Arizona Teacher Certification for Foreign-Educated Teachers
If you completed college or university education outside the United States, ADE may require a foreign credential evaluation for your Arizona teaching certificate.
Start here
Do I Need a Foreign Credential Evaluation?
You may need one if you are using education completed outside the United States to meet Arizona teacher-certification requirements. ADE determines which requirements apply to each applicant.
This may include applicants who earned a degree or completed teacher preparation abroad, completed both U.S. and foreign education, are entering an alternative-certification pathway, or are using foreign coursework to satisfy degree, subject-area, endorsement, or other certification requirements.
Essential information
Arizona Evaluation at a Glance
What evaluation do I need?
Course-by-Course Evaluation for Arizona Certification
For major Arizona teacher-certification pathways using foreign education, ADE requires a course-by-course foreign credential evaluation.
The report provides detailed information about your foreign education, including U.S. academic comparability of the degree and individual coursework. When supported by the records, it may also identify relevant teacher preparation and student teaching.
Official ADE approved-agency listWhat documents do I need?
Documents for an Arizona Teacher Evaluation
Applicants should generally provide complete documentation of relevant postsecondary education. Depending on your education and certification pathway, Alianza may request additional records.
- Degree certificates or diplomas
- Academic transcripts or statements of marks
- Teacher-training coursework records
- Student teaching, practicum, internship, or supervised-teaching records when applicable
- Certified English translations when required
- Foreign teaching credential, certificate, or license when available
Important document rule
Official or Authenticated Academic Records
ADE requires Arizona certification evaluations to be based on official or authenticated educational records.
- You may upload copies first so Alianza can review your case.
- Scans or photocopies alone may not satisfy ADE requirements.
- Alianza will tell you if additional official or authenticated records are needed and how to provide them.
Official delivery
Alianza Can Submit Your Evaluation Directly to ADE
Once your evaluation is complete, Alianza can email an electronic copy directly to the Arizona Department of Education Certification Unit at no additional charge. You will also receive your own electronic copy.
You remain responsible for completing your Arizona certification application and providing any other documents required by ADE.
Certification context
Arizona Has More Than One Path for Internationally Educated Teachers
Being educated outside the United States does not automatically mean you are applying for Arizona’s International Teaching Certificate.
International Teaching Certificate
Designed for qualifying teachers in international teacher-exchange programs who are authorized to work in the United States under qualifying immigration status. The evaluation may need to document an appropriate degree, teacher preparation, certification-area preparation, and relevant student teaching.
Other Arizona Certificates
Eligible applicants may pursue Standard Professional, Alternative Teaching, Substitute, Career and Technical Education, or other certification areas. ADE may require an evaluation when foreign education satisfies degree or coursework requirements.
Teacher preparation
Student Teaching and Practicum Documentation
For Arizona’s International Teaching Certificate, ADE considers whether the applicant completed an appropriate teacher-preparation program that included student teaching.
If your transcript clearly identifies student teaching, practicum, internship, clinical practice, or another supervised teaching experience, Alianza can report relevant information when appropriate. If it does not, helpful records may include university letters, program-completion documents, subjects or grade levels taught, and the duration of supervised teaching.
Teaching experience alone should not be assumed to replace required teacher preparation or student teaching. ADE makes that determination.
Arizona evaluation answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alianza approved by the Arizona Department of Education?
Yes. Alianza Academic Evaluations is listed by name on ADE’s current Approved Foreign Credential Evaluation Agencies list.
What kind of evaluation does Arizona require for teachers?
For major Arizona pathways using foreign education, ADE generally requires a course-by-course evaluation.
Does Arizona require official foreign transcripts?
Arizona requires the evaluation to be based on official or authenticated educational records. You may upload copies initially; Alianza will advise if additional official records are needed.
Is my foreign teaching license enough for Arizona certification?
Generally, no. A foreign teaching license does not by itself establish Arizona eligibility. ADE may separately consider education, preparation, coursework, student teaching, examinations, fingerprint clearance, and other requirements.
Does my student teaching need to appear in the evaluation?
For the International Teaching Certificate, student teaching is particularly important. Alianza may request additional documentation if the academic records do not clearly show supervised practice.
Is the International Teaching Certificate required for everyone with a foreign degree?
No. It is one specific pathway. Other Arizona certification pathways may apply depending on the applicant’s preparation and circumstances.
What should J-1 or international teacher-program applicants know?
The evaluation addresses the academic-credential portion of the process. It does not replace sponsor requirements, school responsibilities, qualifying immigration status, fingerprint clearance, placement requirements, or ADE review.
Can Alianza send my evaluation directly to ADE?
Yes. Alianza can email the completed evaluation directly to the ADE Certification Unit at no additional charge.
Does Alianza determine whether I qualify for an Arizona certificate?
No. Alianza reports U.S. academic comparability. The Arizona Department of Education makes the final certification decision.
How much does the evaluation cost?
Alianza’s Course-by-Course Evaluation is $225. Rush processing, translations, or other optional services may have separate fees.
Ready to Move Forward with Your Arizona Teacher Certification?
Alianza can prepare your course-by-course evaluation and send the completed report directly to ADE.