Internationally Prepared Educator

Internationally trained applicants who completed a program in another country must submit documentation verifying the equivalency of their program, as demonstrated by both the degree and program requirements below.

Teacher

Degree Requirement

Documentation of ONE of the following options below, verifying the equivalency of the degree: 

• Option 1: A transcript evaluation performed by a member of the:

  • National Association of Credential Evaluation Services
  • Academic and Credential Records Evaluation and Verification Services
  • Association of International Credential Evaluators, INC.
  • GEO Credential Services
  • Institution of Foreign Credential Services* 
• Option 2: A transcript from an accredited U.S. college or university indicating acceptance of your degree as equivalent to theirs

Program Requirement

Documentation of ONE of the following options below, verifying the equivalency of the program: 

• Option 1: Foreign Credential Evaluation completed and signed by a representative from the college/university where you completed your training (4030-Foreign Trained Teacher Recommendation)

• Option 2: Submit a course-by-course transcript evaluation review performed by the:

  • National Association of Credential Evaluation Services
  • Academic and Credential Records Evaluation and Verification Services
  • Association of International Credential Evaluators, INC.
  • Institution of Foreign Credential Services
• Option 3: Submit a copy of a full, regular teaching certificate issued by another state (valid or expired) AND three years of out-of-state teaching experience (4020F-1-Experience Verification)

 Additional Requirements

• Must take a basic skills test (WEST-B or a PESB-approved alternative)
• Must pass a content area test for endorsement sought (WEST-E/NES or approved alternative)
  • Teacher Testing Assessments
• Submit fingerprints for a background check if you do not already have a valid Washington certificate on record

Educational Staff Associate

Degree Requirement

Applicants who completed the required degree outside the United States must submit documentation verifying the degree's equivalency, in addition to other requirements for the ESA certificate in the respective role.

Documentation of ONE of the following options below, verifying the equivalency of the degree: 

• Option 1: A transcript evaluation performed by a member of the:

  • National Association of Credential Evaluation Services
  • Academic and Credential Records Evaluation and Verification Services
  • Association of International Credential Evaluators, INC.
  • GEO Credential Services
  • Institution of Foreign Credential Services
• Option 2: A transcript from an accredited U.S. college or university indicating acceptance of your degree as equivalent to theirs

Program Requirement

Documentation of ONE of the following options below, verifying the equivalency of the program:

• Option 1: Foreign Credential Evaluation completed and signed by a representative from the institution where you completed your preparation program
  • This would not be a degree-only program (4030-Foreign Trained Teacher Recommendation)
• Option 2: Verification of school counselor or school psychologist program completion, filled out and signed by a representative from the institution where you completed your preparation program
  • This would not be a degree-only program (4098E-Psychologist and Counselor Program Completion Verification)
• Option 3: Verification of other ESA role program completion, filled out and signed by a representative from the institution where you completed your preparation program
  • This would not be a degree-only program (4099E-Other ESA Roles Program Completion Verification)
• Option 4: Submit a copy of a full, regular teaching certificate issued by another state (valid or expired) AND three years of out-of-state teaching experience (4020F-1-Experience Verification)

Preparation Program Requirement

If you have the required degree but did not complete a preparation program or do not have appropriate PK–12 school service experience (including out-of-state or out-of-country experience), you may need to complete a Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB)–approved ESA course within one year of applying.

See the ESA First-Time Applicant page for role-specific details.

Additional Requirements

•  See the ESA First-Time Applicant page for additional role-specific requirements.

International Exchange or Visiting Teachers

A Conditional Teacher certificate may be issued to someone admitted to the United States as an exchange or visiting teacher. The former Nonimmigrant Exchange Certificate is now part of the Conditional Teacher Certificate.

​​Additional Information

• First-time applicants in Washington state
• Submit fingerprints for a background check if you do not already have a valid Washington certificate on record
• U.S. Visas/U.S. Department of State

Transcript Evaluation Services

OSPI accepts translation services from members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Institute of Foreign Credential Services. (Excluding Canada)

Visit the NACES website for information about membership requirements and evaluation standards.