Become a Teacher
in Arizona

To become a certified teacher in Arizona, you will need to fulfill all prerequisite coursework, teacher preparation, and testing requirements.

Our goal is to make this process as easy as possible, and we are dedicated to updating the site with new information on a regular basis. To stay up-to-date with the latest in teacher certification, please complete the form in the right sidebar.

Prerequisite CourseworkArizona Prerequisite Coursework

All states require that certified teachers at a minimum have a Bachelor’s degree. Additionally, some states have undergraduate credit hour requirements for certification in specialty areas. Arizona, however, does not have any undergraduate credit hour requirements.
This page is sponsored by MAT@USC, a Master of Arts in Teaching program delivered online that enables you to earn a Master’s degree and teaching credential. Learn more about how the University of Southern California can help you become a transformative teacher in Arizona.

Teacher PreparationArizona Teacher Preparation

Teacher preparation includes the completion of an accredited teacher education program.
Alternative Certification Graduates of accredited colleges or universities whose bachelor’s degree was not in education, and who have not yet earned a traditional teaching certificate, can still receive an alternative teaching certificate by satisfying certain requirements. Information about alternative certification in Arizona is coming soon!
Typically teacher education programs consist of a combination of curricula and fieldwork. The curricula often includes instruction on foundational knowledge and skills, pedagogy (or the art and science of teaching), and preparing students to research, design and implement learning experiences in their field of study. The fieldwork component can include field observations, student teaching, and an internship.

Certification ReciprocityArizona Certification Reciprocity

Arizona will accept some teaching credentials from the following states. Contact the Arizona Department of Education to inquire about your specific situation. Please see our interstate reciprocity disclaimer for more information.
Alabama Arkansas California Colorado
Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii
Idaho Illinois Indiana Kansas
Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts
Michigan Mississippi Missouri Montana
Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey
New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota
Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania
Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee
Texas Utah Vermont Virginia
Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Teacher SalaryArizona Teacher Salary

  • Average Elementary Teacher Salary: The average elementary school teacher in Arizona makes $42,110
  • Average Secondary Teacher Salary: The average secondary teacher in Arizona makes $43,880
  • Teacher Salary vs. State Average Salary: The average teacher in Arizona makes 117% of the salary of the average worker in Arkansas
  • Number of Vacation Weeks Per Year: The average teacher in Arizona receives 15 weeks of vacation per year

Required TestsArizona Required Tests

In order to become a certified teacher, you must satisfactorily complete the Basic Skill Test requirement and any Subject Area Competence assessments needed for your desired area of instruction.
Basic Skills Test
  • Elementary: A passing score on the Professional Knowledge Elementary portion of the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment (AEPA)
  • Secondary: A passing score on the Professional Knowledge Secondary portion of the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment (AEPA)
Subject Area Competence

Teacher Certification Information & LinksArizona Teacher Certification Information & Links


This page is sponsored by MAT@USC, a Master of Arts in Teaching program delivered online that enables you to earn a Master’s degree and teaching credential. Learn more about how the University of Southern California can help you become a transformative teacher in Arizona.