Certificate/Credential for Out-of-State Candidates
Application Guidelines
This application packet is intended for those individuals who have a current, valid certificate/credential/license in another state or for those seeking an evaluation only.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to have all required certification materials submitted together in one packet. An applicant who carefully prepares their application packet using the following guidelines will receive their 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 results of the criminal
history background check are received from the BCI/FBI. A card verifying eligibility
for certification will be issued if the applicant meets all academic requirements
for certification. Possession of this card will allow a person who is academically
eligible for certification to pursue employment as an Idaho educator pending results
of the criminal history check. A fingerprint card is not required for those seeking
an evaluation only.
Fingerprint cards are not available on the State Department of Education website. Please contact Shannon Haas at (208) 332-6888 or Cathi Day at (208) 332-6883 for further information regarding fingerprint requirements and to obtain the fingerprint card and instructions.
3) Application fee - $75
Checks and money orders are to be made payable to State Department of Education.
Credit cards are not accepted. Payment is non-refundable. Cash in exact amount will
be accepted for walk-ins.
$75 for the certificate/credential fee
$40 for the fingerprinting/criminal history background 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.
5) Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended. Grade reports, faxed material, copies or other unofficial transcripts are not acceptable for certification purposes. Transcripts should not be submitted separately. Placement files are not accepted.
6) Completed Institutional Recommendation form for teachers if applicant has less than two years of experience as a certified professional (Form B2 Institutional Recommendation). A completed Institutional Recommendation is required for Exceptional Child Certificates, regardless of the length of experience.
7) Completed Professional Experience Report form if applicant has two or more years of experience. If a minimum of two years of teaching experience is verified, an Institutional Recommendation is unnecessary. 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 (Form B6 Professional Experience Report). The Professional Experience Report is not required for those seeking an evaluation only.
8) Other Institutional Recommendations required for Administrators, Pupil Personnel Services and Exceptional Child Certificates
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).
An Institutional Recommendation is not required for those seeking an evaluation only.
9) Praxis II assessment score sheet or notarized photocopy (if applicable).
(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 current National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certificate
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. NBPTS persons and individuals who provide the transferring
state letter demonstrating content competency in the area they are seeking certification
will receive a five (5)-year initial certificate/credential. You may use the following
form to verify highly qualified status:
HQT Verification Form
An applicant will receive a three (3)-year Idaho interim certificate if the application packet is complete (pending results of the fingerprinting/criminal history background check). Complete packets must include the appropriate fees, notarized copy of the valid out-of-state certificate(s), the completed and signed application and Idaho fingerprint card. The applicant is then eligible 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 (i.e., Praxis II testing) indicated on the interim certificate evaluation. If the initial evaluation demonstrates all Idaho coursework and testing requirements have already been met then a renewable five (5)-year initial Idaho certificate/credential will be issued.
IMPORTANT: All deficiencies noted on the interim certificate/credential must be completed before the renewable five (5)-year initial Idaho certificate/credential will be granted.
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