If you earned your teaching degree outside the United States, you already know that getting certified to teach here is not as simple as handing over your diploma. Every US state sets its own rules for teacher licensure, and almost all of them require a formal credential evaluation before they will even look at your application. The good news? Once you understand the process and choose the right evaluation, you can move through it faster than you might expect.
What Is a Teaching Licensure Evaluation?
A teaching licensure evaluation is a formal review of your international academic records that translates your degree into its US equivalent. A credible credential evaluation agency examines your education and organizes the coursework into subject categories, making it easier for the licensing board to determine whether it meets their specific standards. Done this way, the evaluation answers three key questions: Does your degree match a US bachelor’s (or master’s) degree? Did you complete the right coursework for teaching? How do your grades convert to the US grading scale?
State education departments rely on these evaluations because they cannot interpret foreign transcripts on their own. Grading systems, credit structures, and degree naming conventions vary dramatically between countries. A credential evaluation agency bridges that gap by applying established methodologies to compare your education against US standards.
For teaching licensure specifically, most states require at least a course-by-course evaluation rather than a basic document evaluation. This matters because licensing boards need to see individual subjects, credit hours, and grades, not just a summary of your degree. The teacher licensure evaluation offered by IEE goes a step further, organizing the coursework so as to show the licensing board the specific subject areas into which your coursework falls.
Why Internationally Educated Teachers Need a Credential Evaluation
The United States employs roughly 8.1 million teachers, and according to the Institute for Immigration Research, about 857,200 of them are foreign-educated. That number is growing as school districts across the country face ongoing teacher shortages. According to the Learning Policy Institute, roughly 411,549 teaching positions nationally were either unfilled or filled by teachers who were not fully certified, with the worst shortages in special education, science, math, and bilingual instruction.
But here is the challenge: the US has a decentralized education system. Unlike countries with a single national teaching license, each of the 50 states (plus Washington, D.C. and US territories) controls its own certification process. There is no federal teaching license. That means an internationally trained teacher must meet the specific requirements of the state where they plan to work.
A credential evaluation sits at the center of this process. Without one, state boards have no standardized way to verify that your foreign education meets their requirements. Even if you taught for 15 years in your home country, you still need a formal evaluation to prove your academic qualifications align with US expectations.
Beyond state certification, a credential evaluation also helps you:
- Apply to US teacher preparation programs or graduate schools that may be required for certain certification pathways
- Demonstrate your qualifications to school districts and hiring committees
- Identify any gaps in your coursework that you may need to fill before applying for licensure
Teaching Licensure Boards and NACES
Because each state is responsible for regulating its own education system and licensure, the requirements regarding credential evaluations can also vary. Most states require that the evaluation be completed by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), while some may accept evaluations from the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). Some may even keep their own list of approved agencies. As a proud member of NACES, IEE is ideally positioned to be accepted by the majority of state boards for teaching licensure.
Pro tip: Before ordering your evaluation, check your target state’s education department website for the most current list of approved agencies.
Document Report vs. Course-by-Course Evaluation: Which One Do You Need?
Credential evaluation agencies offer different report types, and picking the wrong one can delay your teaching certification by weeks. Here is a breakdown of the two main options:
Document Report (General Evaluation)
A document report provides a high-level summary of your credentials. It confirms your degree title, the institution you attended, the dates of attendance, and the US degree equivalent. Think of it as the “overview” version. For teaching licensure, this report type is usually not sufficient because it does not break down your individual courses.
Course Report (Course-by-Course Evaluation)
A course report goes much deeper. It lists every course you completed, converts your grades to the US scale, calculates your GPA, and shows your credit hours. State teaching certification boards require this level of detail because they need to confirm you studied specific subjects (like child development, educational psychology, or math pedagogy) at the right academic level.
| Feature | Document Report | Course Report |
|---|---|---|
| Degree equivalency | Yes | Yes |
| Institution verification | Yes | Yes |
| Individual course listing | No | Yes |
| GPA calculation | No | Yes |
| Credit hour conversion | No | Yes |
| Accepted for teaching licensure | Rarely | Yes (required by most states) |
| Typical turnaround at IEE | 3 business days | 3 business days |
| IEE pricing | $95 | $195 |
Bottom line: If you are pursuing US teaching certification, you almost certainly need a course-by-course evaluation at the minimum. Some states also take this a step further and require a Teaching Licensure Report, which is a specialized course-by-course evaluation that organizes your coursework according to subject category, designed specifically for teaching board review. IEE offers this specialized report for $225 with a 3-day standard turnaround.
See all of IEE’s professional licensure evaluation options here.
How to Get Your Teaching Credentials Evaluated: A Step-by-Step Guide
Getting your teaching credentials evaluated does not have to be complicated. Follow these steps to move through the process efficiently:
- Identify your target state’s requirements: Visit your state’s department of education website and locate the section for foreign-trained or internationally educated teachers. Note which evaluation agencies they approve and what report type they require.
- Gather your documents: You will typically need official transcripts (sealed and issued directly by your institution), your diploma or degree certificate, and any course descriptions or syllabi if your state requires them. Some countries have specific procedures for issuing official documents, so start this step early. Check IEE’s documentation requirements tool to see exactly what you need from your country.
- Choose a NACES-approved evaluation agency: Select an agency that your target state recognizes. As a NACES member with 44 years of experience, IEE is accepted by licensing boards across the country.
