Apply for an Educator License

Overview

Use the categories below to identify the application or review process that matches your current situation and goals.

If your situation matches this.... ...this is your application path
You hold an educator license from another U.S. state or another country. License Equivalency Review (LER)
You want a temporary, entry-level license to secure a teaching job while you complete a preparation program. Associate Educator License (AEL)
You hold a teaching license from a state participating in the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact. License Equivalency Review (LER)
You are currently enrolled in a Utah-based teacher preparation program. Associate Educator License (AEL)
You hold a bachelor's degree (or higher) in education from another country. License Equivalency Review (LER)
You are a Nationally Certified School Psychologist holding the NASP-NCSP credential. License Equivalency Review (LER)
.You are currently enrolled in an educator preparation program in another U.S. state Associate Educator License (AEL)
You hold a CSW or LCSW license through the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL). Associate Educator License (AEL)
You completed a teacher preparation program at a Utah university. University Recommends
You completed a district- or charter-led APPEL or APPEL-SpEd program APPEL Recommends
You have an active Utah educator license and want to add an entirely new license area (e.g., adding Special Education to an Elementary license). Associate Educator License (AEL)
You hold a professional teaching license and want to add a Secondary Education license area based on a qualifying content area or CTE endorsement. LER Upgrade to Professional
You hold a Utah Associate License (AEL) in School Counseling from an out-of-state path and have now finished your College & Career Readiness (CCR) endorsement. LER Upgrade to Professional
You hold a Utah Associate License (AEL) based on an out-of-state program, and you have now completed both your program and your home state's license requirements. LER Upgrade to Professional
You have completed all of the School Social Worker Alternate Route coursework. SSW Alternate
You are completing a preparation program and need to know which exams apply to your license area. Licensing Tests
You completed a content area assessment and want to add an endorsement to your license. Licensing Tests

 

License Equivalency Review (LER) Application

If you have a completed a bachelor's degree, an educator preparation program, and hold a standard renewable educator license from another state or country, please use the License Equivalency Review Application Guide to prepare and submit your application.

International Educators

You may need to provide verification of at least one year of teaching experience to qualify for a Utah educator license. For answers to common questions about this process, please review the International Licenses Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

International Transcripts & Licenses

If you hold a degree or teaching license from another country, you must have your documents evaluated by an approved credential evaluation company before applying. You must request a course-by-course equivalency and degree evaluation, which must include a certified English translation. Your evaluation must come from a member organization of one of the following two national associations:

💡 Discount for Utah Educators: > You can use My International Education Evaluation (MyIEE), an approved provider that offers Utah educators a $20 discount and expedited 3-day processing.

Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact

Utah participates in the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact. This agreement makes it faster and easier for teachers to transfer their professional licenses between participating states without facing traditional delays or roadblocks. You can view the full list of participating states on the Compact Map.

Who Qualifies?

    • Eligible: You must hold a standard renewable Professional Educator License.
    • Not Eligible: Temporary or alternative credentials do not qualify for this program. This includes probationary, provisional, substitute, LEA-Specific, or associate licenses.

Moving From a Member State to Utah

If you hold a professional teaching license from another compact member state, Utah will grant you an equivalent Utah license.

Forms

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

Ready to Apply?

All applications must be submitted electronically through the SM Apply portal.

Need Help?

Associate Educator License (AEL) Application

The Associate Educator License (AEL) is for individuals who want to teach in Utah but have not yet 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

Application Guides

The following Google Docs provide a step-by-step checklist for obtaining an AEL in each license area.  Please note all applications that include Physical Education (PE) must include a copy of your current CPR certification from an approved provider (such as the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, National Safety Council, or Emergency Care and Safety Institute).

University Program Verification

If you are currently enrolled in a university teacher-preparation program to earn your bachelor's degree or special education licensure, your university must provide an official letter of enrollment so you can receive your Associate Educator License (AEL).

The letter from your university must verify the following three pieces of information:

  • Institution Information: The name and details of your college or university.
  • Enrollment Information: Your specific program and coursework details.
  • Enrollment Status: Confirmation that you are currently in good standing.

Download and use the provided Teacher Letter Template to ensure your university includes all required details.

Ready to Apply?

All applications must be submitted electronically through the SM Apply portal.

Need Help?

Utah University Recommendations

Did you finish a teacher training degree program at a Utah college or university? When your school submits your official recommendation, you can get your Utah Professional Educator License!

Follow the steps below to complete your setup and receive your license.

Step 1: Create Your Educator Record 

If you do not have an account yet, create one in USIMS (Utah Schools Information Management System — the website where Utah keeps educator licensing records).

  1. Go to usims.schools.utah.gov.
  2. Select Sign Up using a personal email address.
  3. Open your confirmation email and enter your verification code.

Step 2: Complete Your USIMS Checklist Items

Log in to USIMS and finish all required checklist items:

  • Privacy Policy: Accept the Educator Privacy Policy Statement.
  • Licensing Status: Confirm your licensing issues status.
  • Educator Lookup: Complete the Educator Information Lookup with your date of birth and Social Security number.
  • Personal Info: Enter your personal information and find your CACTUS ID in parentheses beside your name.
    • When asked, "Are you currently enrolled in a Utah Teacher Education Program?", select Yes.
    • Choose your Utah college or university from the drop-down menu to connect your account so your university can post your recommendation.
  • Ethics Review: Complete the Educator Ethics Review. You must finish the Educator Ethics Review within the12 months before your recommendation.

Step 3: Pass Your Background Check

Pass a Utah State Board of Education (USBE) background check (a review of your records to make sure you can safely work in schools). Request your check in USIMS and complete your fingerprinting.

