Alternative Route to Licensure
Alternative Route to Licensure
Alternative Route to Licensure
The Washoe County School District (WCSD) is an approved Alternative Route to Licensure (ARL) Program provider. WCSD's ARL program begins with a semester-long Pre-Service program consisting of 120 hours of unpaid internship, along with 120 hours of Boot Camp coursework. Upon successful completion, ARL candidates may begin applying for teaching positions in the WCSD. Once an ARL candidate is hired, they must enroll in a college and take courses for a Nevada teaching license. ARL candidates are responsible for all college tuition and fees. It can take up to three years to complete all licensure requirements.
There are several reasons ARL candidates choose WCSD's Pre-Service ARL Program:
- Our pre-service program is Free and includes classes on lesson planning, classroom management, assessment, and more.
- You will build relationships with teachers, students, families, and administrators.
- You will find out if you really like teaching!
Per Nevada Administrative Code, the minimum requirements for a candidate to apply for an ARL/conditional license are the following:
- Be accepted and enrolled into an ARL program by an Approved ARL Provider.
- Hold a bachelor's degree (or above) from a post-secondary institution that is regionally accredited.
The WCSD's Pre-Service ARL Program is available for the following high-need teaching areas:
- Elementary:
- Elementary Education,
- Early Childhood Education,
- Special Education (Autism, Early Childhood, Generalist, Hearing Impairment),
- Music
- Secondary:
- Mathematics
- Music
- Physical Education
- Science (Biological, Physical)
- Special Education (Autism, Generalist, Hearing Impairment)
- World Language (Chinese, French, German, Spanish)
Step 1 - Online Application
Access WCSD’s Online Application System and complete a Certified application.
If you do not currently possess some type of license issued by the Nevada Department of Education (i.e. substitute teaching license), please enter “ARL” in all the required fields on the "Licensing" page so that the system recognizes there is a record entered. Make sure you have two professional confidential references returned and upload your unofficial transcripts to the "Attachments" page.
Step 2 – Praxis Core, CBEST, or have taken the SAT/ACT exam within the last 10 years.
All WCSD Pre-Service ARL Program candidates must pass the Praxis Core or CBEST or have taken the SAT/ACT exam within the last 10 years. Upload the exam results to the "Attachments" page of your WCSD certified application.
Step 3 – Become a Guest Teacher (Substitute Teacher) in WCSD
- Apply for a substitute teaching license with the Nevada Department of Education
- When you have received your substitute license, do the following:
- Update your certified application in the licensure section: WCSD Certified Application
- Apply for the "Guest Teacher (Substitute Teacher)" position on our certified job opportunities section of our website
- Send an email to our sub office and ask to be a substitute teacher in the WCSD.
- It can take from 8 to 12 weeks to obtain a license from the Nevada Department of Education, so begin now!
Step 4 – Orientation, Internship & Boot Camp
- Orientation – Attend a mandatory Orientation before the semester begins with the ARL Coordinator.
- Internship – 120 hours of in-class observation and participation
- Boot Camp – 120 hours of professional development training
- Praxis Testing for Secondary Teachers – Secondary Teachers (Math, Science, Language, Physical Education and Music) must pass content-specific Praxis exams before they are allowed to go into our hiring pools and apply for positions
Step 6 – Lesson Observation
WCSD Pre-Service ARL Program candidates will teach a content lesson in their Lead Teacher's classroom and be observed by an administrator at their school site.
Step 7 - School Site Interviews and Hiring
WCSD Pre-Service ARL Program candidates may interview with school leaders for specific content area positions until hired.
Step 8 – Program Planning Meeting – Mentor Assigned
WCSD Pre-Service ARL Program candidates will meet with the WCSD’s Licensing Technician to complete a final review of transcripts, testing scores and to develop their ARL Program Plan - scheduling out the remaining license provisions and requirements to be completed during the course of the next three years.
Step 9 – Apply for Conditional License
Once a WCSD Pre-Service ARL Program candidate is hired, they will receive a certificate that allows them to apply for a conditional license for the State of Nevada. This license is good for three years and will have requirements and provisions that must be satisfied before the end of the three-year period.
Step 10 – Educational Program Coursework/Begin Teaching
WCSD's Pre-Service ARL Program candidates work in the classroom for up to three years while they complete the college coursework and testing provisions required to satisfy their conditional license. Once those requirements have been met, the candidate is issued a standard teaching credential license.
Upcoming WCSD Pre-Service ARL Program Information Sessions
If you are interested in learning about WCSD's Pre-Service ARL Program, please review the ARL Info Session below or contact Debbie Walter at DWalter@washoeschools.net for more information