Out-of-State Teaching License Requirements

Florida Department of Education

Office of the Commissioner
Turlington Building, Suite 1514
325 West Gaines Street
Tallahassee, FL  32399

(850)245-0505
Email: Commissioner@fldoe.org
Website:  Out-of-State License Certification

The step-by-step application process is linked below.

Application Process

Transcripts and other certification documents are sent to the following address.
Bureau of Educator Certification
Room 201, Turlington Building
325 West Gaines Street
Tallahassee, FL  32399-4000

Georgia Professional Standards Commission

200 Piedmont Avenue SE
Suite 1702, West Tower
Atlanta, CA  30334-9032

(808)869-7775
Email:  Contact form
Website:  Out-of-State Educators

Those that hold a professional educator out-of-state certificate should submit a completed application package for Georgia certification.  The Georgia Professional Standards Commission will evaluate your documents and outline any outstanding requirements you may need to fulfill. Follow the application process found on the website page.

Materials to include with the application are the following.

• Initial Certification Application
• Verification of Lawful Presence Documentation
• Experience Verification Form
• Copy of professional out-of-state certificate
• Copy of the official score report(s) for any required content/subject area assessments taken
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities
• Processing fee

Hawaii State Department of Education

350 Iwilei Road, Suite 268
Honolulu, HI 96817

(808)586-2600
Email:  htsb@hawaii.gov
Website: Hawaii Teacher Standards Board

Hawaii Teacher Standards Board honors reciprocity for all 50 states approved preparation programs leading to licensure, licenses, and verifiable relevant experience.

A Provisional License is available for teachers who have completed a preparation program and have less than 3 years of full time teaching experience.  A Standard License is available to those who have 3 or more years of full time teaching experience within the last 5 years.

Requirements for licensure approval follow.

• Possess a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Completion of a State-approved teacher, librarian or counselor education program
• Meet the basic skills and content knowledge requirements
• Clear the professional fitness check
• Verify 3 years out of the last 5 years of full-time teaching experience in a P-12 contracted position in a school (for standard license application)

FORMS for verification of requirements

Additional INFORMATION on license types

Idaho State Department of Education

650 West State Street
Boise, ID 83702

(208) 332-6800
Email:  certification@sde.idaho.gov
Website:  Out-of-State Licensure Approval

Mail completed application materials (as listed on website) to:

State Department of Education
Teacher Certification
PO Box 8372
Boise, Idaho  83720-0027

Illinois State Board of Education

Springfield Office
100 N 1st Street
Springfield, IL  62777
(866)262-6663

Chicago Office
100 W Randolph, Suite 14-300
Chicago, IL  60601
(312)814-2220

ISBE Educator Effectiveness Department
(217)557-6763
Email:  licensure@isbe.net
Website: Professional Educator License Teaching Endorsements

Those not holding a valid, comparable out of state license are required to include the following additional documents. ​

• Proof of completion of a State Approved Program ​
• Student teaching or equivalent experience
• Completion of coursework* addressing methods of teaching exceptional children, reading methods, content area reading, and methods of teaching English learners
• Licensure Tests

Application Site

Indiana Department of Education

South Tower, Suite 600
115 W Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN  46204

(317) 232-6610
Email: webmaster@doe.in.gov
Email:  Online Contact Form
Website:  Teaching licensing, Out-of-State

Those with out-of-state licenses must apply for an Indiana license. The link below provides the application form which requires creating an LVIS account. Scroll down to the out-of-state application process.

Application Instructions, Step by Step

Other required materials:

• CPR certification from an IDOE provider (Provider List)
• Suicide Prevention Training Certification from an IDOE provider (Provider List)
• License Application Fee

Iowa Board of Educational Examiners

701 E Court Avenue  A
Des Moines, IA  50309

Email:  Linda.Espey@Iowa.gov
Website:  Out-of-State Applicants

State-approved teacher preparation programs from a regionally-accredited institutions outside of Iowa must undergo a program review. Applicants receive 2-year temporary licenses and must complete deficiencies as determined by IBoEE. Upon completion of those deficiencies, full licensure is granted.

In addition to the application, the following materials are required for program review.

