Out-of-Country Teacher Candidates

The state of Texas allows prospective teachers who currently hold a valid teaching certification in other countries to be able to submit verification of their current credentials to qualify for Texas teacher certification. 

Individuals who hold all 3 of the following may apply for a review of out-of-country credentials through TEA:

1. The equivalent of a bachelor’s degree granted by an accredited institution of higher education in the United States.
2. Completed an educator preparation program, including a teaching practicum.
3. Hold an appropriate educator certificate or credential issued by another country.

The TEA OUT-OF-COUNTRY APPLICATION CHECKLIST can be used to guide you through the entire process.

Based on BCISD’s District of Innovation (DoI) exemption through TEA, individuals who do not meet all three of the above requirements may still apply if they meet one of the following criteria:

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution of higher education, OR
• Have their credentials evaluated by an organization that is a member of the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE) or the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) and vetted by TEA, with a determination of Recommended U.S. Equivalency of a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher.