Loading...
Loading...
Teacher / Substitute Teacher · Arizona
Everything you need to become a certified teacher or substitute teacher in Arizona. Education, exams, fees, and application steps — verified against Arizona Department of Education (ADE) - Educator Certification.
Last verified: 2026-03-21
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
Degree Required
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
Primary Exam
Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA) - Professional Knowledge Exam
Total Gov Fees
$430–$500
Initial Cert
12 years
| Requirement | Value | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Education | Bachelor's degree | Verified |
| Degree Required | Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution | Verified |
| Teacher Prep Program | Required | Verified |
| Student Teaching | Required | Verified |
| Background Check | Required | Verified |
| Fingerprinting | Required | |
| Minimum Age | 18 | Verified |
| Citizenship | U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the U.S. | Verified |
Not sure if you need a teacher license? Check whether your state requires one.
pedagogy
Passing score: Varies by exam
Tests professional knowledge and pedagogical skills. Required for most certification areas.
content knowledge
Passing score: Varies by subject area
Subject-specific content knowledge exam corresponding to the certification area sought.
Didn't pass on the first try? Learn what to do if you fail the Praxis.
Overall licensing difficulty: 23/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
Praxis Teacher Certification Exams
Browse study guides
Teacher Exam Prep Books
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
Prepare with realistic Praxis Teacher Certification Exams practice tests from Exam Edge →(affiliate link)See our discount
Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA) - Professional Knowledge Exam
Passing Score
Varies by exam
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $300Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA) - Professional Knowledge Exam.
Matched study materials
Study Materials & Exam Prep — Praxis Core Academic Skills
Prepare for your Praxis Core Academic Skills with Mometrix study guides, flashcards, and practice tests.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Arizona's primary teaching certificate issued to teachers who have completed all requirements. Valid for 12 years (one of the longest validity periods in the nation). Renewable with proof of 180 professional development hours.
Issued to individuals who hold a bachelor's degree and are enrolled in an approved alternative certification program. Allows teaching while completing program requirements.
Allows holder to substitute in the temporary absence of a regular contract teacher. Requires a bachelor's degree. Valid for 6 years.
Minimum Education
Bachelor's degree
Certificate Required
Substitute Certificate (PreK-12) or Emergency Substitute Certificate
Background Check
Required
Permit Fee
$60
Validity
6 years
Arizona requires a Substitute Certificate for substitute teaching. The standard Substitute Certificate requires a bachelor's degree, a valid Arizona DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card, and a $60 fee. Valid for 6 years. An Emergency Substitute Certificate may be issued at the request of a school superintendent for districts with emergency staffing needs, limiting the holder to 120 days per school year in the same school.
| Fee | Amount | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Application FeeNon-refundable certification fee | $60 | Verified |
| Fingerprint FeeArizona DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card (valid for 6 years) | $67 | Verified |
| Exam Fees (Total)Professional Knowledge ($150) and Subject Knowledge ($150) AEPA exams | $300 | Verified |
| Initial CertificateIncluded in application fee | $60 | Verified |
| Renewal FeeRenewal fee per certificate | $20 | Verified |
| Substitute PermitSubstitute certificate fee | $60 | Verified |
| Total Government FeesIncludes application, fingerprint clearance card, and exam fees | $430–$500 | Verified |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Calculate your licensing ROI →
See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
Graduate from an approved teacher preparation program with at least a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Take and pass the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA) Professional Knowledge and Subject Knowledge exams for your certification area.
Fee: $300
Apply for and receive an Identity Verified Prints (IVP) Fingerprint Clearance Card from the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
Fee: $67
The Fingerprint Clearance Card is valid for 6 years.
Apply through the Arizona Department of Education's Educator Portal (ADE Connect) or by mail.
Fee: $60
Once all requirements are verified, the Standard Teaching Certificate is issued for 12 years.
Arizona offers an Alternative Teaching Certificate for individuals who hold a bachelor's degree and are enrolled in an approved alternative certification program. The alternative certificate is valid for 2 years and allows candidates to teach while completing program requirements.
Available Programs:
CE Required
Yes
Hours per Cycle
180
Renewal Cycle
12 years
Arizona requires 180 professional development hours for renewal of the 12-year Standard Teaching Certificate. The requirement scales by certificate validity period: 6-year certificates require 90 hours, 8-year certificates require 120 hours. Beginning August 1, 2025, new K-5 teachers responsible for literacy instruction must earn a Literacy Endorsement within 3 years of certification.
Browse Teacher study materials on Amazon →(affiliate link)
Reciprocity Type
NASDTEC Interstate Agreement
Interstate Agreement
NASDTEC Interstate Agreement
Arizona participates in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement. Out-of-state teachers with valid certificates from participating states may be eligible for Arizona certification.
Additional requirements: Out-of-state applicants must hold a valid Arizona DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card, provide verification of a valid out-of-state certificate, and may need to pass Arizona-specific exams depending on their certification area.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Arizona with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Unique to Arizona: Arizona's Standard Teaching Certificate has a 12-year validity period, which is the longest or one of the longest in the nation. The state uses its own AEPA exam system and requires an Arizona DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card rather than a standard fingerprint-based background check. The $20 renewal fee is one of the lowest in the country.
Teacher requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona (you) | $430–$500 | 216–234 wks | |
| California | $575–$875 | 216–234 wks | → |
| Colorado | $250–$470 | 216–234 wks | → |
| Nevada | $480–$650 | 216–234 wks | → |
| New Mexico | $363–$574 | 216–234 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in Arizona
See how Arizona compares: Teacher License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Compare teacher requirements across all states →
Teacher licensing requirements nationwide →
Not sure teacher is right for you? Find careers that match your situation →
How does Arizona compare to other states for teacher? See the full comparison →
Calculate the return on investment for your teacher license →
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Arizona.
Teacher Schools in Arizona
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Not sure this is the right career? Take a 2-minute quiz →
Answer 6 quick questions and we'll match you with the best-fit licensed profession.
Official Sources
Teacher requirements in Arizona verified against Arizona Department of Education (ADE) - Educator Certification, March 2026.
Moving to Arizona? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Teacher license to Arizona →
Transfer your Teacher license from Arizona to: California → | Colorado → | Nevada → | New Mexico → | Utah →
Study guides for Praxis Core and subject-specific teacher exams.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.