• Transcripts
• Copy of Valid Teaching License
• Verification of tests (if required)
• Verification of experience

Application Process

Kansas  State Department of Education

Landon State Office Building
900 SW Jackson Street, Suite 102
Topeka, KS  66612

Telephone:  Staff Directory
Website: Out-of-State Application

Regulations provide a number of licensing options to guarantee access to start teaching to all applicants who hold a valid full or standard out-of-state license or certificate issued after the successful completion of a state approved preparation program.

Submit the application (application link) and the following requirements.

• Bachelors degree – awarded by a regionally accredited institution
• Teacher preparation program successfully completed
• Valid out-of-state teaching license
• Fingerprint – background clearance
• “Recency” – one year of teaching experience or eight semester credit hours completed within the last six years
• Content and Pedagogy testing requirements OR exempted by accepting out-of-state tests or experience

Education Professional Standards Board

300 Sower Blvd
Frankfort, KY  40601

(502) 564-4606
(888)598-7667
Email:  KDElicensure@education.ky.gov
Website:  Out-of-State Licensure Candidates

Out-of-state applicants must have completed a state-approved teacher preparation program at a regionally accredited educator preparation institution. In addition, candidates must comply with the state ancillary requirements such as GPA, testing and internship. Testing requirements will be waived for out-of-state applicants who hold a valid certificate and have completed two (2) years of teaching in the subject area and grade level on their certificate.  In addition to the Application (see link below), official transcripts, out-of-state certificate and/or testing scores, and application fee are required.

Directions for Submitting an Application

Teach Louisiana

Division of Educator Licensure
PO Box 94064
Baton Rouge, LA  70804-9064

(207) 624-6600
(877) 453-2721
Email: Visit Teach LA Live! Educator Certification Portal.  Responses are provided to the email address or phone number submitted.
Website:  Teach LA 

Those certified to teach in another state must follow the guidelines of the Out-of-State (OS) Application Packet for certification in Louisiana. The OS certificate is valid for three years to allow time to fulfill Praxis exam requirements for the renewable Level teaching certificate.  Exemption from Praxis requirements may be issued to those who have at least 3 years of verified successful teaching experience.

Maine Department of Education

23 State House Station
Augusta, ME  04333-0023

(207) 624-6600
Website:  Certification & Credentialing

Graduates from any state approved teacher education program that have a valid certificate in the endorsement being sought may be eligible for a conditional certificate.  Submit an application with a resume, valid teaching certificate, all transcripts, and any tests taken.  The link below will provide more detailed application instructions and information on the Maine Educator Information System (MEIS).

Application Instructions

Maryland State Department of Education

Certification Branch
200 W Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD  21201

(410) 767-0100
Email:  certdocuments.msde@maryland.gov
Website:  Out-of-State Certification

Those holding licenses from another state, have completed an educator preparation program and have met the issuing state’s qualifying test scores to receive certification, submit the following.

• Official Transcript(s)
• Copy of Out-of-State Professional Certificate
• Verification of Test Scores
• Initial Application for Certification
• Cover Letter (including name, mailing address, last 4 digits of social security number, date of birth, personal email address, and the area of certification sought)

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA  02148-4906

(781) 338-3000
Website:  Out-of-State Licensure Applicants

Out-of-state applicants seeking their first license in the State of Massachusetts could qualify for one of three (3) types of Academic PreK-12 educator licenses: Temporary, Provisional, or Initial.   Applicants should submit the following as outlined in the Application Process.

• Official copies of all college transcripts
• Copy of teaching license/certificate from another state
• Completed copy of the School-based Employment Verification form
• Appropriate test scores

Applications are submitted through the Educator Licensure And Renewal (ELAR) portal.

Michigan Department of Education

608 W Allegan Street
PO Box 30008
Lansing, MI  48909

(517) 241-5000
Email:  MDE-EducatorHelp@michigan.gov
Website: Michigan Department of Education/Educator Services

To determine reciprocity, an evaluation must be completed. Submit an application using the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (see link below).

Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS)

Information about the types of licenses along with required documents can be found in the document linked below.

