State Requirements for International Teachers
November 2008
State
California
Test
Yes
Certificate
Multiple
Subject
Teaching
Credential;
Single
Subject
Teaching
Credential
National Council of State Supervisors for Languages
Requirements
With the completed application:
 Foreign transcript evaluation confirming the completion of a baccalaureate or higher
degree from a college or university and the completion of a professional preparation
program in elementary or secondary education
 Issued or eligible for a comparable teaching credential earned in a country other than
the United States
 Satisfy the basic skills requirement (CBEST)
 Complete course work in Developing English Language Skills in Reading
 US Constitution course or examination
 Verify subject –matter competency
 Complete Commission-approved Professional Teacher Induction Program, if
available or 5th year of study at California college or university
 Course work submitted must have an overall average of C or better on a five-point
scale.
1
November 2008
State
Connecticut
Test
Yes
Certificate
Visiting
International
Teacher
Permit
Requirements
(a) The State Board of Education shall, upon the request of a local or regional board of
education, issue an international teacher permit in a subject shortage area pursuant to
section 10-8b of the general statutes, provided the conditions for issuance of such
permit pursuant to the provisions of subsections (b) and (c) of this section are met.
Such permits shall be issued for one year and may be renewed for a period of up to
one year, upon the request of the local or regional board of education, provided the
permit shall not be renewed more than twice in the two years subsequent to the initial
issuance.
(b) The local or regional board of education requesting the issuance of an international
teacher permit shall attest to the existence of a plan for the supervision of the teacher.
(c) The teacher shall:
(1) Hold a J-1 visa issued by the United States Department of State;
(2) Be in the United States to teach (A) in accordance with a memorandum of
understanding between Connecticut and the country from which the teacher is entering,
or (B) as part of the Exchange Visitor Program administered by the United States
Department of State Teacher Exchange Branch;
(3) (A) Hold the equivalent of a bachelor's degree, from a regionally accredited
institution of higher education, as determined by a foreign credentialing agency
recognized by the Commissioner of Education, with a major in or closely related to the
certification endorsement area in which the teacher is to teach, or (B) hold such a
degree without such a major and have successfully completed the teacher assessment
for the appropriate subject area, as approved by the State Board of Education;
(4) Have completed, in the country from which the teacher is entering, the equivalent of
a regionally accredited teacher preparation program; and
(5) Have achieved the level of oral proficiency in English as determined by an examination
approved by the Commissioner of Education.
National Council of State Supervisors for Languages
2
November 2008
State
Georgia
Test
No
Certificate
International
Exchange
Certificate
National Council of State Supervisors for Languages
Requirements
Purpose. The International Exchange Certificate is a professional, time-limited
certificate designed to allow eligible educators from other nations to come to the United
States to teach in Georgia schools for up to three years. The certificate is nonrenewable and is only issued for teaching fields. The intent of this certificate is to
provide a three-year cultural exchange (not necessarily a physical teacher exchange
between two countries) for Georgia students and international teachers.
 hold primary citizenship outside of the United States and be entering the U.S. for the
express purpose of teaching in a Georgia school;

hold the U.S. equivalent of a bachelor's degree or higher;

hold foreign educator credentials in a teaching field comparable to those recognized
in Georgia;

