5 Steps to Get Your

U.S. Teaching Certification

Becoming a U.S. certified teacher is easier than you may think — even while teaching abroad!
With the five manageable steps below and ongoing support from the experts at Moreland
University, you can earn your license from Washington, D.C. (which we recommend for those
planning to teach outside the United States). If you plan to teach within the U.S., ask our
admissions representatives about state-specific certification requirements and resources. Either
way, your path to teaching excellence with a U.S. teacher certification has never been clearer.

1 Obtain a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college

or university 4 YEARS
Most U.S. teaching certifications require a four-year bachelor’s degree, which does not
have to be in the field of education. To find out if your international degree is equivalent to
a U.S. four-year bachelor’s degree, order an independent review prepared by a transcript
evaluation agency.

2 Complete a teacher preparation program

If your bachelor’s degree is not in education, you will need to complete a teacher preparation
program, which ensures you have the necessary skills and knowledge to qualify as a teacher.
Here are two great options for earning a U.S. teaching license from anywhere in the world:

9 MONTHS
Complete a 9-month certification
program
Completing a certification-only teacher
preparation program may be the quickest
and most affordable option to becoming a
certified teacher in the U.S.
Offered 100% online, Moreland University’s
TEACH-NOW nine-month preparation
program is trusted by teachers worldwide.
With monthly start dates and supportive
and collaborative learning environments,
the TEACH-NOW program is ideal for
international teachers looking to level
up their careers with a U.S. teaching
certification.
12 MONTHS
Complete a 12-month Master’s program
Another option to getting your U.S. teaching
certification is to earn a master’s degree in
education.
AS LITTLE AS
Moreland University’s online Master’s in 9 MONTHS
Education is a flexible, fully accredited
certification preparation program and full
master’s degree that can be completed in as
little as 12 months — completely online. With
six specializations to choose from, guidance
from practicing teachers, and multiple start
dates throughout the year, you’re sure to
find a right-fit option to take your career
forward.

You’ll also need to engage in a supervised clinical practice to get your U.S. teaching
certification through Washington D.C. This involves hands-on teaching experience in your
classroom or in a school in your local community. There is no need for Visas or traveling to
the U.S. to complete this requirement, and this is included in Moreland University’s programs.

3 Demonstrate your subject knowledge

To obtain a U.S. teaching certification through Washington D.C., you’ll need to demonstrate
proficiency in the subject area(s) you wish to teach. This can require providing evidence of
coursework and expertise in the desired subject(s) and/or passing exams, like the ones below, VARIES
to demonstrate your content knowledge and teaching abilities.

✓ Basic Skills Test or ✓ Praxis Subject ✓ Praxis Principles of

Praxis Core Assessment Learning and Teaching (if
applicable to the subject
and grade level licensure
you are seeking)

Note: The exact exams and additional requirements may vary depending on the specific teaching certification
area you are pursuing.

4 Complete a background check

You’ll also need to undergo a criminal background check, which includes
VARIES
fingerprinting, to obtain your U.S. teaching certification (a standard requirement for
teacher certification in the United States). You do not need to travel to the U.S. for
this requirement as it can be completed from your current location.

5 Apply for & obtain your teaching license

Upon successful completion of the above steps, you can apply for teacher certification in
Washington D.C. through the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) Educator
Credential Information System (ECIS) portal. With your application, include all necessary
documentation, such as transcripts, exam scores, and proof of completion of a teacher
preparation program.

8 - 10
To get your U.S. teaching certification through Washington D.C., required documents
include: WEEKS

✓ Official bachelor’s transcript ✓ A clear criminal background check

✓ Non-U.S. bachelor’s degree transcript ✓ A Program Completion Verification form

evaluation (if applicable) (F-1)

✓ Official transcripts ✓ Completed application along with

payment of non-refundable processing fees
✓ Passing scores on the required Praxis (approximately $50)
exams for your chosen grade level and
subject area

Let Moreland University help you become a certified teacher in the U.S.
Specific requirements for teacher certification in the U.S. may vary based on the type of certification, the grade
level or subject area you intend to teach, or specific state (if teaching within the United States). To find out
which requirements are unique to your career path, schedule a free no-obligation conversation with a Moreland
University admissions representative.

LEARN MORE REQUEST INFO CONNECT WITH US

EMAIL admissions@moreland.edu CALL +1 (844) 283-2246 WEBSITE www.moreland.edu