Out-of-State Applicants

Mississippi Department of Education

PO Box 771
Jackson, MS  39205-0771

(601) 359-3483
Website:  MDE Reciprocity License

A Five-Year Educator License or a Two-Year Provisional License is granted to applicants who possess a valid 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 the following.

• Licensure application (Instructions)
• Valid out-of-state license
• Sealed copy of all college transcripts
• Documentation that shows a passing score on a core subject test required for certification by the issuing state, or documentation that verifies the out-of-state license was obtained in a manner equivalent with current Mississippi license guidelines for that license.

Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Educator Certification
PO Box 480
Jefferson City, MO  65102-0480

(573) 751-0051
Email:  certification@dese.mo.gov
Website:  Become a Certified Teacher

An applicant who completed a teacher education program in another state and who possesses a valid professional certificate in that state may be granted a Missouri certificate in an area most closely aligned to the certification if Missouri issues such certificate. If an educator is completing or has completed a teacher education program in another state (either on campus or online), it would be beneficial to obtain that state’s certificate whether one plans to reside in that state or not. In most cases, a Missouri certificate is issued with no further coursework or test requirements.  If an area of certification is not equivalent, an educator may be evaluated based upon Missouri’s current requirements for the most closely aligned certificate.

• Complete the online Non-Missouri Graduate application   (Educator Certification System Help Guide)
• Submit additional materials outlined in the Application Checklist which include transcripts, valid teaching certificate, verification of teaching experience, background check, and application fee.

Nevada Department of Education

Carson City Office
700 E Fifth Street
Carson City, NV  89701
(777) 687-9115

Las Vegas Office
2080 E Flamingo Rd, Suite 210
Las Vegas, NV  89119
(702) 486-6458

Email:  Form
Website:  Out-of-State Applicants

Those holding a current, valid, non-conditional, non-provisional license from another state, may be eligible for reciprocal licensure. Reciprocal licensure, in most cases, will waive the testing requirements for Nevada and allow NDE staff to do the evaluation based on a license-for-license basis. Staff will reciprocate licenses and endorsements applied for to the closest available through Nevada Regulations.

When applying for reciprocal licensure, original transcripts are still required as well as a valid copy of current licenses held in other states. The license(s) held must be uploaded during the application process into the Online Portal of Application and Licensure (OPAL) system as PDF document(s) in the “experience” section under the “out of state licensure” area in OPAL.

Online Application System

Licensure Checklist for Out-of-State Applicants

New Hampshire Department of Education

Bureau of Credentialing
101 Pleasant Street
Concord, NH  89119

(702) 486-6458
Email: Form
Website:  Bureau of Credentialing

New Hampshire will accept either another state’s approved educator preparation program in lieu of a 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 New Hampshire.  License evaluations are made by the Bureau of Credentialing.  The Knowledge Base system for Out-of-State Applicants will help you determine the application process to follow based on licensing, testing, and professional experience.  Visit that system to learn how to become credentialed, apply, submit documentation, and contact a Credentialing specialist for assistance.

New Jersey Department of Education

PO Box 500
Trenton, NJ  08625-0500

(609) 376-3500
Email:  Form
Website:  New Jersey Certification & Induction

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.  The New Jersey Certification & Induction website (see link above) page explains the types of licenses available based on qualifications and experiences.  Those holding a valid, current out-of-state teaching license can begin the application process at this link.

New Mexico Public Education Department

300 Don Gaspar
Room 103
Santa Fe, NM 87501

(505) 231-4443

Email:  LicensureUnit@state.nm.us

Website:  Apply/Renew/Reciprocate License

To determine reciprocity, an application for the desired New Mexico license must be completed. The Apply/Renew/Reciprocate License website link (above) provides  the various licenses available.  Choose the type of license desired and complete the application process.  Requirements include the following.

• Initial application
• Application fee
• Sealed transcripts from a regionally accredited institution
• Copy of current valid teaching license
• Verification of experience
• Copy of teacher exam scores

New York State Education Department

Office of Teaching Initiatives
89 Washington, Ave, 5N EB
Albany, NY  11234

(518) 474-3901
Email: Form
Website:  Out-of-State Application 

The Office of Teaching Initiatives determines eligibility for certification after reviewing the application and accompanying credentials. Applicants may receive a 1-year conditional initial certificate.  The Out-of-State Application website page (above) offer two types of applications.  Determine the appropriate application and complete the process.  Among the application requirements are the following.