  • If you live in Utah: Schedule an appointment at a local Utah Educator LiveScan site. Results usually take 15 to 20 business days.
  • If you live outside of Utah: Get a standard FBI fingerprint card (Form FD-258) from a local agency. Write your Social Security Number and CACTUS ID on the card and mail it to USBE. Results usually take 20 to 25 business days.

Step 4: Confirm and Print Your License

Once your Utah university posts your recommendation, it will appear in your USIMS account.

  1. Log into USIMS and confirm your license recommendation.
  2. Complete this confirmation step within 30 days of your university's recommendation.
  3. Print an official digital copy of your new teaching license under the Print/View License menu!

Warning: Do not wait to confirm your license. If you wait too long, your recommendation could expire, and you may have to take extra classes or certifications.

Need Help?

If you see an error on your license type, subject area, or endorsement (a badge showing a special skill or subject you are qualified to teach), contact your recommending college or university right away.

APPEL Recommendations 

Did you complete an APPEL, APPEL-SpEd, or USBE SLT Institute program? If your program director sent us an official recommendation, you are ready to apply for your Utah Professional Educator License!

Follow the steps below to get your license.

What Your Program Director Does

Your Program Director must email your official recommendation to the Educator Licensing team at APPEL@schools.utah.gov. They will also send a copy of that recommendation to you.

What You Need to Do

Note: Do you already have a Utah Educator License and are adding a license area? You may be able to skip Steps 1, 2, and 3. 

Step 1: Create Your Utah Educator Record

Create an account in USIMS (Utah Schools Information Management System — the online website where Utah keeps educator licensing information):

  1. Go to usims.schools.utah.gov.
  2. Select Sign Up using a personal email address.
  3. Open your confirmation email and verify your account.
  4. Get your CACTUS / Educator ID (your official Utah educator identification number) after registration.

Step 2: Complete Your USIMS Checklist Items

Log in to USIMS and finish all required checklist items:

  • Privacy Policy: Accept the Educator Privacy Policy Statement.
  • Licensing Status: Confirm your licensing issues status.
  • Educator Lookup: Complete the Educator Information Lookup with your date of birth and Social Security number.
  • Personal Info: Enter your personal information.
  • Ethics Review: Complete the Educator Ethics Review. You must finish the Educator Ethics Review within the12 months before your recommendation.

Step 3: Pass a Background Check

Pass a Utah State Board of Education (USBE) background check. Request your background check in USIMS and complete your fingerprinting.

Step 4: Check and Send Your Transcripts

Make sure all your college degrees are attached to your record:

  • First, email licensing@schools.utah.gov to ask if all of your degrees are posted to your license.
  • If a required degree is not posted, ask your college to send your official transcripts (your official school grade records) or transcript evaluation directly to USBE.

Step 5: Submit Your Online Application

  1. Log into SM Apply and choose the "Professional License (APPEL, APPEL-SpEd, SLT Institute Recommendation)" application.
  2. Enter your APPEL Director's email address.
  3. Fill out, sign, and submit your application.

Step 6: Wait for Official News

When you meet all requirements, the Educator Licensing team will grant your license.

  • If approved: You will get a message from SM Apply telling you your license was awarded. You can print a copy of your license anytime in USIMS under the "Print/View License" menu.
  • If something is missing: You will get an email through SM Apply asking for more information or action.

LER Upgrade to Professional Application

Use this application to upgrade your Associate Educator License (AEL) if it was granted based on:

  • A standard out-of-state educator license (current or expired).
  • An international educator license.
  • Enrollment in an out-of-state preparation program and you completed your program and have been awarded a license in the other state.

You can also use this application to:

  • Add the College and Career Readiness (CCR) endorsement to your existing School Counselor License.
  • Add a Secondary license area if you have a qualifying teaching license area and professional content area or CTE endorsement.

Ready to Apply?

All applications must be submitted electronically through the SM Apply portal.

School Social Worker Alternate Route

This application is for individuals who want to earn a Utah Professional Educator License in School Social Work and meet both of the following requirements:

  • Professional Licensing: You hold an active Certified Social Work (CSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license through the Utah Department of Professional Licensing (DOPL).
  • Coursework: You have fully completed the Alternative Route to Licensure coursework, including the required microcredentials and UMTSS courses.

Note: For a detailed, step-by-step breakdown of the registration process and document requirements, please refer to School Social Worker - Alternate Route to the Professional Educator License.

Ready to Apply?

All applications must be submitted electronically through the SM Apply portal.

Licensing Tests 

The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) has approved several tests that can be used to meet some licensure requirements. Visit the Educator Tests page for more information.

Note: Not all license areas require an exam to meet professional licensing requirements. 

Teachers Completing a Utah-Based Program

If you are completing your educator preparation program within Utah, including APPEL, you must take and pass all assessments required by the state.

Teachers Completing an Out-of-State Program

If you are completing your preparation program through an institution in another state, Utah testing rules do not apply to you. Instead, you must meet the state testing requirements where your program is based.

  • State Discrepancies: If Utah requires a test that your program's state does not, you do not need to take the Utah test. Conversely, if your program's state requires a test that Utah does not, you must pass that state's test to satisfy licensing requirements.

Optional Assessments

In some cases, you may use educator tests to demonstrate minimum content competency when applying for a license area or an endorsement. For a complete breakdown of accepted assessments, see these the Utah State Licensure Test Options page, the Out-of-State Testing Equivalency (Google docs), or content area specifications (Specs) at the Educator Endorsements page.