Reciprocity and Acceptance of Teaching Certificates Across State LinesNASDTEC Interstate Contract --- Most states have signed the Interstate Contract, in order to make it easier and more efficient for licensed educators from one state to become credentialed to work in another state where they move and establish residence. Forty-four states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico have currently signed the Interstate Contract for teacher certification. According to the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC), which administers the reciprocity agreement: "The NASDTEC Interstate Contract is an agreement which facilitates the movement of educators among the various states and other jurisdictions which have signed the contract. Although there are conditions applicable for each jurisdiction, the Contract allows an educator certificate or license in one state or jurisdiction to be accepted for certification in another state or jurisdiction. For example, a professionally certified Alabama teacher generally will be given a certificate in Georgia, with certain special state conditions imposed by Georgia, the receiving state. Of course those conditions imposed by the receiving jurisdiction vary. If you are certified in one state and seek reciprocal certification under the terms of the NASDTEC Interstate Contract, contact the certification office in the intended receiving jurisdiction." The following jurisdictions have signed the NASDTEC Interstate Contract for teacher certification:
NCATE -- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education --- Some states accept individuals who completed teacher preparation in another state at an institution of higher education whose teacher preparation program has been accredited by NCATE. NERC -- Northeast Regional Credential --- New York and the six New England states -- Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont -- have joined together in the Northeast Compact, and they have agreed to recognize the NERC. A person who is awarded a teaching certificate in any of the seven states may apply for and be awarded the Regional Credential, which (with some limitations as to the subject areas for which the NERC will be accepted in some of the states) will be recognized in any of the other participating states. MOINKSA (Missouri, Oklahoma, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota, and Arkansas) Agreement --- In the Midwest, seven states have joined to cooperate in this regional exchange agreement. Through the agreement, each state's respective minimum standards are protected, but the teacher applicant is guaranteed an initial two-year license in the receiving state. |
