Teacher Licensure Requirements by State
| State | State Licensure/Certification Minimum Qualifications | Student Requirements to meet Minimum Qualifications For Licensure/Certification of State | Contact Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Individuals applying on the basis of certificate reciprocity must submit a valid professional educator certificate issued by another state, the District of Columbia, a U.S. Territory, or the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA). Applicants must also meet background clearance, test, and any experiential requirements. | Eligible with Application | |
| Alaska | To qualify for an Initial/Out-of-State teacher certificate, an applicant must meet the following requirements: 1. Has never held an Alaska teacher certificate 2. Holds a current, valid out-of-state teacher certificate (out-of-country certificate will not be accepted), that will be current and valid at the time the applicant’s contract for instructional services begins in an Alaska public school district. |
Eligible with Application | |
| American Samoa | No Information available | Under review - Contact Office of Teaching & Learning | (801) 863-8255 | |
| Arizona |
The following documents should be submitted to apply under Certification Reciprocity: 1. An Application for Certification |
Eligible with Application | |
| Arkansas | Reciprocity means the recognition of a teaching license from another state or country based on the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) licensure rules and/or the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement for Educator Licensure. Request a Reciprocity packet from ADE by emailing ade.educatorlicensure@arkansas.gov (Please include a name and mailing address where you would like to receive the packet). | Eligible with Application | |
| California |
To qualify for this credential based on out-of-state preparation, you must submit the following minimum requirements: 1. Application Form and processing fee. |
Eligible with Application | |
| Colorado | Colorado issues licenses/endorsements if you have a valid teacher license (not substitute, temporary, emergency, provisional or probationary) issued by another state that carries an identical endorsement to one issued by Colorado, meet the degree requirement for that endorsement AND have three years of full-time licensed teaching experience in that state within the past seven years, Colorado will issue a professional license with the identical endorsement requested. Application required. | Eligible with Application | |
| Connecticut |
Connecticut certification is usually based on completion of a state-approved educator preparation program. To obtain Connecticut educator certification based on program preparation, educators must: Successfully complete a state-approved planned program of general academic and professional education at a regionally accredited college or university and earn formal institutional recommendation for certification; and |
Eligible with Application | |
| Delaware | The Delaware Department of Education may issue an Initial License to an applicant who meets current Delaware reciprocity provisions and who also is currently licensed as an educator in another jurisdiction with less than four years of successful credentialed teaching experience. | Eligible with Application | |
| District of Columbia |
Applicants must meet the following requirements to be eligible for a standard credential based upon this option: 1. Holds a completed bachelor’s degree |
Eligible with Application | |
| Florida |
Florida has two reciprocity routes for certified teachers and administrators to qualify for our Professional Certificate. Route 1: Valid Standard Certificate Issued by a State Other than Florida The certificate shall be the valid standard educator's certificate issued by that state which is comparable to a Florida Professional Certificate, and Route 2: Certificate Issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). The NBPTS certificate must be currently valid. The Florida certificate will reflect the Florida subject considered comparable to the NBPTS subject. |
Eligible with Application | |
| Georgia | If your out-of-state certificate meets certain requirements, it is possible to get a Georgia certificate based on interstate reciprocity. In order to qualify, you must hold a valid or expired certificate in a field that is comparable to one of Georgia’s certificate fields. The certificate must also meet the following conditions: Issued by another U.S. state, the District of Columbia, or other qualifying jurisdiction such as the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA). Is a professional certificate based on completion of a state-approved educator preparation program. It is important to note that reciprocity does not mean that an out-of-state educator will automatically qualify for a Georgia certificate. Like most other states, Georgia imposes specific state requirements on all educators, including those already certified out-of-state. |
Eligible with Application | |
| Guam | No Information Available | Under review - Contact Office of Teaching & Learning | 801-863-8255 | |
| Hawaii | The Provisional License is a NASDTEC Stage 2 License. For teachers who have completed a preparation program and have less than three years of full time teaching experience. | Eligible with Application | |
