Substitute Certificate Requirements
The following information is shared from the Arizona Department of Education:
Certificate Information
The substitute certificate entitles the holder to substitute in the temporary absence of a regular contract teacher. The certificate is valid for 6 years and is renewable.
Requirement Checklist
- IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety
- Official Transcripts documenting a Bachelor's degree or higher
- Application completed online through the Arizona Department of Education. This includes a certificate fee of $60.00 paid to the state.
Step 1 - IVP Card
Before you can apply for a substitute certificate, you need to obtain an Identify Verified Prints (IVP) card from the state of Arizona. This involves a fingerprint background check and fee, managed by the Arizona Department of Public Safety. If you already have your IVP card, or once you receive your physical card in the mail, you are ready to move on to the next step.
Click here to view the Guide to Fingerprinting in Arizona for an easy step by step guide with screenshots.
Step 2 - Official Transcripts
You must have a bachelor’s degree or higher to be eligible for a substitute certificate. You will send official transcripts to the state for verification, following the instruction below:
- Official Transcripts: Request that your university/college submit electronic official transcripts documenting a Bachelor’s or more advanced degree, directly to certification@azed.gov, or by mail to Arizona Department of Education – Certification Unit, P.O. Box 6490, Phoenix, AZ 85005.
- We are unable to accept uploaded transcripts or transcripts sent via email from the applicant as official.
- Foreign Transcripts: Request a course-by-course evaluation to be completed by an approved Foreign Credential Evaluation Agency to identify the equivalent degree in the United States. Request the Agency submit the evaluation directly to certification@azed.gov.
- We are unable to accept uploaded transcripts or transcripts sent via email from the applicant as official.
Step 3 - Online Application
The online application is quick and easy! Go to https://mycert.azed.gov/launch to begin.
You will see the initial screen below. Click the "I Agree" button to continue.
Next you will see the login screen. If you already have an account, you can click the button to log in (you can use the forgot password function if you have forgotten your login information). If you do not have an account, you can click the link to register a new account.
To register a new account, simply enter your information and click "Register."
You will receive an email with a verification link. The link will open a page to set your password.
Once your password is set, you will see a confirmation screen.
Once registered, or if you already have an account, log in.
The next screen is for Identity Verification. Enter your information and click continue.
Next you will need to enter your fingerprint card number. This is on the IVP card that is mailed to you from the state after you are fingerprinted.
If all your information is correct, you will see a success screen. Click the “Continue” button. If the system is not accepting your information, contact the state at (602) 542-4367.
This will take you to the Educator Portal Home Screen. Click the "+ Start Application" button on the right side of the screen.
Click on the "Start" button for Add Certificate.
On the dropdown menu, scroll down to select Substitute.
Select the Substitute, PreK-12 option on the left and click the “Next” button. (Note: The emergency substitute certificate is only issued at the request of a specific school. The regular substitute certificate allows you to work as a substitute across the state.)
Answer the additional questions and click the “Continue” button. If you cannot answer “Yes” to both these questions, you are not yet eligible for a substitute certificate.
Click the “Continue” button to answer the service questions.
Enter your degree information and click the "Continue" button at the bottom of the screen.
You should have already ordered official transcripts to be sent from your college/university. If the state has processed those records, or if you have submitted records in the past, you may see that information displayed at the top of the screen already, but you still need to complete the information fields.
You will see an Application Summary screen. Click the “Complete Application” button to submit your application to the state for review.
After you have submitted your application, the last thing that you need to do is pay the non-refundable $60 certificate fee to the state. Follow the directions for different payment options. You should receive a receipt electronically, and you should receive email correspondence from the state once your substitute certificate has been approved.
Please enter your substitute certificate information into your Senya account as soon as possible, and once verified by the Senya team, you will be eligible for more job opportunities in your area!
