If the next stage of your teaching career is taking you to another state, the good news is you shouldn’t have to start the certification process from scratch.
Most states will recognize your Texas teacher certification through a reciprocity agreement.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that becoming credentialed to teach varies by state. While you may hold teaching credentials in Texas, you may have to meet additional requirements in the state you wish to teach.
Below we’ll explore what reciprocity agreements are and which states offer them, as well as what you should keep in mind when evaluating reciprocity agreements.
Reciprocity is an agreement between two states that allows candidates who have a teaching license from another state to earn a license in the state they wish to teach. These agreements are critical for states experiencing teacher shortages because they allow states to attract qualified candidates even though their licensing requirements may differ.
Although most states have reciprocity agreements in place, few provide full reciprocity. Instead, teachers are typically given a temporary license, allowing them to accept a position and begin teaching. However, applicants are required within a certain timeframe (usually a year) to fulfill any additional license requirements.
In Texas, for example, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) requires those who hold a standard teaching certification from outside the state to apply for a review of credentials. If approved, teachers are issued a one-year, non-renewable certificate.
During this year of eligibility, a candidate is certified to teach in Texas. However, to apply for a standard certificate at the end of this one-year period, teachers must submit any documentation that would approve them for exemption of required tests or complete the tests required to earn a standard certificate.
Several states have similar requirements, with some requiring additional coursework and others requiring passage of subject tests or licensing exams.
For teachers who are certified in Texas but wish to teach in a different state, one of the first places to check is the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC).
This interstate agreement is a centralized coordination effort that provides guidelines on the types of teacher certifications each state accepts from other states. NASDTEC was established to improve communication among states so that if a teacher is certified in one member state and wants to teach in another member state, the transfer process is much easier.
The good news is, as of 2025, all 50 states are part of the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement. Joining all 50 states are the District of Columbia and Guam as well. Keep in mind, however, that each state still has its own requirements for teaching license reciprocity. The NASDTEC simply eases the certification reciprocity process because it allows agencies to easily check an applicant’s license status.
For example, this agreement means each "receiving" state will issue a form of authorization allowing a certificate holder from another state to legally teach as long as the sending state's license is acceptable under the agreement. There may be conditions attached, such as whether the teacher must complete additional requirements before a certain time limit. We'll talk more about this below in the next section.
If you’re considering accepting a position in another state, you can also check to see if there are any regional agreements in place. Some states enter into agreements with adjacent states as a way to streamline certification requirements in the region.
When looking at reciprocity agreements between Texas and another state, it is important to understand that not all agreements offer full reciprocity. In other words, although you may have a Texas teaching certificate, you may still be required to fulfill training requirements in another state before you can get a standard certificate.
In fact, according to the Texas Education Agency, Texas does not have automatic reciprocity with any other state. This means the state does not automatically accept an out-of-state teaching certificate to gain your standard certificate in Texas. TEA will instead conduct a credentials review to determine whether your certification, teaching experience and exams align with Texas standards.
Even if you hold a valid standard certificate in another state, you must still apply for Texas certification and you may be required to complete additional exams unless you qualify for a test exemption.
This is one example of how Texas handles incoming teacher applicants from other states, so it's important to check with the education department located in the state where you are potentially moving if you're considering leaving a school in Texas.
Also, keep in mind that different states offer different types of teaching certificates. If you have an advanced or specialized certification in one state, that certification might not be recognized in another state.
For example, the state of Colorado offers two licensing levels … initial and professional. An out-of-state applicant must meet a certain level of experience in order to qualify for a professional license.
Lastly, if you are a service member or military spouse, some states provide special reciprocity or other forms of support. For example, many states will expedite out-of-state license applications for service members or military spouses. Other states, such as Alabama, will even offer a one-year emergency certificate for individuals while they complete certification requirements.
If you are looking for a teaching position or are offered a position in another state, one of the first steps you should take is to contact the state licensing board to inquire about the most up-to-date reciprocity rules.
If you have earned your teaching certificate in Texas through an alternative certification program, a high-quality program like ECAP should be able to help provide you as well with some resources to assist you on this next step in your teaching journey.
Topics: Becoming A Teacher
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