Certification Cost and Budgeting l Washington DC

Carol Kumm

Apr 05, 2026

What You'll Pay for Certification

Preparing for certification costs is an important part of budgeting for your teaching program. Planning ahead can help you manage these expenses smoothly.

To start, consider setting aside funds for the maximum potential certification cost. If that isn't possible, save as much as you can to cover these expenses as they arise throughout your program.

Below, you'll find a breakdown of the certification costs specific to Washington DC.

Cost Breakdown: Elementary, English, Mathematics, Science
In Washington DC, students who pursue certification for programs in Elementary Education, English, Mathematics, and/or Science will do so through an online Colorado-based educator preparation program. After completing qualifying clinical experiences in Colorado and all program, testing, and certification requirements, they will be eligible to apply for a Washington DC teaching certificate as an out-of-state completer. Costs for the program are focused primarily on the Colorado-based program, and additional costs may occur as students apply for an out-of-state completer teaching certificate.

Cost Category	Amount	Who Pays This	Notes
Praxis Exams	$130-150 per attempt	All certification-seeking students. Varies by certification area. Find specifics here.	As you progress through your application, we will inform you of what exam(s) you may need to complete. You may not need any, depending on a variety of factors.
Background Check/Fingerprinting	$50-100	Varies by school and district. Check with yours for details.
License/Certificate Fees	$200-250	All certification-students	Typically, the initial licensure costs around $200 and the processing fee is around $50.
Additional Considerations	Varies	All certification-students	Licensure requirements for Washington DC.

Cost Breakdown: Special Education, Early Childhood Education, Social Studies

Cost Category	Amount	Who Pays This	Notes
Praxis Exams	$130-150 per attempt	All certification-seeking students. Varies by certification area. Find specifics here.	As you progress through your application, we will inform you of what exam(s) you may need to complete. You may not need any, depending on a variety of factors.
Background Check/Fingerprinting	$50-100	Varies by school and district. Check with yours for details.
License/Certificate Fees	$50	All certification-students	Typically, the initial licensure costs around $200 and the processing fee is around $50.
Additional Considerations	Varies	All certification-students

Receiving Assistance to Cover Costs

You may have options to help offset these expenses:

Waivers ETS, the company that administers the Praxis exam, provides fee waivers for some college students who meet eligibility criteria. Check with ETS directly to see if you qualify.

Vouchers Some states provide vouchers for specific required tests and distribute them through Relay. These are often offered on a first-come, first-served basis—so respond quickly if one is offered to you.

Financial Aid If you qualify, certification costs may be added to your financial aid package. Submitting your FAFSA early can help secure this assistance.

Being proactive about certification expenses can help ensure a financially manageable program experience.

Questions?

Reach out to us at [email protected].