be proficient in English (as determined by the employing school system); and,

be employed in a Georgia school and have the certificate requested by the
employing school system.
3
November 2008
State
Indiana
Test
No
Certificate
Requirements
Practitioner’s IC 20-28-5-15
Licence
Teacher shortage areas; licensing and employment of individuals with
postgraduate degrees; conditions for renewal
Sec. 15. (a) Notwithstanding section 3(b)(6) of this chapter, the department shall
grant an initial practitioner's license in a specific subject area to an applicant who:
(1) has earned a postgraduate degree from a regionally accredited postsecondary
educational institution in the subject area in which the applicant seeks to be licensed;
(2) has at least one (1) academic year of experience teaching students in a middle
school, high school, or college classroom setting; and
(3) complies with sections 4, 9, and 12 of this chapter.
(b) An individual who receives an initial practitioner's license under this section may
teach in the specific subject for which the individual is licensed only in:
(1) high school; or
(2) middle school;
if the subject area is designated by the state board as having an insufficient supply of
licensed teachers.
(c) After receiving an initial practitioner's license under this section, an applicant who
seeks to renew the applicant's initial practitioner's license or obtain a proficient
practitioner's license must:
(1) demonstrate that the applicant has:
(A) participated in cultural competency professional development activities;
(B) obtained training and information from a special education teacher
concerning exceptional learners; and
(C) received:
(i) training or certification that complies; or
(ii) an exemption from compliance;
with the standards set forth in section 3(c) of this chapter; and
(2) meet the same requirements as other candidates.
As added by P.L.75-2008, SEC.2.
a. corporation or the Indiana Department of Education;
b. Hold appropriate work authorization for the Unites States State Department; and
c. Has completed orientation with the school corporation and/or the Indiana
Department of Education as designated by a signature on the Visiting Teacher
Permit Application Form.
National Council of State Supervisors for Languages
4
November 2008
State
Kentucky
No
Test
Louisiana
No
Certificate
Limited
Certificate
Requirements
This certificate allows any teacher who has a degree and teaching certificate in the field
s/he teaches to teach for 1 yr and is renewable for the duration of the J1 visa.
Reissuance of the certificate requires the signature of the employing school
superintendent. We accept licensure to teach English in Spain as a license/degree to
teach a "foreign language" in general. Individuals are required to submit the regular
application (TC-1, including a SSN) along with an English translation of their transcript
of credits.
Foreign
Language
Elementary
Special
Certificate
This certificate may be issued to a teacher who participates in the Louisiana Dept. of
Education Foreign Associate Teacher Program, and who teaches Foreign Language in
the Elementary School in grades PK-8 ad/or foreign language immersion in grades PK8. The certificate is valid for three years and is renewable for an additional 3 years.
Eligibility guidelines:
1. Bachelor’s degree in education or equivalent preparation in education from a
foreign country.
2. A teaching certificate in the foreign country for the certification area and/or grade
level that the candidate will teach in Louisiana
3. Evidence of two years of successful teaching exper4ience in the country of origin
4. A native speaker of the language to be taught.
Maine
Yes
International
Visiting
Teacher
Permit
National Council of State Supervisors for Languages
This is a non-renewable three-year permit. Eligibility requirements include:
1. The applicant must be a citizen of another country;
2. The applicant holds a J-1 visa issued by the United States Department of State;
3. The applicant holds the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited
college;
4. The applicant has a minimum of three years of teaching experience in the permit
area being sought;
5. The applicant is a participant in a visiting teacher program approved by the
Department; and
6. The applicant has an academic major in the permit area being sought or
evidence of proficiency in the world language (as documented by a rating of
Advanced or higher on an ACTFL OPI).
5
November 2008
State
Minnesota
Nebraska
Test
Yes
Certificate
Limited
license
Requirements
Valid for up to three years
Requires B.A. with a major or minor in the teaching field
No special
certificate
Year 1: Teachers must have a Bachelor's Degree in the area for which they teach. We
require a credentials report that translates the visiting teacher's transcript into
undergraduate and graduate credit hours and confirms the degree(s) earned and the
area for which they are prepared to teach. (The credentials report also helps schools
determine the teacher's placement on the salary schedule according to graduate
credits earned.)
Year 2: Teachers are granted a two-year temporary teaching certificate. The first year
of teaching they must take the Human Relations course required of all Nebraska
teachers. The second year of teaching they must take the Special Education course
required of all Nebraska teachers.
Year 3: If year 1 and 2 requirements are met they are issued a one-year provisional
certificate and must take the Praxis test.
National Council of State Supervisors for Languages
6
November 2008
State
New Jersey
Test
Yes
Certificate
Limited
Certificate
for Foreign
Teachers
Requirements
Valid for three years; non-renewable; issued to citizens of other countries enrolled in
approved teacher placement agencies; and available in subject areas determined as
critical shortage areas by the State Board of Education. Certificate is issued upon
completion of the following:
 U.S. equivalent of bachelor’s degree
 Appropriate GPA: 2.5 for graduates prior to 9/1/04 and 2.5 for graduates after 9/1/04
 Academic major in subject to be taught, except world languages
 Fulfillment of the state test requirement
 U.S. equivalent college teacher preparation program
 Verification of authorization to teach in home country
 Minimum 3 yrs teaching experience in subject area or world languages
 Ability to speak, read and write the English language as demonstrated on a
nationally recognized test of English proficiency determined by the SEA
North
Carolina
No
International
Faculty
License
Individuals on a cultural exchange visa who meet their countries’ requirements for
qualified teachers may be issued an International Faculty license for a maximum of
three years. The International Faculty license is not renewable. To be eligible for this
license, the teacher must complete the equivalent of North Carolina’s High Objective
State Standard of Evaluation (HOUSSE) administered by an evaluator authorized by
the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. For purposes of PL 107-110 (No
Child Left Behind) this constitutes a full license.
National Council of State Supervisors for Languages
7
November 2008
State
Ohio
Test
No
Certificate
International
Teacher
Certificate
Requirements
The non-renewable three-year visiting international teacher license, valid for teaching
the grade levels and curriculum areas named in such license. The license shall be
issued upon the request of an employing Ohio school district to a qualified individual
who meets the following conditions:




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
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
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

