Teaching certification by state
State-by-state licensure for K-12 teachers in public school systems across the US, administered by state departments of education.
Who this pathway suits
Foreign teachers joining US school districts on J-1 exchange or H-1B visas.
Eligibility at a glance
- Bachelor's degree in education or subject area evaluated by an approved agency
- Completion of teacher preparation program
- Pass state educator exams (Praxis Core and Praxis Subject Assessments)
How the process works
- Submit foreign credential evaluation to state department of education
- Pass required Praxis or state-specific certification exams
- Obtain provisional or professional educator license
Documents you will typically need
- Degree evaluation, transcripts, Praxis test score reports, background clearances
What to keep in mind
Severe teacher shortages across many US states have expanded sponsorship for bilingual, STEM, and special education teachers.
Official source: National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC). Government authorities make all final decisions; no outcome is guaranteed.
Parallel Options & Supporting Tools for Teaching certification by state
Explore supporting intelligence briefings, interactive points assessment tools, institutional services, and parallel global migration pathways.
Supporting Tools & Verification Checklists
Institutional Legal Services & Representation
Comparable Pathways Across Other Destinations
Related Category Pathways
Foreign credential evaluation overview
Verify current official rules and scope before publication.
Healthcare professional licensing
Verify current official rules and scope before publication.
Physician residency and licensing overview
Verify current official rules and scope before publication.
Nursing licensing by state
Verify current official rules and scope before publication.