Every state has its own standards and requirements for teacher certification, and therefore no teacher can use an out-of-state license to teach in a US school. However, that does not mean that one necessarily has to start all over again in the certification process if they move from one state to another. Please read all the sections below before viewing the State-by-State Chart for Policies on Reciprocity and Out-of-State Teacher Certification.

The term ‘reciprocity’ refers to agreements state departments of education may have between one another which make it easy to gain teaching certification when moving from one of these states to another. This works by the home state accepting a teaching certificate from out-of-state as complete (or nearly complete) qualification for a home state teaching certificate. The home state will then issue a comparable teaching certificate.

Please note that if one state does not have a ‘reciprocity’ agreement with another state, it does not necessarily mean that an applicant’s qualifications and experience are worthless. Most states accept applicants’ qualifications and/or experience from most or all other states, but often require some additional assessment or training. Additionally, states will often issue ‘initial’ or ‘provisional’ certificates until the applicant has completed these extra requirements or simply accrued in-state teaching time.

Generally speaking when one state accepts a certificate from another state as fulfillment of the requirements for teacher certification, the minimum requirements are:

• BA from an accredited institution
• Completion of a teacher training program at a state-approved, regionally-accredited institution
• Praxis 1* and applicable Praxis 2* passing scores
• Full-time teaching experience from 3 out of the past 7 years

*Praxis I: Pre-Professional Skills Assessment Tests / Praxis II: Subject Assessment Tests
For more information on the Praxis Series tests, visit http://www.ets.org/portal/site/ets/menuitem.435c0b5cc7bd0ae7015d9510c3921509/?vgnextoid=48c05ee3d74f4010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD

The National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) has created an interstate agreement. The NASDTEC Interstate Agreement facilitates the movement of educators among the states and other jurisdictions that are members of NASDTEC and have signed the Agreement. Although it is not universal among states, and it is not a true ‘reciprocity’ agreement, this agreement significantly eases the restrictions and red-tape placed on qualified teachers when applying for out-of-state certification. More information on NASDTEC and the Interstate Agreement is available at https://www.nasdtec.org/agreement.tpl

Please keep in mind that there is no simple universal rule for teacher certification. All states vary in their regulations and requirements for certification. Therefore, it is not possible to compile simple to understand information in a chart for all states. However, we have created a chart, including each of the 50 states and Washington D.C., the states for which they accept out-of-state certification, the conditions under which this certification is accepted, and links to further information. We have tried to make this chart as easy to understand and as accurate as possible. However, each out-of-state applicant’s situation is different, and the rules for each state are varied and complex. We recommend that you use this chart as a starting point in finding out how the different rules in different states may affect you. To view the State-by-State Chart for Policies on Reciprocity and Out-of-State Teacher Certification click below: