Foreign Trained Applicants Teacher Certification
Questions?
Submit a question to OSPI.
Foreign-trained applicants who completed a program in another country must submit documentation verifying the equivalency of their program, as demonstrated by both the degree requirement and program requirement below:
- Foreign Trained Teacher Requirements
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Degree Requirement
Documentation verifying the equivalency of their degree, as demonstrated by either:
- A document-by-document transcript evaluation review performed by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, the Academic and Credential Records Evaluation and Verification Services, Association of International Credential Evaluators, INC., GEO Credential Services or Institution of Foreign Credential Services.
A document-by-document evaluation will meet the degree and program requirements if form 4030 is NOT completed and submitted (See program requirement below).
OR - A transcript from an accredited U.S.college or university indicating acceptance of your degree as equivalent to theirs.
Program Requirement
Foreign-trained applicants who completed a program in another country must submit documentation verifying the equivalency of their program, as demonstrated by either:
- Form 4030 completed and signed by a representative from the college/university where you completed your training.
OR - If unable to obtain Form 4030, submit a course-by-course transcript evaluation review performed by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, the Academic and Credential Records Evaluation and Verification Services, Association of International Credential Evaluators, INC. or Institution of Foreign Credential Services. (The course-by-course evaluation will serve to verify both your degree requirement and program equivalency requirement).
OR - May be considered for Washington certification if they have held a regular teacher certificate issued by another state within the U.S. and have taught at the P-12 level outside of Washington for at least three years. (Foreign-trained applicants who use experience and a certificate in lieu of program completion must submit Form 4020F-1 to verify experience and submit a copy of their regular out-of-state teaching certificate.
Additional Requirements
- Must take a basic skills test (WEST-PESB-approved proved alternative).
- Must pass a content area test for each endorsement sought (WEST-E or PESB PESB-approved native). Must submit copies of score reports for any test being used for certification. Teacher Testing
- Submission of fingerprints for a background check is required if a valid certificate is not already on record
Transcript Evaluation NOTE: Transcripts submitted from Canada and all US Territories DO NOT require a transcript evaluation for equivalency. - A document-by-document transcript evaluation review performed by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, the Academic and Credential Records Evaluation and Verification Services, Association of International Credential Evaluators, INC., GEO Credential Services or Institution of Foreign Credential Services.
- Foreign Trained ESA Applicant Requirements
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Foreign Trained ESA Applicants
Applicants who completed the required degree outside of the United States must submit documentation verifying the equivalency of the required degree in addition to other requirements for the ESA certificate in the respective role.
Degree Requirement
Documentation verifying the equivalency of their degree, as demonstrated by either:
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A document-by-document transcript evaluation review performed by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, the Academic and Credential Records Evaluation and Verification Services, Association of International Credential Evaluators, INC., GEO Credential Services or Institution of Foreign Credential Services.
OR - A transcript from an accredited U.S. college or university indicating acceptance of your degree as equivalent to theirs
Program Requirement
Foreign-trained applicants who completed a preparation program specific to the ESA role for serving in PK-12 schools (ages birth to eighteen years) outside the United States may submit documentation verifying the equivalency of their program, as demonstrated by either:
- Form 4030 completed and signed by a representative from the institution where you completed your preparation program. (This would not be a degree-only program.)
OR - Form 4098E (school counselor or school psychologist role) completed and signed by a representative from the institution where you completed your preparation program. (This would not be a degree-only program.)
OR - Form 4099E (school nurse, school occupational therapist, school physical therapist, school social worker, school speech-language pathologist, or audiologist) completed and signed by a representative from the institution where you completed your preparation program. (This would not be a degree-only program.)
OR - Form 4020F-1 to verify three or more years of experience in the role outside of Washington State. If an educational certificate was required for serving in the role in PK-12 schools, applicants must also submit a copy of the certificate.
Those with the appropriate degree equivalent but not a preparation program or appropriate out-of-country/state experience specific to PK-12 school service may be required to complete a Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board-approved ESA course within one year of application submission.
Transcript Evaluation NOTE: Transcripts submitted from Canada and all US Territories DO NOT require a transcript evaluation for equivalency. -
Apply
If you have all necessary documentation to apply for this certificate, login to: E-Certification
Please note that application fees are NOT refundable. Ensure that you select and submit the correct application. If you have questions regarding your application, please contact our office.