Ways to Serve
- State and Territorial Teacher Certification Benefits
State and Territorial Teacher Certification Benefits
Some states and territories allow people interested in obtaining a teaching certification to use Peace Corps service to meet some of the certification requirements.
Teacher certification in nearly all 50 states and territories can be pursued along two primary routes:
- Traditional certification programs
- Alternative certification methods
Traditional certification programs for each state require aspiring teachers to fulfill mandatory requirements at an acceptable teacher preparation program, usually hosted by an accredited college or university within that state. Acceptance of Peace Corps teaching service by a specific teacher preparation program remains at the discretion of that college or university.
Some states also offer alternative certification routes toward licensure, which frequently involve preparing a teacher portfolio.
This information was accurate as of August 7, 2023, but these regulations do change frequently. Please use the contact information provided to confirm.
Alabama
Through the certificate reciprocity approach, Alabama recognizes valid professional educator certificates issued by other states, the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories, or the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) as the basis to offer professional certification in Alabama.
The certificate(s) presented must be at a degree level, in a teaching field or instructional support area, and at a grade level in which Alabama offers comparable certification.
Teaching experience will be considered by the certification program.
334-694-4900
Alaska
All applicants who are new to the teaching profession or are new to teaching in Alaska must apply for Initial teacher certification.
To qualify an applicant must meet the following requirement: has never held an Alaska teacher certificate, holds a current, valid out-of-state teacher certificate (out-of-country certificate will not be accepted), that will be current and valid at the time the applicant’s contract for instructional services begins in an Alaska public school district.
This certificate will be valid for one year and can be reissued for two one-year extensions.
Teaching experience can be applied to credits depending on the program.
907-465-2800
American Samoa
Teaching experience may be applied by a school towards the necessary credits to earn a teaching license, however it varies by program.
(684) 633-5237
Arizona
Peace Corps teaching experience and coursework/training of “two years of full-time teaching," can be submitted and confirmed in an official letter from the Peace Corps equivalent of a district supervisor for certification.
602-542-4367
Arkansas
Peace Corps service could possibly be applied towards the Provisional Professional Teaching License which is issued to an experienced professional for the purpose of teaching on a part-time or full-time basis as teacher-of-record in an Arkansas public middle and high school.
501-682-4475
California
Peace Corps teaching experience may be accepted in lieu of the teacher preparation program requirement for the elementary (Multiple Subject Credential) or high school/middle school (Single Subject Credential).
Teaching Credential Via Peace Corps Experience (CL-535) (ca.gov)
(888) 921-2682
Colorado
Individuals who completed teacher preparation programs at colleges and universities outside Colorado and who are applying for their first Colorado teacher license may demonstrate content competency.
Alternative Teacher License: for those that demonstrate content knowledge for the subject area they will be teaching via:
- degree in the content area.
- 24 semester hours of specific coursework in the content area (as verified on an official transcript); or
- a passing score on the Colorado State Board of Education-approved PRAXIS exam.
303-866-662
Connecticut
In obtaining a CT Educator certification/license, educators who have completed the equivalent of two school years of full-time teaching in the grade level and subject appropriate to the endorsement requested may waive the planned program requirement. However, all coursework, degree, testing and any experiential requirements must still be met.
“Statement of Successful Professional Experience” would have to be signed by someone in the Peace Corps. The schools taught at during the Peace Corps must be accredited schools in country of service and volunteer must have been a teacher of record at that school.
STATEMENT OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: ed_126.pdf (ct.gov)
860-713-6969
Delaware
Selected universities will count Peace Corps service towards the coursework completion requirements. Educators must have completed relevant coursework at a university.
302-857-3388
District of Columbia
D.C.’s one-year provisional credential provides DC teachers with a pathway to a credential, while simultaneously requiring successful demonstration of basic skills prior to its issuance.
This credential is valid for one year from the date of issuance. It is non-renewable and available only to individuals who have never previously held an initial or a standard DC teacher credential.
202-727-6436
Florida
Florida’s Reciprocity for out-of-state teachers and administrators offers two routes to qualify for the Professional Certificate: (1) valid standard certificate issued by another state, or (2) certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).
If you no longer hold a certificate from another state or NBPTS Florida’s Temporary Certificate is the next option.
Peace Corps experience and language proficiency can also be used to demonstrate Mastery of Subject Area Knowledge or meet Subject Specialization.
800-445-6739
Georgia
Peace Corps teaching experience does not apply to traditional certification; however, the state provides alternative certification routes for individuals with a bachelor’s degrees and specific expertise/experience in certain fields, including foreign language.
800-869-7775
Guam
Information not available.
671-735-2554
Hawaii
Peace Corps teaching experience can count toward certification if it is approved by a Hawaiian university overseeing the preparation program or if the RPCV previously held a license in a different state.
808-586-2600
Idaho
Idaho requires the completion of a teaching program before granting a license. Individual programs may accept Peace Corps service towards their requirements.
208-332-6882
Illinois
Several universities are participants of the Illinois Peace Corps Fellowship Program.
- 782-4321
Indiana
Peace Corps teaching experience can be applied towards Indiana licensing if the RPCV already has an out-of-state license.
317-232-9010
Iowa
Teaching experience while in Peace Corps cannot be applied toward teacher licensing; you must be enrolled in a teacher preparation program.
515-281-3605
Kansas
Teaching experience while in Peace Corps cannot be applied toward teacher licensing.
785-296-2288
Kentucky
Peace Corps Experience can be applied to Option 1 of certification: Documentation of Exceptional Work Experience for Teaching Grades P-12.
For Candidates outside of Kentucky, the state also accepts recommendations from a state approved teacher preparation program or a state-approved alternative training. Cases are evaluated on an individual basis.
(502) 564-5846
Louisiana
Peace Corps teaching experience cannot be applied toward traditional teacher certification. If an RPCV wishes to pursue an alternate route to certification, credit for Peace Corps teaching will be based on the policies of the specific college/university overseeing the certification program.
- 453-2721
Maine
Maine provides three pathways to certification: (1) Approved Teacher Prep Program, (2) Transcript Analysis, or (3) Out of State Applicant
Applications received without having attended a formal education preparation program must have multiple transcripts with the requirements.
Individuals may receive a reciprocal professional certificate who has submitted to a criminal history background check and holds a comparable certificate in another state, the District of Columbia, a United States territory, or another country only to address the identified staffing shortage.
207-624-6600
Maryland
Peace Corps teaching experience may be applied towards Maryland teacher certification if RPCV is previously certified from another state. In Maryland, Peace Corps service is considered equivalent to any other out of state teaching experience. If the RPCV has not been previously certified, then Peace Corps teaching experience will not count for reciprocity.
(410) 767-0412
Massachusetts
Through the Massachusetts and Peace Corps Educator Licensure Initiative, RPCVs are specifically eligible to obtain an emergency license and begin a teaching career in the Commonwealth.
This emergency teaching licenses are valid for one calendar year and can be extended for up to an additional two years by demonstrating progress towards getting a non-emergency license.
781-338-6600
Michigan
Teacher licensure requires completion of a Michigan teacher preparation program at a particular college or university. Credit for RPCV would depend on the decision of that college/university, which may accept experience in lieu of student teaching, but on a case- by-case basis including the fast-track program.
(517) 241-5000
Minnesota
Peace Corps experience may be used to meet requirements depending on the tier of the license being applied for and the details of the volunteer’s service.
(651) 539-4200
Mississippi
Mississippi teacher certification does not credit Peace Corps service, but it may be possible to negotiate some credit in an alternative route program through a specific college/university.
(601) 359-3483
Missouri
Peace Corps teaching experience is not creditable toward licensure in Missouri.
(573) 751-4212
Montana
Peace Corps teaching experience is not creditable toward licensure in Montana.
(406) 994-4761
Nebraska
Peace Corps teaching service is not creditable as the Department of Education accepts only teacher experience in the Department of Defense (DOD) or in an American approved school.
- 471-2295
Nevada
Experience credit for Peace Corps service would be up to the discretion of the college/university overseeing education credits or the teacher certification program.
702-486-6458
New Hampshire
If Peace Corps teaching service demonstrates and documents at least three months of “full time teaching” with an employer reference, then an RPCV can utilize “Alternative 3” of the NH Department of Education certification system. Through this alternative, the RPCV creates a portfolio to take before an oral review board. The RPCV’s experience must be comparable to the subjects/ages that they wish to teach in New Hampshire.
(603) 271-3494
New Jersey
Peace Corps teaching service is creditable toward experience credit for permanent licensure, but only if the RPCV already holds a New Jersey teaching license.
(609) 376-3500
New Mexico
If an RPCV enters a program in New Mexico to complete the required teaching coursework, that program may accept Peace Corps service as credit towards a requirement.
(505) 827-1436
New York
Peace Corps service is creditable to licensure under the Individual Evaluation Program with submittal of an abstract detailing where the RPCV was teaching, what subject he or she was teaching, etc., to be evaluated by the Office of Teaching Initiatives. A university may also waive its student teaching component for RPCVs.
(518) 474-3901
North Carolina
Peace Corps service is creditable to licensure if the volunteer was in fact positioned as a teacher, working at least 20 hours a week, and properly documented. This would be filed on “Form E” for verification of K-12 teaching experience.
Residency Pathway: Individuals entering the profession with a bachelor’s degree, but no pedagogical training must affiliate with an educational preparation program (EPP) to meet the requirements of the license.
800-577-7994
North Dakota
Peace Corps service could be creditable towards certification of an interim emergency licensure for teacher shortage if the RPCV has a baccalaureate degree in her prospective teaching subject area, and if he or she could both prove completion of clinical practice under mentorship and complete education coursework at an approved university.