| Idaho |
Application for individuals who are from out-of-state who: 1. Completed and signed application |
Eligible with Application | |
| Illinois | Illinois offers full reciprocity. At the time of the initial evaluation for an Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL), educators will be considered for all areas listed on his or her valid, comparable out of state license. | Eligible with Application | |
| Indiana |
Indiana’s process for applying reciprocity to out-of-state license: If you hold a valid out-of-state license and have completed an NCATE/CAEP accredited or state approved teacher preparation program in another state and want to obtain an Indiana teaching license, or if you are from another state and do not hold a teaching license but would like to obtain an Indiana teaching license, there are licensure paths available for you. Please note, however, that Indiana requires an applicant to pass a content (subject matter) licensure test in every content area that will appear on the Indiana license issued. |
Eligible with Application | |
| Iowa | Regional Exchange Teaching License - Out of State Applicants Requirements - Completion of a full state-approved teacher preparation program for college semester hour credits from a regionally-accredited institution outside Iowa, and coursework deficiencies were identified after a BoEE transcript review. Applicants who have completed non-traditional programs should contact our office before applying to determine eligibility. |
Eligible with Application | |
| Kansas | Requirements for a Kansas Teaching License: 1. Bachelors degree - awarded by a regionally accredited institution 2. Teacher preparation program successfully completed 3. Valid out-of-state teaching license 4. Fingerprint - background clearance 5. “Recency” - one year of teaching experience or eight semester credit hours completed within the last six years 6. Content and Pedagogy testing requirements OR exempted by accepting out-of-state tests or experience |
Eligible with Application | |
| Kentucky | Reciprocity is a term often used when educators need to transfer their certification from one state to another. This does not mean, however, that a state with “reciprocity” will automatically grant the same certification as was held in another state, since each state has its own special requirements. Kentucky is part of the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement; therefore, the state accepts recommendations from teacher preparation programs from state-accredited colleges and universities in many states. Cases are evaluated on an individual basis. | Eligible with Application | |
| Louisiana |
Louisiana offers two types of teaching certificates to applicants holding a standard out-of-state 1. Level 1 (LV1) Professional Certificate is a standard, three-year Louisiana teaching certificate that authorizes certification for the levels or subjects available in Louisiana and that are consistent with those currently on the applicant’s Out-of-State teaching certificate. A Level 1 certificate is issued to individuals who have completed the Louisiana PRAXIS and/or NTE |
Eligible with Application | |
| Maine |
The Maine DOE must certify every teacher in the state before he or she is able to start working in the classroom. To apply for initial certification evaluation, please follow the seven steps below. 1. Complete and sign application |
Eligible with Application | |
| Maryland | If you hold an active professional certificate from another state, have completed an educator preparation program and met the issuing state's qualifying test scores to receive certification, please submit the following: Official transcript(s), which must show the degree and date of conferral, if applicable. Student copies in an unopened mailer are also acceptable. A photocopy of your active out of state professional certificate Verification of test scores for the required teacher certification tests for your out-of-state professional certificate. (A photocopy of the test scores or an official verification from a state department of education will be accepted.) An initial application for certification A cover letter with your name, mailing address, last 4 digits of your social security number, date of birth, personal email address, and the area of certification you are seeking. |
Eligible with Application | |
| Massachusetts |
Temporary License: Valid for one (1) year of employment Holds a Bachelor's degree |
Eligible with Application | |
| Michigan | Michigan has signed an Interstate Compact Agreement (ICA) with every state agreeing to accept out-of-state teacher preparation programs and teaching certificates on a reciprocal basis for initial certification. However, the terms of the agreement address both traditional teacher preparation programs and alternative route teacher certification programs and each certificate and/or program must be evaluated under the terms of this agreement. Out-of-state certification programs and credentials may differ from Michigan programs and credentials; however, under the ICA, the Department attempts to match out-of-state certificates, grade levels and content endorsements, as closely as possible. To determine reciprocity under the ICA, an evaluation must be completed. |
Eligible with Application | |
| Minnesota |
