Educator Endorsements

As you get started with the licensing process, there are two distinct components of which you need to be aware to keep you on track. You need both components to teach Career and Technical Education courses.

License
A license is an authorization issued by the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) that permits the holder to serve in a professional capacity in the public education system or an accredited private school. There are different ways to earn a Professional Educator License.

Educator Preparation Program
Professional Educator License. A license is issued to an individual who completes a university teacher preparation program. Contact the university teacher preparation program for more information.

Associate Educator License (AEL)
The AEL is for anyone who wants to become a Utah teacher and needs to use an alternate pathway to earn a Utah Professional Educator License. A potential educator must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university or have appropriate CTE expertise certification.

Endorsement
An endorsement is a specialty field or area earned through course work equivalent to at least an academic minor or through demonstrated competency. Endorsements are listed on the Professional Educator License indicating the specific qualification(s) of the holder.

For more information, contact:
April Painter
Education Specialist
CTE Endorsements
Phone: (801) 538-7750 | E-mail

Endorsement Applications

To be eligible for an educator license, you must first hold an endorsement. CTE endorsements can be attached to three license areas of concentration: Elementary, Secondary, and CTE (Google Docs). Please review the application to know which area the endorsement connects with.

To Apply

All Educator Endorsement Applications must be submitted digitally to https://usbelicensing.smapply.us. Tutorial available at https://ior.ad/994G.

  1. Download and complete the related CTE endorsement application.
  2. Create an account on the SMApply platform.
  3. Upload any supporting documents (certifications, portfolio links, etc).
  4. Send official transcripts (via Clearinghouse) to transcripts@schools.utah.gov.
  5. Save and upload the application pdf to the SMApply platform.

Please allow up to two weeks for the endorsement to be processed. Application status will be communicated through email updates.