(701) 328-9641
Northern Mariana Islands
Peace Corps teaching experience can be used for certification depending on level of licensure.
670-237-3051
Ohio
Alternative Resident Educator License: in this alternative program RPCVS must submit official transcripts with a completed evaluation request application. The Department will provide an evaluation, outlining the initial requirements.
The accredited college at which the RPCV hopes to fulfill the standard preparation program could potentially recognize the RPCV teaching hours from the Peace Corps.
(614) 466-3593
Oklahoma
Peace Corps volunteer service is credible along the alternative certification program. An RPCV who has never completed a teacher education program but has at least a baccalaureate degree and a major in a field of study that corresponds to one of the specified certificate areas may apply for the Alternative Placement Program.
Peace Corps teaching instruction can thus fulfill the required 2 years of work experience in the subject area of specialization. RPCV must then pass Oklahoma testing requirements and a review panel.
GUIDELINES AND ELIGIBILTY FOR THE ALTERNATIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM (1).pdf (ok.gov)
(405) 521-3337
Oregon
Oregon along with the traditional route to licensing provides the Restricted Teaching License which is issued to qualified individuals who have a minimum of at least a bachelor's degree and who have substantial preparation in the subject matter in their teaching area but have not completed a teacher preparation program.
The Reciprocal Teaching License is issued to teachers who have completed an educator preparation program and hold an active and valid non-provisional teaching license from another state.
(503) 378-3586
Pennsylvania
Experience credit for Peace Corps service would be up to the discretion of the college/university overseeing education credits, student teaching, and the teacher certification program.
(717) 783-6788
Puerto Rico
Peace Corps teaching service is not creditable toward licensure in Puerto Rico. Note that there are no teaching certificate programs available in Puerto Rico. However, the territory will accept certificates from any other state in the country.
(787) 759-2000
Rhode Island
Peace Corps service is honored provided that the grade level of the RPCV’s instruction corresponds appropriately to the certification desired. Peace Corps teaching service thus waives the “student teaching requirements,” as the RIDE accepts 2 years of teaching service with an official statement of service.
Credential Review is another alternative which allows eligible individuals to pursue RI certification by following a differentiated program of study (determined by a consortium institution or RIDE).
Reciprocity is also offered as an option to obtaining a Rhode Island license.
401-222-4600
South Carolina
Under the Program of Alternative Certification for Educators (PACE), a RPCV can submit Peace Corps teaching service for the program requirement of two years prior full-time work experience.
(803) 896-0325
South Dakota
South Dakota offers out of state reciprocity options in which documentation of field experience is required.
(605) 773-3134
Tennessee
The Tennessee teacher license preparation program requires completion of student teaching requirements through an accredited college/university. This college/university might make allowances for Peace Corps full time teaching service based on the subject area and grade level taught.
(615) 741-1763
Texas
Experience credit for Peace Corps service would be up to the discretion of the college/university overseeing education credits or the teacher certification program.
(512) 936-8400
U.S. Virgin Islands
Teaching experience is not listed as a requirement towards certification.
(340) 772-4144
Utah
With a standard renewable educator license from another jurisdiction (i.e.-state, country) you can apply for a Utah Educator License.
Peace Corps teaching experience can be used for the Verification of Educator Experience form.
(801) 538-7500
Vermont
An RPCV pursuing Vermont’s alternative licensure route by “Peer Review” might be able to utilize Peace Corps teaching service to fulfill teaching experience requirements.
Peace Corps service is also creditable towards license renewal. License renewal requires completed credits, and Peace Corps service can satisfy up to 2/3 of these credits.
802-828-2933
Virginia
Peace Corps service could be submitted under the Career Switcher: Alternative Licensure Program to fulfill 2 out of 3 years of the professional work experience requirement.
Other Licensures requires the completion of the completion of a teacher preparation program.
(800) 292-3820
Washington
Washington provides full and limited certificates with a completed out-of-state teacher preparation program.
(360) 725-6400
West Virginia
Educator Licensure in West Virginia requires the completion of an approved educator preparation program whether that be an in/out-of-state program which is valid towards West Virginia’s Initial Professional and Initial Alternative Teaching certificate.
(304) 558-7010
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Licensure mandates completion of a state or out of state approved traditional/alternative educator preparation program.
(800) 266-1027
Wyoming
The Traditional Route to Licensure in Wyoming whether that is in/out-of-state requires the completion of a teacher preparation program.
If you obtained an out of state license through an alternative method, you may be eligible for licensure in Wyoming if you have taught 3 out of the last 6 years in the state where you are fully licensed. Verification of full-time teaching, administrative or other school experience must be signed by the respective school administrators.
Please review the specific information pertaining to Exception Authorizations options for individuals who have not met all the requirements for full licensure but may still be eligible to teach.
307-777-7291
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