The first requirement for any special education certification is to fill out and submit the Application for Certification and pay the fee for that particular certification. Along with the application, one of the two must be provided: a photocopy of a valid Arizona IVP fingerprint card issued on or after Jan. 1, 2008, or a photocopy of a valid Arizona fingerprint clearance card issued prior to Jan. 1, 2008.
All of the special education certifications in Arizona require a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited institution. A transcript must be provided.
Arizona also requires verification of state-approved Structured English Immersion (SEI) training with the amount of time required based on when the training took place. For example, if the training took place before Aug. 1, 2006, then one semester hour or 15 clock hours of verification are required. If the training took place after Aug. 1, 2006, then verification is required for 3 semester hours or 45 clock hours.
For each certification there is a provisional certification and a standard certification. The provisional certification is the first certification anyone can get, is valid for three years and can be renewed once for another three years.
The provisional certification is required to obtain the standard certification.
The main requirement for a standard certification for any special education certification is qualifying for and holding a provisional certification for two years. Also required is a photocopy of a valid Arizona fingerprint IVP or clearance card and verification of three semester hours or 45 clock hours of state approved Structured English Immersion (SEI). Two years of verified full time teaching while holding a provisional certification is the requirement to convert a provisional certification into a standard certification.