Disclaimer: This information is provided only as an overview. All programs, processes and/or fees are subject to
change. Please verify above information with appropriate agency or governing agency.
Ohio Department of Higher Education - December 2017
Overview of Ohio Licensing Process for
Foreign Educated Teacher
Ohio Department of Education: Foreign Education
Teacher certification for foreign-educated teachers and foreign-certified teachers varies based on state
guidelines. In Ohio, college coursework completed outside the United States requires a course-by-
course analysis from an approved international credential evaluation service. The Ohio Department of
education is able to utilize credential evaluations from any of the following organizations:
Evaluation Service
American Education Research Corporation
Foreign Credits, Inc.
Academic & Credential Records Evaluation &
Verification Service (ACREVS)
Globe Language Services
Educational Credential Evaluators Inc.
Institute of Foreign Credential Services
Educational Perspectives
International Education Research Foundation
Educational Records Evaluation Services
Josef Silny and Associates
World Education Services
Translate all required documentation into English prior to submitting to the Ohio Department of
Education.
Contact an approved international credential evaluation service and request a course-by-course
credential evaluation on any coursework completed outside of the United States.
Complete the state and federal background check and fingerprinting process through WebCheck;
locations are provided on the Ohio Attorney General’s website
. Please tell the agency you use to send
the results to the Ohio Department of Education.
Determine which Ohio teaching license you will pursue. For more information, visit the ODE Teacher
License Overview.
Create
a SAFE account and register an Educator Profile. For instructions, view the Help Guide.
Disclaimer: This information is provided only as an overview. All programs, processes and/or fees are subject to
change. Please verify above information with appropriate agency or governing agency.
Ohio Department of Higher Education - February 2020
Upload the following required documents to My Documents:
Course-by-Course Credential Evaluation Report: In lieu of official transcripts: please upload the
course-by-course credential evaluation report conducted by an approved international credential
evaluation service (listed above). The Ohio Department of Education cannot accept grade
reports, photos/photocopies of transcripts or unofficial transcripts. Before uploading this
report, please see the following requirements:
Date of course-by-course evaluation must be visible.
Include all pages of report (front and back).
Create one PDF file per report (if there are multiple pages, do not upload pages separately).
Upload reports from multiple evaluation services separately, if applicable (i.e. each report
should be one PDF file).
Employer verification of teaching experience, including years of experience and
content/grade levels taught
Verification of any completed licensure exams
Submit payment for your licensure application. Click HERE to view the schedule of fees.
Track the progress of your online application. Log into your SAFE account to learn where your
application is in the review process. On the CORE dashboard, click on the Status button. On the
My Applications screen, you will see a note about your application in the Status column.
Begin the Application Process: Log in to your SAFE account, select ODE CORE, click on New
Application, and then click Apply for a New License, Permit, or Certificate. Select Teachers and from
that drop-down menu, select the type of license for which you are applying. For detailed instructions,
view the My Educator Profile handbook.
NOTE: Processing time may vary, depending upon the complexity of license requests, completion time
for requirements such as background checks, and the sheer volume of requests at any one time. The
Ohio Department of Education will send you email notifications at several points about your application:
1. an acknowledgement that you submitted it; and
2. a notice that your application was either:
•
approved and issued;
•
placed on hold; or
•
declined.
If you have questions, contact the Ohio Department of Education Office of Educator Licensure toll-free
at 877-644-6338 or e-mail educator.licensure@education.ohio.gov.
