Every teacher must possess a license to teach in Utah. The goal is for every teacher to have a standard Utah Professional License.

Most teachers hired by the district either already possess a Utah Professional License or are from university programs and are just finishing a Utah Professional License. In other cases, an individual may come from another state or country and have a license but need to obtain a Utah Professional License.

Sometimes, a school may want to hire an individual who doesn't have a license. When this happens, and if the individual meets certain requirements, the Utah State Board of Education can grant an Associate License as the individual completes the requirements for a Professional License. Earning a Utah Professional license requires an individual to either complete an Alternate Path to Professional Educator LIcense (APPEL) program or enter and complete a teacher preparation program at a regionally accredited college or university. In either case, an individual must apply for and obtain an Associate License while completing this process. 

Alternate Pathway to Professional Educator License (APPEL) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Associate Educator License Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

An LEA-Specific License is a temporary, short-term license granted by the Cache Board of Education while an individual is working toward obtaining an Associate License.

LEA-Specific Licenses are approved by the Cache Board of Education annually and renewed only in rare circumstances. They are only valid in our district.

An applicant must have a degree in the field and/or exceptional specialized occupational experience, training, or expertise related to the assignment.

The following are examples of when an LEA-Specific License may be granted:

• An out-of-state or internationally licensed educator iworking to complete Utah Licensing requirements
• An educator waiting for an associate or professional license
• A CTE teacher working on a skills certificate
• An educator with an expired Utah license working to renew their license
• An already licensed educator working on a new licensing area.
• An educator is waiting to begin an APPEL program or university licensure program

An Associate License is a temporary license granted by the Utah State Board of Education while an individual works on a Professional License. Associate Licenses are valid for three years. 

Please use the following documents to learn more about and apply for an Associate License:

Elementary AEL

Secondary AEL

A Professional License is a standard Utah license valid for five years. A professional license can be renewed. 

The typical path to a Utah Professional License is to complete a teacher preparation program as part of earning a bachelor's degree. 

If you have already earned a bachelor's degree, but not in a teacher preparation program, you can pursue a Professional License in one of two ways:

1. Apply for and obtain a teaching position at a school, obtain an Associate LIcense, and complete a district-based Alternative Pathway to Professional Educator License (APPEL) program or
2. Pursue a graduate route to a Professional License. Most university programs can be completed in one to two years and will be great preparation for a teaching position. 

There is an excellent state website to help you identify your situation and which license to apply for.  Please visit the Apply for a License website for more information. 

LEA-Specific - The LEA-Specific License is valid for one year. The Cache Board of Education will renew an LEA-Specific License in rare or special circumstances. In most cases, an educator should apply for an Associate License and move toward obtaining a Professional License.

LINK: LEA-Specific License Renewal

Associate LIcense - An Associate License is valid for three years. The Utah State Board of Education will renew an Associate license in special circumstances. Normally, an individual should obtain a Professional License after three years. 

LINK: Associate License Renewal

Professional License - A Professional License expires on June 30th of the license renewal year. Renewal of current licenses must be completed between January 1 and June 29th of the renewal year. 

LINK: USBE License Renewal

1. Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
2. Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Provo, Utah
3. Southern Utah University, Cedar City, Utah
4. University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
5. Utah State University, Logan, Utah\
6. Utah Tech University, St George, Utah
7. Utah Valley University, Orem, Utah
8. Weber State University, Ogden, Utah
9. Western Governors University, Salt Lake City, Utah
10. Westminster University, Salt Lake City, Utah

Endorsements attach to a license area of concentration. Content endorsements may attach to Elementary Education and Secondary Education. If attached to Elementary Education, the educator is qualified to teach 7th and 8th grade in a middle school. To be eligible for an endorsement, an individual must already have a current Utah Educator License.

There are two documents associated with most endorsements:  the application and the specs document. The specs document outlines all competencies and pathways for demonstrating competency.  The application document is what educators submit that indicates which option was selected for each competency area.  The requirements for an Associate level. endorsement are found on the specs document.

Applying for an Endorsement