- Submit your application: Create an account with your chosen agency, upload or mail your documents, and select the report type you need (typically a course-by-course evaluation or teaching licensure report).
- Receive your evaluation: Once your documents are verified, the agency completes the evaluation. At IEE, standard processing takes 3 business days. Expedited options are available if you are working against a deadline.
- Submit the evaluation to your state board: Send your completed evaluation report to your state’s education department as part of your licensure application. Many agencies, including IEE, offer electronic delivery directly to institutions.
- Complete additional requirements: Most states also require you to pass content knowledge exams (like the Praxis), demonstrate English language proficiency (if applicable), clear a background check, and sometimes complete additional coursework or student teaching.
Timing tip: The document-gathering phase is usually the longest part of this process, especially if your university is in a different country. Start collecting your transcripts before you choose an evaluation agency so you are ready to submit everything at once.
How IEE Supports Teaching Credential Evaluations
International Education Evaluations (IEE) has been evaluating foreign academic credentials since 1981. As a member of NACES, IEE’s evaluations are recognized by state education departments, universities, and employers across the United States.
Here is what sets IEE apart for internationally educated teachers:
- 3-day standard turnaround: While many evaluation agencies take 7 to 20 business days, IEE delivers standard evaluations in just 3 business days. Rush, Next Day and Same Day services are also available for those up against tight deadlines (documents must be received by 11 AM EST).
- Transparent pricing: The Teaching Licensure Report costs $225, and a Course Report is $195. No hidden fees or surprise charges.
- Specialized teaching reports: IEE’s Teaching Licensure Report organizes your coursework by subject category specifically for state teaching board requirements, making it easier for licensing officials to review your qualifications.
- 24/7 customer support: IEE is the only major evaluation agency offering round-the-clock support via chat, phone, and email. If you are calling from a different time zone, someone is always available to help.
- 44+ years of expertise: With four decades of experience evaluating credentials from education systems worldwide, IEE’s team understands the nuances of international transcripts from virtually every country.
- Electronic delivery: Your completed evaluation can be sent directly to state boards, school districts, or universities electronically, saving time on mailing.
IEE’s CEO, David Haynes, currently serves as Vice Chairperson of the NACES Standards Committee, which means IEE is not just following industry standards but actively helping to shape them.
Ready to start your teaching credential evaluation? Begin your application with IEE now.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During the Evaluation Process
Internationally educated teachers sometimes hit avoidable roadblocks during the credential evaluation process. Here are the most common ones:
- Ordering the wrong report type: A document report will not satisfy most state teaching boards. Double-check that you are ordering a course-by-course or teaching licensure evaluation.
- Using a non-approved agency: Some evaluation agencies are not NACES or AICE members, and state boards may reject their reports. Always verify that your chosen agency appears on your state’s approved list.
- Submitting unofficial documents: Most agencies require transcripts sent directly from your institution in sealed envelopes or through secure electronic channels. Photocopies or student-opened envelopes are often rejected.
- Waiting until the last minute: Gathering documents from overseas universities can take weeks or even months. Start the process as soon as you decide to pursue US teaching certification.
- Ignoring state-specific requirements: Some states require specific endorsement areas, minimum GPA thresholds, or particular coursework. Read your target state’s full requirements before ordering your evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a teaching credential evaluation take?
Processing times vary by agency. At IEE, standard evaluations are completed in 3 business days after all documents are received and verified. Expedited processing options, such as Next Day or Same Day, are also available for additional fees. Other agencies may take 7 to 20 business days for standard processing.
How much does a teaching credential evaluation cost?
Costs depend on the report type and the agency. At IEE, a Document Report is $95, a Course Report is $195, and a specialized Teaching Licensure Report is $225. Most teaching certification applicants need either a course report or teaching licensure report.
Do all US states accept NACES evaluations for teaching?
Most states accept evaluations from NACES member agencies, though some (like California) maintain their own approved evaluator list. Always check with your state’s department of education to confirm which agencies they accept before ordering your evaluation.
Can I use the same evaluation for multiple states?
In many cases, yes. If both states accept evaluations from NACES members and the report type meets both states’ requirements, you can use the same evaluation. IEE can send additional copies of your evaluation to multiple recipients. However, you should verify that your specific report type satisfies each state’s requirements.
What if my evaluation shows my degree does not meet US standards?
If your credentials fall short of a US bachelor’s degree equivalency, your evaluation report will indicate what level your education was assessed at. You may need to complete additional coursework at a US institution to bridge the gap. Contact IEE’s support team to discuss your specific situation and explore your options.
Do I need to translate my documents before submitting them for evaluation?
If your transcripts and diplomas are not in English, you will need certified translations. IEE offers translation services in 50+ languages starting at $60 per page, so you can handle both the translation and the evaluation through a single provider.
Take the Next Step Toward Your US Teaching Career
Getting your teaching credentials evaluated is the first concrete step toward a US teaching career. The process is straightforward when you choose the right evaluation agency and order the correct report type for your target state.
With IEE, you get a NACES-approved evaluation in as few as 3 business days, backed by 44 years of experience and 24/7 support. Whether you need a course report or teaching licensure report, IEE’s team can help you determine exactly what you need to move forward.
Start your evaluation with IEE today and bring your teaching career to the United States.