If you have obtained a regionally-accredited bachelor's degree from a state-approved teacher preparation program with field-specific student teaching equivalent to requirements of Minnesota programs, you may qualify for a Minnesota teacher license under the tiered licensure structure. You may qualify for a Tier 3 license if: You take and pass the MTLE content and pedagogy exams for the licensure field recommended by your college/university. You should not submit a formal application for Minnesota licensure until after you receive official passing scores on the MTLE exams. The MTLE website has more information about the exams and the exam reporting schedule. |
Eligible with Application | |
| Mississippi |
A Five-Year Educator License – Reciprocity is granted to applicants who possess a valid standard license from another state in an area in which Mississippi issues an endorsement and meets Mississippi’s minimum licensure requirements or equivalent. Applicants must submit to the Office of Educator Licensure: |
Eligible with Application | |
| Missouri |
A non-Missouri Graduate Application will need to be submitted. |
Eligible with Application | |
| Montana | Montana does not have reciprocity with any state for teacher licensure. To get a Montana teaching license you will need to go through the application process. You will need to submit an application, transcripts, a fingerprint background check, a copy of your current out of state license, a university recommendation and a licensure fee which verifies you have completed a teacher preparation program which included student teaching and that you qualify for the endorsements you are applying for. | Eligible with Application | |
| Nebraska | Teaching Initial Certificate Requirements Completion of a Baccalaureate Degree Completion of a Teacher Education Program at a state approved college or university Completion of the Human Relations Training Requirement Completion of the Special Education Training Program Praxis – CORE Academic Skills (Basic Skills) Praxis Subject Assessments – (Content Test) Recent college credits or employment experience within the past immediate 5 years |
Eligible with Application | |
| Nevada | Nevada offers reciprocity for current, valid, non-provisional, and non-conditional licensees coming from other states. If you are applying for any Nevada educator license for the first time from out-of-state, including a substitute teaching licenses, you will need to first register for your online profile through OPAL and follow the Out-of-State Checklist. | Eligible with Application | |
| New Hampshire | Reciprocity means NH will accept either another state’s approved educator preparation program in lieu of an NH educator preparation program OR a full license with specific experience. Reciprocity does not mean an educator license from another state is automatically exchanged for a license in NH. Application required. | Eligible with Application | |
| New Jersey | For candidates from other states to receive a certificate through reciprocity, New Jersey must issue the equivalent of whatever subject area or grade level out-of-state license the applicant holds. 1. Hold valid standard certificate issued by another state and demonstrate at least two effective years of teaching within three consecutive years of the last four calendar years, as documented by letter from applicant's supervisor or appropriate district representative OR 2. Hold National Board of Professional Teaching Standards certificate. | Eligible with Application | |
| New Mexico |
Reciprocating a License $125.00 fee, cashier’s check or money order; and Initial Application; and Provide Official transcripts reflecting a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree earned from a regionally accredited college/university; and |
Eligible with Application | |
| New York | A certificate can be issued to an applicant who completed a comparable educator program in another U.S. State or Territory and has completed all examination, workshop and fingerprinting requirements. Submit an application and fee for an Initial certificate. Complete a comparable approved teacher preparation program, in the subject of the application, at a college in another U.S. State or Territory that would lead to an institutional recommendation for certification in the state the college is located. Bachelor’s degree. 2.5 cumulative GPA in a Bachelor’s or higher degree. Satisfactory passing score on all required exams for Initial certificate sought. Fingerprint Clearance. Complete all required workshops. |
Eligible with Application | |
| North Carolina |
Applying for your first North Carolina Professional Educator's License: Professional Educator's Initial Licenses are non-renewable and intended for teachers with 0-2 years of teaching experience, and are valid for three years. To be issued a Professional Educator's Initial License, an individual must have: completed a state approved teacher education program from a regionally accredited college or university, or |
Eligible with Application | |
