Foreign Credential Evaluations for Teacher Certification
If you completed your education outside the United States and are applying for teacher certification or licensure, you may be required to obtain a foreign credential evaluation.
Understand the process
Teacher Certification Requirements Vary by State
There is no single national teacher-certification process in the United States. Each state establishes its own requirements for evaluating education completed outside the country.
Depending on the state, requirements may specify:
- The type of credential evaluation required
- Which credential evaluation organizations may prepare the report
- What academic information must appear in the evaluation
- Whether teacher preparation or student-teaching coursework must be identified
- Whether teaching credentials or certificates should be reviewed
- How the completed evaluation must be submitted
State-specific resources
Teacher Certification Credential Evaluation Requirements by State
Alianza maintains guidance for selected states where we regularly assist internationally educated teachers. Additional states will be added as their individual certification requirements are researched.
Arizona Teacher Certification
Learn about Arizona Department of Education requirements, including guidance regarding credential evaluation agencies and documentation.
View Arizona requirementsCalifornia Teacher Certification
Learn about CTC requirements for evaluation agencies, academic documentation, teacher-preparation credentials, and report submission.
View California requirementsFlorida Teacher Certification
Learn about Florida Department of Education requirements and the role of recognized credential evaluation agencies.
View Florida requirementsTexas Teacher Certification
Learn about Texas Education Agency requirements involving academic coursework, teacher preparation, and supporting documentation.
View Texas requirementsCommon evaluation type
What Type of Credential Evaluation Do Teachers Usually Need?
Teacher certification agencies commonly require a Course-by-Course Evaluation because they may need more than a statement of degree equivalency.
The exact requirements are determined by the state certification agency receiving your evaluation.
- U.S. educational equivalency
- Individual courses completed
- U.S. semester-credit equivalents
- U.S. grade equivalents
- Cumulative grade-point average
Before applying: review your state’s requirements or confirm directly with the certification agency which type of evaluation you need.
Prepare your records
What Documents May Be Needed?
Requirements vary by country and certification agency. Internationally educated teachers may be asked to provide the following academic and professional documents.
Alianza’s role: Alianza evaluates academic credentials and education. Professional teaching licenses or certificates may be reviewed as supporting documentation when relevant, but Alianza does not determine their validity, professional standing, or U.S. licensure equivalency.
- University transcripts or marksheets
- Diplomas or degree certificates
- Teacher-education or teacher-preparation records
- Evidence of student teaching or teaching practicum, when available
- Secondary-school records when required
- Teaching credentials, certificates, licenses, registrations, or other authorizations to teach issued outside the United States
Experience and support
Why International Teachers Choose Alianza
AICE-Endorsed Member
Alianza is an Endorsed Member of the Association of International Credential Evaluators.
More Than 20 Years of Experience
Formerly Arizona International Credential Evaluators, Alianza has provided international academic credential evaluation services since 2003.
International Teacher Experience
We regularly evaluate credentials for teacher certification, school-district employment, salary placement, and other education-related purposes.
Course-by-Course Evaluations
Detailed academic analysis commonly requested for professional certification and licensure.
English & Spanish Support
Our team provides assistance in both English and Spanish.
Applying in a State We Haven’t Listed?
The states above represent the teacher-certification resources currently available on our website. They are not a list of every state in which an Alianza evaluation may be used.
If your state is not listed, review the requirements published by your state teacher-certification agency or licensing authority before applying. You may also contact Alianza for help determining which evaluation service to order.
Ready to Start Your Teacher Credential Evaluation?
If your certification agency requires a foreign credential evaluation, apply online with Alianza. We will review your application and documentation and contact you if additional academic records are required.