Teaching License from Michigan to Arizona: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Usually, with conditions — Arizona issues its own teaching certificate to a holder of a comparable Michigan teaching certificate, usually without its tests. It is not an automatic exchange: apply to the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) — Certification Unit and meet any condition it sets for your credential.
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Coming from Michigan, Arizona is a comparatively smooth move — but "reciprocity" still means applying to Arizona for its own credential, not carrying your Michigan license across. Arizona issues its own certificate to a teacher holding a comparable Michigan certificate, usually without its tests; a credential it does not treat as comparable takes a different route. The requirements below are what Arizona still asks.
What changes, Michigan → Arizona
| Michigan (current) | Arizona (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $210 ($210 out-of-state evaluation fee for the Standard or Professional Teaching Certificate (the in-state fee for the same certificates is $160); an additional endorsement is $50. Fees are authorized by MCL 380.1538, are valid two years from the date of payment, and are not refunded for denied applications) | $60 ($60 per certificate, endorsement, or approved area; non-refundable per Board rule) |
| Processing time | MDE publishes no processing timeframe; an assigned certification specialist evaluates the credential and issues an evaluation letter identifying any remaining tests or coursework before certification | Not stated on the ADE reciprocity page |
| Licensing authority | Michigan Department of Education (MDE) — Office of Educator Excellence (Educator Certification) | Arizona Department of Education (ADE) — Certification Unit |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Arizona sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Arizona's current requirements on the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) — Certification Unit website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) — Certification Unit (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Hold a valid, comparable out-of-state educator certificate in good standing (comparable to an Arizona Standard certificate; out-of-state Emergency or Alternative certificates are not accepted).
- Provide a valid Arizona DPS Identity Verified Prints (IVP) fingerprint clearance card.
- Submit official transcripts (or a foreign credential evaluation).
- Complete U.S. Constitution and Arizona Constitution coursework — allowable deficiencies to finish within 1 or 3 years depending on certificate area, or the certificate is placed on non-disciplinary suspension until met.
- Pay the fees ($60 ($60 per certificate, endorsement, or approved area; non-refundable per Board rule)). Processing time: Not stated on the ADE reciprocity page.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Arizona accept a Michigan teaching license?
Usually, with conditions — Arizona issues its own teaching certificate to a holder of a comparable Michigan teaching certificate, usually without its tests. It is not an automatic exchange: apply to the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) — Certification Unit and meet any condition it sets for your credential.
Will I have to retake tests moving from Michigan to Arizona?
Applicants who qualify under Arizona's Certification Reciprocity Rules are exempt from Arizona educator exam requirements — the ADE page states 'Exams or work experience are not required under reciprocity rules'; a valid, comparable out-of-state certificate (or National Board certificate) is accepted in lieu of Arizona testing.
Can I teach in Arizona right away?
Yes, once the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) — Certification Unit issues your Arizona certificate; for a comparable certificate it usually comes without Arizona's tests. Build its processing time into your start date.
What does the Michigan-to-Arizona transfer cost and how long does it take?
$60 ($60 per certificate, endorsement, or approved area; non-refundable per Board rule). Processing time: Not stated on the ADE reciprocity page.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-08-07.
- Arizona Department of Education — Reciprocity Requirements (Out-of-State Certification) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- MDE — Out-of-State Applicants (Standard, Professional, and Temporary Teaching Certificates; MTTC testing; three-year experience exemption; reading methods coursework) [michigan.gov intermittently blocks automated clients; read via the Internet Archive capture of 2026-08-03] ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- MDE — Certificate Evaluation Fees (out-of-state fee table: $210 Standard and Professional Teaching Certificate, $160 in-state, $50 additional endorsement; fees valid two years) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-08-07
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