| North Dakota | Requirement for ND teaching license with out-of-state license: if applicant has completed a transcripted teacher education program, ND will need a copy of your valid and current out-of-state teaching license and Confirmation of Other State Educator License form completed by your state's licensure agency. If you have completed an alternative certification program in another state and hold a valid license in that state, you will need to complete our Praxis I and Praxis II testing requirements for your content area(s) prior to being issued an OSEL in North Dakota. Apply online and the system will let you know what information is needed. | Eligible with Application | |
| Ohio | To become a licensed teacher in Ohio, you must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and have completed an approved teacher preparation program through an accredited college/university. One-Year Out-of-State – If you are employed in an Ohio school, you may apply for a one-year out-of-state teaching license to allow time to complete the required Ohio licensure exam(s). To be eligible for this license, you must hold a valid, standard out-of-state teaching license and have met all requirements for a standard Ohio teaching license except for the Ohio licensure exams. You may only apply for the one-year out-of-state license at the request of your employing Ohio school. | Eligible with Application | |
| Oklahoma |
If you hold a full teaching credential in any state, you are eligible for provisional certification in equivalent subject areas with the possibility of having to take Oklahoma tests. Application for Oklahoma School Standard Teaching Certificate |
Eligible with Application | |
| Oregon | To meet the minimum qualifications to apply for the Reciprocal Teaching License, you must: Hold a valid and active non-provisional teaching license from another state; Have never held an Oregon educator license, charter school registration or completed an Oregon educator preparation program; Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher (regionally accredited or foreign equivalent); Have completed an approved out-of-state teacher preparation program (official verification of completion is required); Pass a criminal background clearance, including fingerprints, if necessary. |
Eligible with Application | |
| Pennsylvania |
Pennsylvania along with most states and U.S. territories have signed an Interstate Certification Agreement to recognize current and comparable state-approved programs. Candidates from participating states must still meet other Pennsylvania requirements such as student teaching, GPA and PA testing. Requirements if Applicant Holds a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Credential: Identify the comparable Pennsylvania certificate for which you will be applying (see Types of Certificates). Special Note: If applying for certification in Special Education, you must already hold or qualify and apply for a Pennsylvania certificate in an appropriate content area. Refer to CSPG 61 (Grade-Level Scope of Certificates section) for more information. |
Eligible with Application | |
| Puerto Rico | No Information Available | Under review - Contact Office of Teaching & Learning | 801-863-8255 | |
| Rhode Island | Reciprocity allows individuals who completed a state approved out-of-state preparation program or who hold valid full out-of-state certificates to pursue RI certification where similar certificate areas exist. This reciprocity pathway may be available to individuals who hold a valid, current, full, out-of-state certificate. The certificate must align to a specific RI certificate grade range and content area, is NASDTEC Stage 3, and is NOT a temporary or preliminary certificate. Individuals pursuing this pathway should review the RI certification and testing requirements prior to submitting an application. Include official student-issued transcripts and/or letter of verification of a completed approved program stating the content and grade range in your application packet. | Eligible with Application |
Rhode Island Department of Education eqac@ride.ri.gov |
| South Carolina |
The issuance of a South Carolina educator certification based on a comparable certificate issued by another entity's Department of Education is referred to as reciprocity. Application Procedures for Reciprocity Complete the CATS Portal Certification Application prior to all following steps. 1. Submit the non-refundable $105 Processing Fee. 2. Complete the Fingerprinting Process and Criminal Records Review. 3. Submit an Official Transcript from each college attended. If the applicant has conferred more than one degree, our office requires official sealed transcripts documenting any preceding undergraduate and/or graduate programs. 4. Submit a front and back photocopy of the existing, valid out-of-state teaching certificate. 5. Submit copies of any content knowledge or pedagogical knowledge assessment/exam scores, if applicable. 6. Submit completed Verification of Teaching Experience Form. |
Eligible with Application | |
| South Dakota | You should apply using the Out-of-State Initial Educator Application if you completed an educator preparation program from a state other than South Dakota. | Eligible with Application | |
| Tennessee | The practitioner license is an initial license, valid for three years. To be issued a practitioner license using a valid out of state license, an applicant must: be at least 18 years old; hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university; provide proof of a full, valid and continuously renewable license comparable to the Tennessee professional license; and ensure that the department has official transcripts of all credits earned through an institution of higher education. | Eligible with Application | |
