  • Establishes the standards for educational interpreters for the Deaf
• Senate bill 5142 (2017) Educational interpreters
• House bill 1144 (2013) Educational interpreters
• WAC 392-172A-02090
• WAC 392-172A-01155 (3)(d)
• RCW 28A.410.271