The PSESD Certification Office

This ESD processes nearly 40% of all certification applications in Washington State each year! We strive to provide the best service possible to school districts, post-secondary institutions, and educators. Friendly and knowledgeable assistance with applications and materials is also provided--free of charge!

Fingerprinting Department

If you are planning to apply for a Washington State teaching certificate or employment at any K-12 public school, contact Puget Sound ESD's certification office as a first step.

Due to the large amount of districts in our territory, Puget Sound ESD offers the fingerprinting service by appointment.  Please contact our fingerprint specialist, Patti Moench, at (425) 917-7614 with questions, or to schedule an appointment.  The fees for this service are as follows (effective 7/1/09):

• $71.25 (for school district employees, college students and for certification) 

Please be aware that these fees are determined by The Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the Washington State Patrol, and are subject to change.

When submitting payment for fingerprinting and/or certification fees to this ESD, acceptable methods of payment are cash, cashier's check, money order, or personal/business check ONLY. Debit and credit cards are not yet accepted at this time. 

PLEASE NOTE:  If you are bringing young children with you, please bring along someone to care for them during your appointment!  

Driving directions to our agency are available in the contact us section of the website. 

We look forward to helping you! 

Specific Certification Information & Forms

• Teacher Certification
• Career & Technical Education (Vocational)
• Administrative Certification
• Educational Staff Associate Certification
• Limited Certificates

Additional Information

• FAQs
• Advancement from Residency to Professional
• Educator Preparation Programs
• Employment
• Salary Information (PDF)
• Certification Forms
• Laws, Regulations & Reports
• Basic Skills Test

PSESD Resources

• One-to-One Newsletter
• Clock Hours
• Class Offerings
• Maps & Directions

Teacher Certification

• Residency and/or Substitute Teacher
• Residency Renewal Teacher
• Professional Teacher
• Professional Renewal
• Initial Renewal
• Conversion of a Lapsed Initial Teaching Certificate to Residency
• Conversion of a Lapsed Provisional Teaching Certificate to Residency
• Continuing Teacher
• Continuing Renewal
• Continuing Reinstatement
• Transitional Teacher Certificate
• Substitute Teacher
• Career & Technical Education (Vocational)
• Adding Additional Endorsements
• Foreign Trained
• Name Change/Replacement of Certificate
• Basic Skills Test
• 4031R Residency Reissuance Form 

Career & Technical Education (Vocational)

• Initial CTE
• Initial Renewal/Continuing CTE
• Continuing Renewal CTE
• Continuing Reinstatement CTE
• Counselor CTE
• Occupational Career Specialist CTE
• Director CTE
• Conditional CTE
• Probationary CTE
• Name Change/Replacement of CTE Certificate (to be added soon)
• Career and Technical Education Teacher Training Competency Block Certificate Program CTE

• Initial Principal
• Initial Program Administrator
• Initial Superintendent
• Continuing or Second Initial Issuance of Administrator Certificate
• Continuing Renewal
• Continuing Reinstatement
• Name Change/Replacement of Certificate

Educational Staff Associate Certification

• Initial School Counselor
• Initial School Psychologist
• Initial School Social Worker
• Initial School Nurse
• Initial Occupational Therapist
• Initial Physical Therapist
• Initial Speech Language Pathologist or Audiologist
• Continuing or Second Initial Issuance of Educational Staff Associate Certificate
• Continuing Renewal
• Continuing Reinstatement
• Name Change/Replacement of Certificate 

Limited Certificates

• Emergency
• Emergency Substitute
• Intern Substitute
• Conditional
• Transitional Certificate
• Name Change/Replacement of Certificate