| Texas | You must apply for a review of credentials if you are seeking certification in Texas and you hold a standard certificate issued by another state or territory. Application Information: Create an online account. Complete an application and pay the $164 non-refundable fee. Submit official transcripts from all colleges. Submit copies of all standard certificates. Submit proof of oral English language proficiency if your degree was earned outside the United States, including territories of the United States. | Eligible with Application | |
| Utah | Step 1 – Complete a Utah State Board of Education (USBE) Background Check Step 2 – Pass the appropriate Content Knowledge Test Step 3 – Complete the Educator Ethics Review Step 4 – Complete and Submit the Application | Eligible with Application | |
| Vermont | Eligibility for licensure through the traditional route is determined by the completion of a state approved educator preparation program at a college or university through a bachelor, post-baccalaureate or master’s degree program and recommendation for licensure from the institution. Vermont currently has educator reciprocity with all states except: New York, New Mexico, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Educators who hold a current license, or have a recommendation for licensure on their transcript, from any of these states; will need to apply for Initial License through Transcript Review. | Eligible with Application | |
| Virginia | An individual coming into Virginia from any state may qualify for a Virginia teaching license with comparable endorsement areas if the individual has completed a state-approved teacher preparation program through a regionally accredited four-year college or university, or if the individual holds a valid out-of-state teaching license (full credential without deficiencies) that must be in force at the time the application for a Virginia license is made. An individual seeking licensure must establish a file in the Department of Education by submitting a complete application packet, which includes official student transcripts. Professional teacher's assessments prescribed by the Board of Education must be satisfied. | Eligible with Application | |
| Virgin Islands | For initial certification in the U.S. Virgin Islands, all candidates must: Earn a baccalaureate degree. Submit appropriate applications. Submit official transcripts from all accredited institutions. Demonstrate proof of U.S. citizenship, permanent residency or other approved work status. Complete a course in Virgin Islands history within the first year of employment. Pass the Praxis tests for their certification area. | Eligible with Application | |
| Washington |
Residency Teacher Out-Of-State: This application is for those educators who have completed a teacher preparation program through an accredited institution or have held a full teaching credential in another state. Requirements: Completion of a bachelor's degree or higher. Must submit official transcripts showing degree Completion of any state's approved teacher preparation program through an accredited institution, or an approved alternate route program, or copy of an out of state teaching certificate (valid or expired) plus three years of out of state teaching experience. The preparation program must include a defined course of study and a supervised student teaching/internship. Complete the form which applies and submit at the time of application. Must complete a basic skills test (WEST-B or approved alternative) and pass a content area test for each endorsement sought (WEST-E or approved alternative). |
Eligible with Application | |
| West Virginia | Out of State Applicants Reciprocity Guidelines Under W. Va. Code §18A-3-1 and as defined in WV Policy 5202 §126-136-16, out of state applicants seeking initial licensure in the state of West Virginia, based on reciprocity, are required to meet EACH of the following: hold a valid teaching certificate or a certificate of eligibility issued by another state, have graduated from a state-approved educator preparation program* at a regionally accredited institution of higher education; AND have successfully completed a student teaching experience or equivalent in the state in which the approved program was completed. | Eligible with Application | |
| Wisconsin | To become licensed in Wisconsin, an out-of-state applicant must verify completion of the following: 1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. 2. A state-approved educator preparation program 3. Testing Requirements | Eligible with Application | |
| Wyoming | Wyoming participates in reciprocity with all states. However, reciprocity does not mean transfer of license. Applicants must meet additional requirements for Wyoming licensure. Requirements are listed below and in the application packets: a complete application with all required documentation & appropriate fees an Institutional Recommendation (IR) from the college where an applicant received his/her teaching degree official transcripts test scores, if applicable demonstrated knowledge of the U.S. & Wyoming Constitutions (either by transcript or by PTSB test) fingerprinting. | Eligible with Application |
*Updated 3/30/2020