Apply for an Educator License

License Equivalency Review (LER) Application

If you have a standard renewable educator license from another state or country and would like to apply for a Utah Educator License, please read the following step by step instructions to prepare your License Equivalency Review (LER) application for submission to Utah State Board of Education.

Please use the License Equivalency Review Checklist (Google Docs) to prepare and submit your application.

LER Upgrade to Professional Application

If you were awarded an Associate Educator License (AEL) based on your out-of-state, international, or occupational license, use this application pathway in SM Apply to submit additional documentation demonstrating you have completed the requirements to upgrade to the Professional Educator License.  Complete the LER Upgrade to Professional Application in SM Apply.

Forms

Verification of Educator Experience Complete this form if you have experience as an educator in another state or country.

Application Submission

All applications must be submitted electronically through SM Apply.  Click the link to create an account.  Please refer to the SM Apply Tutorials (Google Docs) to access videos to assist with navigating the application website.

For questions about LER, please contact us at LER@schools.utah.gov or visit Frequently Asked Questions (Google Docs). 

Associate Educator License (AEL) Application

The Associate Educator License (AEL) is for individuals who want to teach in Utah but have not completed an educator preparation program (EPP), either through a university or an alternate pathway.

The AEL:

• Is valid for 3 years
• Cannot be renewed
• Cannot be transferred to other states

The AEL is intended for:

• Individuals who plan to enroll in a university-based or alternative pathway EPP
• Individuals hired to teach in a Utah school who are already enrolled in an EPP
• Individuals who hold a current Utah Professional Educator License and want to add a new license area

Requirements

To qualify for an AEL, you must:

• Complete a background check
• Complete an educator ethics review
• Submit an online application
• Show minimum competency in at least one content area

Application Guides

The following Google Docs provide a step-by-step checklist of requirements for obtaining an AEL in specific license areas of concentration.  Please note all applications that include Physical Education (PE) must include a copy of your current CPR certification.

• Career and Technical Education (Grades 6-12) AEL Checklist
• Deaf Education AEL Checklist
• Early Childhood (PK-3) AEL Checklist
• Elementary (K-8) AEL Checklist
  • -- Elementary Education Content Competencies Form
• Preschool Special Education (Birth-Age 5) AEL Checklist 
• School Counselor AEL Checklist
• School Leadership AEL Checklist
• Secondary (6-12) AEL Checklist
• Special Education (K-12+) AEL Checklist
• Speech Language Technician (SLT) AEL Checklist
• School Psychologist AEL Checklist
• School Social Worker (SSW) AEL Checklist

Application Submission

All applications must be submitted electronically through SM Apply.  Click the link to create an account.  Please refer to the SM Apply Tutorials (Google Docs) to access videos to assist with navigating the application website.

University Program Information

University programs must provide a letter of enrollment for certain candidates to receive an AEL.  The letter must verify the following information: institution information, enrollment information, and enrollment status.  Please see individual license area checklists for more specific information. The teacher letter template is provided for your convenience.

For questions about the AEL, please contact us at ael@schools.utah.gov or visit Frequently Asked Questions (Google Docs). 

University Recommends

Utah University Recommendation

The information below is for individuals who have completed an education preparation degree program through a Utah college/university and are ready to apply for a Professional Utah Educator License. Please read the following step-by-step instructions to obtain your standard Professional Utah Educator License.

Instructions

Utah Schools Information Management System (USIMS)

For initial license recommendations only.

Step 1:  Successfully complete a Utah State Board of Education (USBE) Background Check in USIMS.

• Choose the Initial Licensing option.
• Complete the online account registration including your social security number and your date of birth to initiate the background check.
• Utah requires completion of the background check that includes fingerprinting.

Fingerprinting for Applicants Physically Located in Utah
Create an account in USIMS. Follow prompts and complete Educator Ethics Review and Background Check. View the Fingerprint Directions provided. No cards will be mailed to you; please read directions. Schedule an appointment at one of the local Utah Educator LiveScan Fingerprint Sites. Results take approximately 15-20 business days from the date the prints are taken.

Fingerprinting for Applicants Located Outside of Utah

• • No cards will be mailed to you.

Schedule an appointment at any local agency that performs background checks and obtain a standard-issued Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) fingerprint card(s) (FD-258)

• • Please be sure to include your full Social Security Number, signature and enter your Comprehensive Administration of Credentials for Teachers in Utah Schools (CACTUS) Identification Number in the Originating Case Agency (OCA) Box on your card.

Mail the completed card and signed Utah State Board of Education, Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification, and Federal Bureau of Investigation Informed Consent and Release of Liability to:

Utah State Board of Education Educator Licensing
PO Box 144200
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200

Results clear in approximately 20-25 business days from the date the cards are received by USBE. Comprehensive Administration of Credentials for Teachers in Utah Schools (CACTUS) Identification numbers are created for individuals when initiating their first USBE Background Check.

To Retrieve Your CACTUS Identification Number

Go to USIMS and click on License Information to retrieve your CACTUS Identification Number.

Step 2:  Complete a Utah Educator Ethics Review in USIMS Within 12 Months of Being Recommended for a Utah Educator License.

• Complete the 30-minute activity (it is a timed activity and should take no longer than 35 minutes) in USIMS. The activity completion date will be posted to your CACTUS profile within 1 hour.

Step 3:  Complete the University Recommendation Step in USIMS to Confirm the License and Print an Official Digital Copy of the License.