National Council of State Supervisors for Languages
Is deemed to be of good moral character;
Is a citizen of another country who will be entering the United States specifically for
the purpose of teaching in an Ohio school or school district that has agreed to
employ the person as a teacher via an exchange program or other collaboration or
recruitment effort;
Holds the United States equivalent of at least a bachelor's degree and provides
evidence of completion of a teacher preparation program;
Provides evidence of completion of an academic major in the area to be taught, or,
in the case of world languages, evidence of proficiency in the target language as
determined by the employing Ohio school district or the Ohio department of
education; and
Demonstrates English language proficiency as determined by the employing Ohio
school district or the Ohio department of education.
Three- Year nonrenewable certificate
Have U.S. equivalent of bachelor degree
Completion of education program
Completion of academic major in area to be taught
Evidence of proficiency in language being taught
Demonstrate English language proficiency
8
November 2008
State
Oregon
Test
Certificate
Initial
Teaching
Teaching
License
License –
Yes;
Alternative
Route
License Sometimes
Requirements
 Is deemed to be of good moral character;
 Is a citizen of another country who will be entering the United States specifically for
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Oklahoma
No
Visiting
International
Certificate
National Council of State Supervisors for Languages
the purpose of teaching in an Oregon school or school district that has agreed to
employ the person as a teacher via an exchange program or other collaboration or
recruitment effort;
Foreign transcript evaluation confirming the completion of a baccalaureate or higher
degree from a college or university and the completion of a professional preparation
program in elementary or secondary education
Issued or eligible for a comparable teaching credential earned in a country other than
the United States
Have a minimum of three years teaching experience.
Evidence of proficiency in language being taught
Completion of academic major in area to be taught
Demonstrate English language proficiency
Verify subject –matter competency
Complete Oregon Licensure Application and pay appropriate fees
Complete hiring district application
Complete State Orientation upon arrival in Oregon
Candidates must be approved by Oklahoma State Board of Education and the
certificate can be renewed an additional year.
9
November 2008
State
South
Carolina
Test
No
Certificate
International
Certificate
Requirements
The International Certificate is limited for issue to foreign teachers participating in a
Cultural Exchange Program in a J-1 visa status. The International Certificate is
considered a short term certificate renewable on a year to year basis for a maximum of
three years. Program sponsors are required to evaluate the qualifications of their
teacher applicants to ensure that their country’s certification criteria are met and that
they are proficient in the English language. The Program participants must meet the
following criteria to be issued an International Certificate:


Be a citizen of the country being placed from
hold the U.S. equivalent of a bachelor's degree in Education or higher in
the subject to be taught;

hold foreign educator credentials in a teaching field comparable to those
recognized in South Carolina;


have a minimum of three years teaching experience.
be proficient in written and spoken English;
Program sponsors must also submit a completed teacher certification packet with the
required documentation.
Texas
No
Visiting
International
Teacher
Certificate
National Council of State Supervisors for Languages
The Texas Education Agency certifies the eligibility of the Spanish teachers based
upon examination of the teachers’ university records and teaching experience provided
by the Education Office at the Embassy of Spain. Exchange teachers are required to
have a minimum of three years of teaching or related professional experience to be
eligible for the exchange visitor’s visa. The Embassy of Spain ensures that teachers
provide the Agency with the appropriate documentation to verify the professional
experiences which they hold. The Embassy of Spain also conducts and certifies the
absence of a criminal record in Spain on the part of the teachers soliciting the
credential and provides assurances of the teachers’ health status through a signed
health certificate. This documentation is provided to the Agency.
1
0
November 2008
State
Utah
No
Test
Virginia
No
Certificate
Visiting
International
Educator’s
License
Requirements
The license is acceptable for 1-3 years and comes with “Highly Qualified” status under
NCLB.
International
Educator
License
The International Educator License provides a three-year cultural exchange opportunity
for Virginia students and international teachers. The International Educator License is
a professional, teaching license issued for no more than three years to an exchange
educator with citizenship in a nation other than the United States of America, and
employed as an educator in a Virginia public or accredited nonpublic school, to teach
for up to three consecutive years. This license does not require professional teacher’s
assessments; however, the individual will be subject of assessment requirements if
seeks a five-year renewable license.
To be issued the International Educator License and individual must:
 Be employed by a Virginia public or accredited nonpublic school;
 Hold non-U.U. citizenship and be a nonpermanent resident;
 Serve as an exchange teacher for a time period not to exceed three consecutive
years; and
 Meet the following requirements as verified by a state approved, federallydesignated Exchange Visitor Program:
1. Be proficient in written and spoken English;
2. Demonstrate competence in the appropriate academic subject area(s);
3. Hold the U.S. equivalent of a baccalaureate degree or higher as
determined by an approved credential agency; and
4. Hold U.S or foreign educator credentials and completed at least one year
of successful teaching experience that::
a) Enables the educator to fulfill a similar assignment in his home
country ; or
b) Is comparable to those requirements for Virginia teachers.
National Council of State Supervisors for Languages
1
1
November 2008