District of Columbia Credential Guide
English as a Second Language Teacher Credential or Added Endorsement Requirements in District of Columbia
Issued by District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education.
DC distinguishes a primary ESL teacher credential from an ESL endorsement added to another primary teacher credential. Choose the application that matches your current status.
Official sources reviewed . Requirements can change, so confirm your route with the issuing agency before enrolling.
DC Added Endorsement
Start With an Active Standalone Teaching Credential
OSSE's added teaching endorsement route is for an educator who already holds an active primary standalone teaching credential. A school-service-provider or administrator credential alone does not open this route.
- Check that the primary OSSE teaching credential will remain valid for more than 60 days when you apply.
- Identify the required subject-content and pedagogy exam scores for the endorsement in OSSE's current application instructions.
- Submit the added-endorsement application and provide an updated FBI Identity History Summary if OSSE's clearance on file is no longer valid.
The added endorsement is valid for four years and renewable. If you do not yet hold a primary teaching credential, use OSSE's standard teacher-credential routes instead.
District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education, checked September 29, 2026: added teaching endorsements, credential types and primary teacher credential routes.
District of Columbia Requirements
Primary ESL Credential or Added Endorsement?
An added endorsement starts with another active OSSE teacher credential. The primary ESL route uses approved subject-area preparation.
Credential route
An added ESL endorsement requires an active primary standalone OSSE teacher credential in another subject. A primary ESL credential requires completion of an OSSE-approved subject-area preparation route.
Approved preparation
OSSE recognizes approved educator-preparation providers and subject-area programs for initial credential routes.
District of Columbia Requirements
Check Tests and Supervised Teaching by Route
The added-endorsement examination rules and initial standalone teaching experience answer different application questions.
Added-endorsement exams
OSSE's added-endorsement process generally requires the applicable subject-content and pedagogy examinations. Applicants should confirm the current ESL test selection before registering.
Initial teaching experience
An initial standalone credential includes supervised teaching experience through an approved preparation program.
District of Columbia Requirements
Track the Added-Endorsement Term
OSSE publishes a four-year validity period for added teacher endorsements.
Endorsement renewal
OSSE added teacher endorsements are valid for four years and renewable.