Every state has its own licensing requirements, exams, and timelines. Whether you're a domestic career changer, a recent graduate, or an international educator — we map the fastest, most affordable route to get you certified and into the classroom.
To legally teach in U.S. public schools, educators must meet a set of core requirements. These form the eligibility criteria that every teacher — whether from Ohio or overseas — must satisfy.
All 50 states require at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. If your degree was earned outside the U.S., it must be evaluated by an approved credential evaluation service to confirm equivalency — this is a mandatory step for international teachers.
Required — All StatesYou must complete a state-approved educator preparation program (EPP). This can be a traditional university-based program or an alternative certification program (ACP) designed for career changers and those with non-education degrees.
Required — All StatesMost states require passing scores on standardized exams. The Praxis series (by ETS) is the most widely used, though states like Texas (TExES), Florida (FTCE), California (CBEST/CSET), and others have their own state-specific assessments.
Required — Varies by StateEvery state requires a criminal background check and fingerprinting as part of the certification application. This is a non-negotiable step that applies to all applicants regardless of background or origin.
Required — All StatesIf your degree was earned outside the United States, you are required to have your academic credentials evaluated by a NACES-approved or AICE-member evaluation service. This determines the U.S. equivalency of your degree — without it, you cannot apply for certification in any state.
Mandatory for Overseas EducatorsMost certification paths include a supervised classroom teaching component. Some alternative programs allow you to teach in a paid position while completing this requirement under a mentor teacher's guidance.
Required in Most ProgramsEach state sets its own licensing requirements, exams, and timelines. Some states offer fast-track alternative routes, while others require 18–24 months. Here's a snapshot of key states:
Texas is a national leader in alternative certification. Career changers with a bachelor's degree and 2.5+ GPA can start teaching in as little as a few months through state-approved ACPs.
California uses internship programs as its alternative certification route. The state requires a U.S. Constitution course or exam and has expanded online residency programs.
Florida offers a Temporary Certificate for degree holders, allowing them to teach while completing education requirements. Military members and spouses qualify for special expedited routes.
New York has more stringent requirements and typically requires 18–24 months for alternative certification. The state offers Initial and Professional certificate levels.
Georgia's GaTAPP program is the primary alternative route. Candidates with a bachelor's degree in their teaching subject can teach while completing the program under a dedicated mentor.
The majority of U.S. states use the Praxis exams and participate in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, which enables some degree of license transferability. Eight states — including Arizona, Hawaii, Illinois, and Oklahoma — offer full reciprocity.
If you earned your degree outside the United States, credential evaluation is not optional — it is a mandatory requirement before you can apply for teacher certification in any state. A credential evaluation report compares your international academic qualifications to U.S. standards and determines degree equivalency. Without it, your application will not be processed.
Collect official transcripts, degree certificates, and mark sheets from every institution where you studied. Documents must typically be sent directly from the institution to the evaluation agency.
The U.S. Department of State recognizes only NACES and AICE as accrediting bodies for credential evaluation. Always use an approved member to ensure your report is accepted by state licensing boards.
Most states require a course-by-course evaluation (not just a general evaluation). This detailed report lists each course, credit, and grade alongside U.S. equivalents — essential for teacher certification applications.
Processing typically takes 1–4 weeks for standard service, or as fast as 3 business days for rush processing. Reports are sent directly to you and can be shared with state education departments.
With your evaluation report in hand, you can now apply for certification in your target state. We help you identify any additional requirements — exams, coursework, or clinical hours — to complete the process.
Largest provider — 200,000+ evaluations per year, 200+ countries
45+ years of experience, ~5 business day processing
Oldest U.S. evaluation service, 580,000+ evaluations processed
Fast turnaround — evaluations in as little as 3 business days
Specialized in teacher certification evaluations
Navigating 50 different state systems, managing credential evaluations, and preparing for certification exams is overwhelming. That's exactly why we exist.
We analyze your background — degree, subject area, teaching experience, and target state — and create a step-by-step plan tailored to your fastest, most affordable path to certification. No guesswork, no wasted time.
For international educators, we guide you through the entire credential evaluation process — selecting the right NACES-approved agency, preparing documents, choosing the correct report type, and interpreting results. We ensure your evaluation meets your target state's requirements.
We help you identify exactly which exams you need — Praxis, TExES, FTCE, CBEST, GACE, or others — and connect you with study resources, prep courses, and testing schedules so you pass the first time.
Already certified in one state and want to teach in another? We navigate the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, identify what transfers and what doesn't, and handle the paperwork so your existing credentials work harder for you.
We prepare and review your certification application — transcripts, test scores, evaluation reports, background check documentation — and follow up with state agencies so nothing falls through the cracks.
Certification is the beginning, not the end. Once you're certified, we match you with schools and districts actively hiring — locally, nationally, or internationally. From interview prep to contract review, we're with you all the way.
These two foundational services are where every teacher's journey begins — and where US Global Teachers delivers the most value.
End-to-end support from your first consultation to your first day of school. We handle the maze of state requirements so you don't have to.
Your international degree means nothing to a state licensing board without a proper evaluation. We make sure it's done right the first time.
Bookmark these official resources for reference. And remember — US Global Teachers is always here to help you make sense of it all.
The official guide from the U.S. Department of Education on becoming a certified teacher, with state-by-state directories.
Visit Teach.org →The most widely used teacher certification exams in the U.S. Find registration, prep materials, and test center information.
Visit ETS Praxis →The interstate agreement that facilitates teaching license transfers between participating states.
Visit NASDTEC →Find approved credential evaluation services recognized by the U.S. Department of State for evaluating international degrees.
Visit NACES →The largest credential evaluation provider in North America, trusted by licensing boards across all 50 states.
Visit WES →The nation's leading alternative certification program, operating in multiple states with fast-track options.
Visit Teachers of Tomorrow →A streamlined 9-month certification program ideal for working adults and international teachers seeking U.S. licensure.
Visit Moreland →Official federal resources including the Teacher Shortage Areas report published annually to identify high-demand fields and regions.
Visit ED.gov →Whether you need a credential evaluation, a certification roadmap, or help getting placed in a school — we're here to make it happen. Your classroom is waiting.