• Official transcripts from a state approved program
• Minimum of a 2.5 Undergraduate GPA
• Testing and edTPA scores
• Completion of workshops in the following
  • Child Abuse Identificaton
  • School Violence Intervention and Prevention
  • Dignity for All Students Act
• Fingerprint clearance

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

301 N Washington Street
Raleigh, NC  27601-2825

Mailing Address
6301 Mail Service Centerr
Raleigh, NC  27699-6301

Licensure Office Contact Numbers
(800) 577-7994
(919) 716-1800
Email: Licensure Online System
Website:  Educator Licensure

Those that hold out-of-state teaching licenses must complete the process for requesting Initial Professional License.  Included with the application are the following materials.

• Official Degree-dated transcripts
• Licensure content area examination scores – if applicable
• FORMS
  • Verification of Completion of Approved Education Program (Form V)
  • Experience Request Form (see FORMS link above from appropriate version)
• Applicaton fee

North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board

2718 Gateway Avenue, Suite 204
Bismarck, ND  58503-0585

(701) 328-9641
Email: espbinfo@nd.gov
Website:  Licensing Informaton

Out-of-State Reciprocal License (Two-Years): Issued to individuals who graduated from an out-of-state university but do not hold a teaching license in another state. A transcript analysis is completed and a plan of study is developed for each individual indicating the coursework and testing needed. This license can be issued twice, so the educator has a total of four years to complete all requirements.

Interim Reciprocal Plan

Other State Educator License (OSEL).  A two or five year license issued to those applicants who hold and submit a valid teaching license received from an approved regular teacher education program from another state. If the applicant has not tested in the sending state and has been licensed after 2002 in that state, they will have two years to complete ND tests. The regular application will be submitted including official transcripts, completed background packet, a copy of your current teaching license from another state, and/or confirmation form or test scores. If you have completed an approved program, including student teaching, hold a license in another state and have met their testing requirements, there will be no additional requirements.

Confirmation of Other State Educator License

Additional Forms as needed

Ohio Department of Education

Office of Educator Licensure
25 South Front Street, Mail Stop 504
Columbus, OH 43215-4183

(877) 644-6338
(614) 466-3593
Email:  educator.licensure@education.ohio.gov
Website:  Out-of-State Licensure

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.

Those that have completed an approved teacher preparation program  through an accredited college/university and have less than three years of teaching experience under a standard or professional out-of-state teaching license, apply for a four-year resident educator license.  Those that have taught under a standard or professional out-of-state teaching license for three years or more, apply for a five-year professional license.

Submit an application (OH|ID Account and CORE Applicant User Manual) and the following documents to be evaluated for the Ohio license.

• Out-of-State Teaching License
• Letter of Eligibility for a License (if not currently held)
• Verification of Licensure Exams
• Verification of Experience
• Official Transcripts

Oklahoma State Department of Education

Teacher Certification
2500 North Lincoln Boulevard, #212
Oklahoma City, OK  73105-4599

(405) 521-3337
Website:  Oklahoma Teacher Certification

If you hold a full teaching credential issued by any state’s Department of Education, you are eligible for certification in Oklahoma’s most equivalent subject areas.

Submit the following materials.

• Application for Oklahoma School Standard Teaching Certificate  (Form)
• Official transcripts that denote degree earned and date conferred
• Copy of teaching certificates along with Proof of Teaching Form
• Processing fee
• Fingerprint background check fee (Fingerprint Information)

Teacher Standards and Practices Commission

TSPC Office
250 Division St NE
Salem, OR  97301-1012

(503) 378-3586
Email:  contact.tspc@oregon.gov
Website:  Out-of-State Applicants Licensing

An Oregon Reciprocal Teaching License allows you to teach in Oregon for one year while working on qualifying for an Oregon Preliminary or Professional Teaching License. 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 institution);
• 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.

NOTE: Teaching experience from other states may meet Oregon’s teaching experience requirement for a Professional Teaching License if you were fully licensed by that state during the time you taught there.

The Out-of-State Applicants Licensing website page (above) can provide more information.

Pennsylvania Department of Education
333 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA  17126

Email:  PDE Contact Us Form
Website:  Out-of-State Educators

Pennsylvania Department of Education will evaluate application based on the PA Certification Program Guidelines.  Submit the following materials with application.

• Official transcripts to verify
  • Bachelor’s degree conferral
  • 3.0 GPA
  • Program completion and required coursework for certification
• Copy of current valid state certificate comparable to PA certificate sought
• Proof of completion of educator preparation using this form
• Required content area and basic skills test scores reported to PDE directly from administrator

Application using the TIMS system

TIMS User Guides

Rhode Island Department of Education

255 Westminster Street
Providence, RI  02903
(401) 222-4600

Office of Educator Excellence and Certification Services
(401) 222-8893
Email: eqac@ride.ri.gov.
Website:  Getting Certified in Rhode Island

Credential review is necessary for those 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.  Requirements vary by certification sought.  Check the link below for specific details.

Rhode Island Certification Requirements and Applications

Documents to include with application are listed below.

• Official transcripts from an accredited institution
• Evidence verifying completion of state-approved program
• Appropriate test scores
• Copy of valid out-of-state certificate

South Carolina Department of Education

Office of Educator Services
8301 Parklane Road
Columbia, SC  29223

(803) 896-0325
Email:
For correspondence:   certification@ed.sc.gov
For transcripts:   transcripts@ed.sc.gov
Website:  South Carolina Educator Licensure Reciprocity

Interstate reciprocity is available to those who hold

• a standard certificate that is clear, renewable certificate with no disciplinary holds.
• a current valid certificate that allows the applicant to serve in a public school located in the reciprocating state.

Note that experience is not reciprocal.  Experience must be evaluated for meeting South Carolina experience guidelines.

Application Process

• Complete the online application (CATS application system)  prior to all following steps.
• Submit the non-refundable fee.
• Complete the fingerprinting process and criminal records review.
• Submit an official transcript for a regionally accredited institution.
• Submit a photocopy (front & back) of valid out-of-state teaching certificate.
• Submit copies of content knowledge or pedagogical knowledge assessment/exam scores.
• Submit verification of teaching experience forms completed by employer

Directions for submitting application materials.

South Dakota Department of Education

800 Governors Drive
Pierre, SD

(605) 773-3134
Email:  certification@state.sd.us.
Website:  Certification: Educator Overview

Those that have completed an approved teacher preparation program and hold a valid license are eligible for reciprocity. A 1-year provisional certificate is available to allow for completion of the South Dakota Indian Studies requirement.

Requirements for Reciprocity Based on Completion of Approved Educator Program

Steps to Complete the Initial Application

Application Login

Tennessee Department of Education

710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN  37243

Mailing Address (Licensure)
9^th Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243

(615) 741-5158
Email: Educator.Licensure@tn.gov
Website:  Out-of-State Educators

There are three pathways by which an out-of-state educator may obtain Tennessee educator license. Each pathway requires a registered TNCompass account. The Out-of-State Applicant Checklist provides step-by-step instructions. The practitioner license, an initial license valid for three years, can be issued to those holding a valid out-of-state professional-level license. Requirements for this license are

• a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university; and
• a professional-level license in a state other than Tennessee.

Educators who meet the criteria will not be required to submit qualifying scores on required content assessments at the point of application, but must do so to renew or advance the license.

Educator License Types

Texas Education Agency

1701 N Congress Avenue
Austin, TX  78701

(512) 463-9734
Email: Help Desk Ticket
Website:  Out-of-State Certified Educators
Those that hold a standard certificate issued by another state may apply for a review of credentials to seek certification in Texas.  Exemption from taking Texas tests is available with appropriate documentation. Out-of-state test scores are not considered without a review of credentials.

Out-of-State Test Exemptions

Upon review of credentials and application, a one-year non-renewable certificate may be granted. Application for a standard certificate is required upon successful completion of appropriate tests.

Out-of-State Application Instructions