Alternative Routes to Licensure
Licensing Process
Applications for Alternative Routes to Licensure are taken between
March 1 and July 31 only.
STEP 1 - To be completed PRIOR to submitting an application.
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Before applying to Alternative Routes to licensure, complete a criminal background check through the Utah State Office of Education.
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To begin the background check process, first go to www.utah.gov/teachers and find the background check link. Complete the authorization process and pay fees online. Then print and take the authorization form to a Livescan center listed on the authorization form. Request that the background check be coded and sent to the Utah State Office of Education. Background checks processed through the Livescan system are generally cleared between two to ten working days. You cannot apply to Alternative Routes to Licensure until your background check has been completed, and you cannot receive a letter of eligibility until the background check has cleared. If you pay for an authorization form and fail to take it to a Livescan Center for fingerprinting, your application can not be processed.
- You will NOT be notified that your background check has cleared. If you have no criminal history, simply apply to ARL after you have completed the digital Livescan background check.
STEP 2 - To be completed AFTER the background check has been processed through Livescan.
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Complete the APPLICATION form (PDF Document) on this website. Do not apply until your background check has been completed through Livescan (See Step 1 for background check instructions).
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Obtain original transcript (s) documenting your Bachelor’s degree, degree major, and date conferred.
Alternative Routes to Licensure staff does not accept photocopies or downloads. -
Make a check (or money order) payable to Utah State Office of Education for the $50 evaluation fee. This evaluation fee is non-refundable.
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Put all three items in ONE envelope and mail to Alternative Routes to Licensure, Utah State Office of Education, 250 East 500 South, P.O. Box 144200, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4200. Incomplete applications will be returned.
Following an evaluation of your application, transcript, and clearance of your background check, you will receive a letter from ARL informing you whether or not you qualify and are eligible to be hired and to participate in the Alternative Routes to Licensure Program.
STEP 3 - To be completed only after a candidate has been hired in a full or half time licensed position (Half time is a minimum of 15 hrs. per week).
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Inform Alternative Routes to Licensure if you are hired in a licensed position.
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ARL will send you a Confirmation of Employment form. Complete the form and obtain signatures from the school principal and human resource director.
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Mail the Confirmation of Employment form to Alternative Routes to Licensure with the required $300 program development and tracking fee.
As soon as Alternative Routes to Licensure receives your completed Confirmation of Employment form with the required program development and tracking fee, a Professional Growth Plan will be developed for you. The Professional Growth Plan includes the Praxis II Content Knowledge test(s), endorsement courses, and teacher preparation (pedagogy) courses and is based upon an analysis of your university transcript(s).
Participate in a Professional Growth Plan Conference
Determine the licensing route to be taken . Generally, there are two routes available:
For Licensing by Agreement (Coursework) - The ARL advisor will review transcripts and create a Professional Growth Plan of content and pedagogical knowledge that demonstrates the candidate’s adequate preparation and readiness to be a licensed Utah educator.
For Licensing by Competency (Tests) - The ARL Advisor will identify Board-approved competency based tests (if available) that will demonstrate the candidate’s adequate preparation to be a licensed Utah educator. This route is available only in select teaching areas. See Possible Routes page.
STEP 4 - To be completed only after the candidate has been hired in a full time or half-time licensed position.
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When your Professional Growth Plan has been developed, the ARL secretary will call you to set an appointment. A Professional Growth Plan appointment can be conducted in person at the Utah State Office of Education, or if distance is a problem, over the telephone.
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During the Professional Growth Plan Conference, the ARL Advisor will explain the participant’s individual plan for completing licensure requirements.
Make Progress Annually Toward Licensure
STEP 5 - To be completed only after the candidate has been hired in a full time or half time licensed position.
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Take required Praxis II Content Area Tests.
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Take courses listed on the Professional Growth Plan each year.
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Work with a trained mentor assigned by the principal.
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Successfully complete two observations of your classroom teaching skills by the principal during first year.
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Teach for a minimum of one year after acceptance into the program and a maximum of three years. Participants can be licensed after one year, only if all courses and test(s) have been completed. Diligent
participants usually complete the program between eighteen months to two years.
Complete the Professional Growth Plan and Obtain a Level 1 Utah Professional Educator License (You must be teaching in a licensed position at the time a license is issued)
STEP 6
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Complete all requirements listed on your Professional Growth Plan.
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Receive a recommendation for licensure from your principal.
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Complete an Educator License Application.
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Make a check (or money order) for $ 70 payable to Utah State Office of Education for the licensing fee.
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Obtain Level I Utah Professional Educator License.
Current Alternative Routes to Licensure Program Fees
(Subject to Change)
Application/Evaluation Fee
$50.00
Background/Fingerprint Fee
$69.00
Program Development & Tracking Fee
$300.00
Licensing Fee
$70.00
ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE
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