Certificate/Credential for Out-of-State Candidates

Application Guidelines

This application packet is intended for those individuals who have completed a state-approved teacher certification program in another state.

NOTE: All educator preparation programs must be SBOE-approved in order for their graduates to be eligible for certification. Idaho participates in a partnership agreement with the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). All preparation programs must meet NCATE Standards in order to be considered an SBOE-approved program. The NCATE standards and a list of NCATE approved programs are available at www.ncate.org

If the applicant holds a current, valid certificate/credential/license in another state and submits a complete application, the applicant may receive a three (3)-year Idaho interim certificate (upon clearance of the background investigation check). The interim certificate will allow the applicant to work in an Idaho school in the certificated/endorsed area indicated on the interim certificate while completing any Idaho coursework and/or testing requirements. Once all deficiencies noted on the interim certificate/credential are completed, the applicant may apply for a renewable, five (5)-year initial Idaho certificate/credential.

If the initial evaluation demonstrates that the applicant meets all Idaho coursework and testing requirements, then a renewable, five (5)-year certificate/credential will be issued instead of the interim certificate.

If the applicant does not hold a valid, out-of-state certificate/credential/license but did complete a teacher certification program in another state at one time, the individual may still apply for Idaho teacher certification. A complete packet must be sent; however, the fingerprint card (for the background investigation check), the associated $40 fingerprinting fee and the copy of an out-of-state certificate are not required. An evaluation will be sent to the applicant indicating what additional coursework and/or testing would be required to qualify for Idaho certification. The evaluation will be valid for two (2) years. If the additional requirements for Idaho certification are met within two years, a five (5)-year certificate/credential will be issued at no additional fee, upon clearance of an Idaho background investigation check.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to have all required certification materials submitted together in one packet. An applicant who carefully prepares his/her application packet using the following guidelines will receive his/her certificate/credential in the least amount of time. An application will not be evaluated until all materials have been received.

A complete packet must include the following items:

1) Completed and signed application (Form B1 - Application for an Idaho Certificate/Credential)

2) Completed fingerprint card (not required for those seeking an evaluation only).
Applications must include a completed fingerprint card and the associated $40 fee. The Idaho certificate/credential will not be issued until the applicant has cleared the background investigation check.

Fingerprint cards are not available on the State Department of Education website. To obtain a fingerprint card please email Andrea Capdeville at fingerprintrequest@sde.idaho.gov. Once you receive the fingerprint card, take it to your local police department or sheriff’s office and have your prints rolled on the card. Return the fingerprint card, fee, and forms with your Idaho teacher application packet.

3) Application fee - $75
Checks and money orders are to be made payable to the State Department of Education. Credit cards are not accepted at this time. Payment is non-refundable. Cash in exact amount will be accepted for walk-ins.

$75 for the certificate/credential fee
$40 for the background investigation check (if first-time applicant for an Idaho teaching credential)

One check or money order for both fees is acceptable.

If an out-of-state applicant is requesting an evaluation only, the $75 certification fee is valid for only two (2) years. If a certificate/credential is not issued within two (2) years from receipt of the application, a new $75 fee will be required.

4) Notarized photocopy of a current and valid out-of-state certificate/credential/license. It must have the validity time period posted on its face. The notarized photocopy is not required for those seeking an evaluation only.

A notarized photocopy can be obtained by taking the original out-of-state certificate/credential/license to a notary public (available at most offices and banks). The notary public will make a copy of the document and notarize that it is a true copy of the original certificate/credential/license. If the notary refuses to sign the photocopy, write a statement indicating the photocopy is a true copy of the original certificate, sign and date the statement and request the notary to notarize your signature on the statement. Attach the statement to the photocopy and this will suffice as a notarized photocopy.

If your state does not issue hard copy certificates/credentials/licenses, include a copy printed from its website verifying your certification.

5) Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended. Grade reports, faxed material, copies, placement files or other unofficial transcripts are not acceptable for certification. Transcripts should not be submitted separately.

6) Completed Institutional Recommendation form for teachers who have less than two (2) years of experience as a certified professional (Form B2 Institutional Recommendation). If the applicant has taught for a minimum of two (2) years, an Institutional Recommendation is not required for the Standard Elementary certificate or Standard Secondary certificate; however, written verification of experience is required (see #7 below). All other certificates require an Institutional Recommendation regardless of the length of service.

An Institutional Recommendation is required for those seeking an Administrator, Pupil Personnel Services, Standard Exceptional Child or the Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Education Certificate regardless of the length of experience.

Form B2 for EC/ECSE, Elementary, Secondary, Exceptional Child or Pupil Personnel Services

Form B3 for Pre-K-12 School Principals

Form B4 for School Superintendents

Form B5 for Directors of Special Education

Form B8 for Consulting Teacher of Special Education

Form B9 for Supervisor of Special Education

7) Completed Professional Experience Report form for teachers with two or more years of experience (Form B6 Professional Experience Report). Professional experience gained while holding a teaching certificate/credential is the only experience accepted. Experience gained while student teaching and/or substituting is not accepted. If a completed Institutional Recommendation is included in the packet, experience verification is not required except for those seeking an Administrator Certificate.

Applicants for an Administrator Certificate are required to verify a minimum of four (4) years of certificated experience in a K-12 setting (Form B6 Professional Experience Report).

8) Official Praxis II assessment score sheet or notarized photocopy.
(www.ets.org/praxis for Idaho required tests)

The Praxis II requirement may be waived if the out-of-state candidate can provide verification of a baccalaureate degree in the specific content area (not applicable to Elementary), verification of a current National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certificate (not applicable to Elementary) OR provide a letter from the transferring state indicating highly qualified status (as defined by the No Child Left Behind Act) in the content area for which the person is seeking certification. National Board-certificated persons (not applicable to Elementary) and individuals who provide the transferring state letter demonstrating content competency in the area in which they are seeking certification may receive a clear five (5)-year initial certificate/credential.

The applicant may submit a completed HQT Verification Form in lieu of a letter from another state. Click this link to access the HQT Verification Form.

Interim certificates/credentials are issued for three (3) years, a cycle beginning September 1 of the year issued and expiring August 31 of the appropriate year, unless otherwise specified.

Initial certificates/credentials are issued for five (5) years, a cycle beginning September 1 of the year issued and expiring August 31 of the appropriate year, unless otherwise specified.

Mail completed application materials to:

State Department of Education
Teacher Certification
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, Idaho 83720-0027