Reciprocity: Transferring Your Certification from State to State

Veteran teachers who hold (or have held) a license or certificate to teach in another state, the District of Columbia, U.S. territory, or the Department of Defense may be eligible for certification/licensure in another state through interstate reciprocity agreements. These agreements recognize the certification/licensure standards used by another state as sufficient to meet the home state's requirements.

The National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC)

In addition, the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement also facilitates the movement of educators across state lines. The Agreement makes it possible for an educator who has completed an approved program and/or who holds a certificate or license in one jurisdiction to earn a certificate or license in another state or jurisdiction. For example, a teacher who completed an approved teacher preparation program in Alabama generally will be able to earn a certificate in Georgia. Receiving states may impose certain special requirements which must be met in a reasonable period of time.

If you completed an approved teacher education program and/or hold a valid teacher's certificate or license in one state and seek certification under the terms of the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement or other independent state/U.S. territory agreements, contact the teacher certification/licensure office in the intended receiving state or jurisdiction.

Links to SREB State and Related Resources

State Resource AL Alabama State Department of Education AR Arkansas Department of Education DE Delaware Department of Education FL Florida Department of Education GA Georgia Professional Standards Commission KY Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board LA Louisiana Department of Education LA TeachLouisiana MD Maryland State Department of Education MS Mississippi Department of Education NC College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) NC North Carolina Department of Public Instruction OK Oklahoma State Department of Education SC South Carolina Department of Education TN Tennessee Department of Education TX Texas State Board for Educator Certification VA Virginia Department of Education WV West Virginia Department of Education - Certification FAQs   Mid-Atlantic Regional Teachers Project   National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification   National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education