The average American relocates 11–12 times in their lifetime, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Such frequent moves might be necessary to grow one’s career, but it can make things tricky for educators who require state licensure to work. 

Most states have similar general requirements for teaching licensure, such as holding a bachelor’s degree, completing an approved teacher preparation program, and passing certification exams and a background check. Each state also has its own unique requirements, but most participate in reciprocity agreements which allow out-of-state teachers to transfer their license and get certified without having to start from scratch. 

Every state has its own policy for this process, with some making it easier than others. Ideally, the goal is for schools to be able to hire trained, qualified teachers to quickly fill shortages, while ensuring their new teachers meet specific state requisites. 

Let’s explore what reciprocity means so you can transfer your license as efficiently as possible!

Teacher License Reciprocity in Practice

Teacher license reciprocity doesn’t mean your current state license automatically works in other states. It simply means many states recognize that teachers who’ve met requirements in their own states shouldn’t have to redo everything if they want to move. A reciprocity agreement essentially translates out-of-state license requirements to local ones. 

Think of how colleges evaluate transfer credits for students coming in from other schools. Depending on how closely the previous state’s requirements sync with those of the target state, the process may be relatively painless. In some cases, teachers have to pass additional exams, complete additional coursework, or obtain more teaching experience to qualify in their target state.

Of course, it would be convenient if all states had the same requirements for teaching licensure, but they don’t. However, 47 states* (plus the District of Columbia and some U.S. territories) participate in the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement. 

*The states that don’t participate are New Mexico, New York, and South Dakota. 

Even with NASDTEC, states still require teachers to meet local coursework mandates, such as courses in special education law or state history, for example. NASDTEC just offers a helpful framework to reference when teachers want to obtain a new state licensure. Again, each state is different and the devil’s in the details, so it’s vital to dig into how your target state handles reciprocity and what their deadlines are to complete any extra steps.

State-Specific Reciprocity Examples

Reviewing every state’s reciprocity details would be too exhaustive, but let’s review a few examples of how things differ from state to state!

Arizona

Arizona is hailed for making reciprocity easier, partly because they actively recruit out-of-state teachers to fill shortages. It’s a fairly straightforward process for licensed out-of-state teachers to transfer credentials and get a Reciprocal Provisional Teaching Certificate. If needed, they must complete state-specific requirements to obtain an Arizona Teaching Certificate, such as passing the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA) or Praxis exams. But the point is to bring teachers in and get them working as fast as feasible. 

California

California participates in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, but it still has a relatively strict set of reciprocity requirements. Out-of-state applicants can qualify for a Preliminary Credential which lets them teach as they work toward the state’s Clear Credential. Candidates must meet the subject matter knowledge requirements for their credential area, which may involve taking extra courses. They may have to meet California requirements related to teaching English learners, plus meet basic skills requirements unless they’ve already passed their current state’s skills exam.

Colorado

In Colorado, the reciprocity process is fairly straightforward. Out-of-state teachers who possess three or more years of full-time teaching experience qualify for a Professional Teacher License. Those with less than that can get an Initial Teacher License (which lasts for three years) as they work toward finishing up any requirements. Candidates may have to demonstrate subject-matter knowledge or take content exams, and pass a fingerprint-based background check through state and federal systems.

Minnesota

Minnesota is one of those states that may exempt prospective teachers from needing to pass a licensing exam, as long as they’ve already completed an approved teacher preparation program. Exemptions don’t cover every candidate in every circumstance, but in general, each of Minnesota’s four licensing tiers has a testing exemption. 

However, most other states do require passing at least content and pedagogy tests. As a result, Minnesota teachers who took the testing exemption and want to work in another state probably have to complete such exams as the Praxis, NES, or the target state’s subject-area exams. The Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board can guide candidates to approved preparation programs or resources to help them prepare. 

These are just a few examples to give you an idea about the differences between states. To learn more about each state’s specific requirements, check out the Education Commission of the States’ Teacher License Reciprocity: State Profiles. 

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’re considering a move to a new state and want to start working as soon as possible, it’s smart to research those target state requirements early. 

Gather all of your transcripts, test scores, and verification of teaching experience together. If needed, check your current state’s Department of Education website for a copy of your teaching record. Having everything ready ahead of time can save weeks of back-and-forth with your new state. It’s also a good idea to keep a digital portfolio with your test scores, licenses, and professional development certificates, too, since many states accept digital uploads.

School districts are always eager to hire qualified educators who can slide into their open positions quickly. Reciprocity agreements are there to help you do that, but it’s up to you to do your homework and take the necessary steps to make things happen. Stay flexible and be ready to take additional exams or coursework, if necessary. 

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