• Your Utah University will post your University Recommendation in CACTUS profile and it will appear in your USIMS account.
• It is recommended that the confirmation step be completed within 30 days of the university’s recommendation.
• Delays in completing the final process could result in an expiration of the recommendation which could require addition coursework or certification through the university and USBE before this can be re-recommended.
• For any questions or to report errors regarding the License Type, License Area or Endorsements, please contact the recommending university.

APPEL Recommends

The information below is for individuals who have completed an Alternate Pathway to Professional Educator License (APPEL), APPEL-SpEd, or USBE SLT Institute program.  If your education preparation program has submitted a recommendation to Educator Licensing, you are ready to apply for a Utah Professional Educator License. Please read the following step-by-step instructions to obtain your standard Utah Professional Educator License.

APPEL, APPEL-SpEd, SLT Institute Instructions

Program Director submits the official recommendation to the Educator Licensing team at APPEL@schools.utah.gov.  Program provides a copy of that recommendation to the educator.

Educator Instructions

After your program, APPEL, APPEL-SpEd, USBE SLT Institute, submits the official recommendation to the Educator Licensing team, complete the steps below.  If you already have a Utah Professional Educator License and are only adding a license area, you may skip steps 1 and 2.  For example, you already have a Professional license in Special Education and have completed an APPEL program for Elementary.

Step 1:  Successfully complete a Utah State Board of Education (USBE) Background Check

Step 2:  Complete the Educator Ethics Review in USIMS

Step 3:  Submit Digital Application in SM Apply

• Watch How to Apply for a Professional Educator License (APPEL, APPEL-SpEd, SLT Institute Recommendation) tutorial video
• Choose the "Professional License (APPEL, APPEL-SpEd, SLT Institute Recommendation)" Application
• Attach a copy of the recommendation document provided to you by your APPEL program
• Provide the email address of your APPEL Director
• Complete and sign the application
• Submit the application

Step 4:  Wait for Official Notification

When all license requirements are met, the Educator Licensing team will grant your Utah Professional Educator License.  You will receive a notification from SM Apply stating the license has been awarded.  If there is anything missing, you will get an email through the SM Apply system requesting additional documentation or action.  You may print a copy of your Utah Professional Educator License in USIMS; it is available in the "Print/View License" drop-down menu.

International Educators

In the 2023 General Session of the Utah Legislature, SB 35 Reciprocal Licensing Amendments passed and became law.  This law allows any educator from another country that has at least one year of experience to be granted a Utah Professional Educator License. You will need to complete the License Equivalency Review (LER) Application. Please use the License Equivalency Review (LER) License Application Checklist (Google Docs) to prepare and submit your application.

International Transcripts & Licenses

Foreign transcripts and licenses must be evaluated for United States equivalency by an approved company. Be sure to obtain a course by-course equivalency and degree evaluation with translation. For a list of acceptable companies who provide this service go to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE).  My International Education Evaluation (MyIEE) offers a $20 discount to Utah educators with expedited service.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The International Licenses Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) answer most common questions for individuals with a license in another country seeking a Utah license.

Forms

Verification of Educator Experience Complete this form to verify your experience as an educator in another state or country.

Educator Tests

The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) approves several tests that meet licensure requirements. Some tests are required. Others can be used to show competency. For details, see the Utah State Licensure Test Requirements.

If you ask Educational Testing Service (ETS) to send your scores when you register, ETS will send them to USBE. USBE will upload your scores within 15 business days after ETS releases them. 

If your scores do not appear, do not pay to resend them. Instead:

• Forward your ETS score email to licensing@schools.utah.gov
• Include your CACTUS ID number

USBE will post your scores manually.

If you request score reporting through Pearson, the state will receive your results in a data file. USBE can access a secure system to view and report those scores.

Foundations of Reading

Teacher candidates in Utah preparation programs for early childhood, elementary, and special education must pass the Foundations of Reading test before receiving a professional license.

If you are enrolled in a Utah Educator Preparation Program (EPP), your program will give you a test voucher. Enter the voucher when you register. Vouchers cannot be added after registration. Contact your faculty advisor if you have questions before you register.

To receive a Utah professional license in early childhood, elementary, or special education, you must pass the Utah Foundations of Reading Assessment (UFORA).

• If you apply for licensure on or after September 1, 2024, you must score 240 or higher.
• If you do not score 240 or higher on your first attempt, you may qualify using one of the UFORA Assessment Options (Google Doc).

Utah Foundations of Reading
Pearson Education, Inc.

Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact

Professional License Portability

Effective April 1, 2024, Utah will be participating as one of the inaugural 10 states in the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact.  The Council of State Governments (GCS) in partnership with other nationally recognized agencies have established licensing reciprocity among participating states.  This compact is intended to increase the portability of a professional license to other Member States while reducing the obstacles and approval time associated with transferring or qualifying for a professional license.  Temporary credential license types such as probationary, provisional, substitute, LEA-Specific or associate license types do not qualify.  To see the map of participating states, please click the Compact Map.

Utah License Holders in Member States

Utah educators holding a professional level license may apply to other Member States and qualify for a license in that state with a completed background check compliant with that state’s regulations and evidence of their Utah Professional Educator License.

Member States’ Educators Coming to Utah

Educators outside of Utah wishing to apply for a Utah license from another Member State may apply through License Equivalency Review (LER) in SM Apply.  Please see the LER Checklist (Google Docs) for details on completing that application.

A professional license(s) will be granted for the equivalent license type(s) available in Utah.  All professional licenses have a 5-year renewal cycle.  Educators will be required to complete Utah’s renewal requirements every 5 years to maintain the license status.