Certification Based on Credentials from Another Country

Individuals who meet all three of the following criteria may apply for a Review of Credentials through the Texas Education Agency (TEA):

  1. Hold the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
  2. Have completed an educator preparation program, including a teaching practicum.
  3. Possess a valid and active teaching certificate or credential issued by another country.

The pathway for individuals certified from other countries is simplified to provide efficiency and ease of process for applicants.

Application Requirements and Review Process

To apply for a Review of Credentials, your application must include the following:

  1. Completed Application & Fee
    • Submit the official Review of Credentials application form.
    • Pay the required application fee.
  2. Course-by-Course Evaluation
    • Obtain an original detailed report or course-by-course evaluation for professional licensing of all college-level credits and educator credentials earned outside the United States. The evaluation must:
      • Verify that you hold, at a minimum, the equivalent of a bachelor's degree issued by an accredited institution of higher education in the United States, including the date the degree was conferred;
      • Verify completion of an educator preparation program, including a teaching practicum; and
      • Be prepared by a foreign credential evaluation service recognized by TEA staff.
    • Applicants may select a foreign credential evaluation service of their choice. Recognition of the evaluation service is determined by TEA staff during the credentials review process based on whether the evaluation complies with the requirements of 19 TAC §245.10 and provides sufficient information to evaluate the applicant's academic preparation and educator credentials. If the evaluation does not contain the information necessary to determine degree equivalency, educator preparation, or teaching credential status, TEA may require additional documentation before the credentials review can be completed.
  • On the evaluation request form, specify “Texas Education Agency” as the recipient.
  • The evaluation must be:
    • Signed by an authorized representative of the evaluation service.
    • Sent directly by the evaluation service to OSC75@tea.texas.gov.
      Do not send evaluations by U.S. mail. Waiting for paper-based materials to arrive by mail further delays processing. Submissions from applicants will not be accepted.

English Language Proficiency

  • All applicants must demonstrate English proficiency
  • Visit the English Language Proficiency webpage for accepted methods to meet the requirement.

Applicants should allow 6 to 8 weeks for processing. Please do not send documents to TEA by U.S. mail. To help guide you through the credentials review process, refer to the detailed checklist below, which outlines each step and the required documentation.

View Detailed Checklist

Fingerprinting and Social Security Number Requirement

Before your Texas educator certificate can be issued, you must complete the fingerprinting process for a background check. To begin the process, you will need to have a valid Social Security number (SSN).

If you do not already have an SSN, you must obtain one before proceeding.  For information on how to apply, visit the Social Security Administration website.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • You must apply for a review of credentials if you are seeking certification in Texas and you hold a teaching credential from another country. A detailed checklist can be used to guide you through the entire process.

  • No. You must submit an original course-by-course evaluation by a recognized foreign evaluation service. The list of recognized foreign evaluation services can be found on this page in the Application Information section above. Completed evaluations must be emailed by the service provider to OSC75@tea.texas.gov.  Evaluations should not be sent via U.S. mail.

  • Please apply as an out-of-state applicant and you will submit an original course-by-course evaluation by a recognized foreign evaluation service.   

  • You do not qualify for a review of credentials. If our division is unable to complete a review of credentials, individuals interested in obtaining a certificate in Texas may have to complete requirements through one of our approved educator preparation programs.

  • If you did not complete a program in another country, including student teaching, you do not qualify for a review of credentials. If our division is unable to complete a review of credentials, individuals interested in obtaining a certificate in Texas may have to complete requirements through one of our approved educator preparation programs.

  • If you do not have at least a bachelor’s degree, you do not qualify for a review of credentials. If our division is unable to complete a review of credentials, individuals interested in obtaining a certificate in Texas may have to complete requirements through one of our approved educator preparation programs.

  • Individuals who hold the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree granted by an accredited institution of higher education in the United States, who have completed an educator preparation program, including a teaching practicum, and who hold an appropriate educator certificate or credential issued by another country may apply for a review of credentials.

  • Without a standard teaching certificate, you are not eligible for a review of credentials. We do not review transcripts, degree level or completion of program coursework. If our division is unable to complete a review of credentials, individuals interested in obtaining a certificate in Texas may have to complete requirements through one of our approved educator preparation programs.

  • Please review the information on the English Language Proficiency webpage.