“A Different Kind of Evaluation Service“
If you’ve earned your teaching degree outside the United States and hope to teach in an American school, one of the first requirements you’ll likely encounter is a credential evaluation.
Many state licensing agencies, school districts, colleges, and universities require internationally educated teachers to have their academic credentials evaluated before determining whether they meet U.S. licensure requirements.
For many educators, this process can feel confusing. Questions such as “Do I need a course-by-course evaluation?”, “Will my degree be accepted?”, and “What documents are required?” are common.
This guide explains the credential evaluation process, outlines what licensing agencies typically require, and provides practical tips to help you prepare a complete application. Atlas Credential Evaluations.
Why Teacher Licensure Matters
Teachers are among the most trusted professionals in every community. Because educational systems differ around the world, U.S. licensing authorities must verify that applicants have completed education comparable to U.S. standards.
A credential evaluation provides an independent academic assessment of your educational background. It helps licensing agencies understand how your foreign degree, coursework, and grades compare to the U.S. education system.
While requirements vary by state, many licensing authorities request a course-by-course evaluation when reviewing internationally educated teachers.
Important: A credential evaluation does not grant a teaching license. It is one component of the licensure process. State licensing agencies determine final eligibility and may also require examinations, student teaching experience, background checks, or additional coursework.
What Is a Course-by-Course Credential Evaluation?
A course-by-course evaluation is the most detailed type of academic credential evaluation.
Instead of only identifying your degree, it reviews each academic course completed and compares it to U.S. educational standards.
A typical evaluation includes:
- U.S. degree equivalency
- Individual course titles
- Semester credit conversions
- Grade conversions
- Overall GPA (when applicable)
- Major field of study
- Academic level
- Institution recognition
- Summary of academic findings
Because teacher licensure often depends on subject-specific coursework and educator preparation, many state licensing agencies require this level of detail.
Why Licensing Boards Request Course-by-Course Evaluations
Teacher preparation programs differ from country to country.
Some programs emphasize classroom instruction, while others focus more heavily on educational theory or subject specialization.
Licensing agencies use credential evaluations to understand:
- The level of your degree
- Total academic credits earned
- Teacher preparation coursework
- Subject-area coursework
- Student teaching experience (when documented)
- Overall academic preparation
This standardized information helps licensing reviewers evaluate applicants fairly and consistently.
Who Needs One?
You may need a credential evaluation if you earned your education outside the United States and are applying for:
- Initial teacher licensure
- Professional educator certification
- State Board of Education review
- Public school employment
- Private school employment
- Charter school positions
- Reciprocity between states
- Graduate education programs
Whether your education was completed in Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe, Middle East, or another region, the evaluation process helps bridge differences between educational systems.
Documents Typically Required
Requirements vary depending on the issuing institution and licensing agency, but applicants are often asked to provide:
- Official academic transcripts
- Diploma or degree certificate
- Teacher education credentials
- Certified English translations (if applicable)
- Identification documents (when requested)
Some institutions must send documents directly to the evaluation agency. Others may allow secure electronic transmission.
Submitting complete documentation helps prevent unnecessary delays.
Common Reasons Evaluations Are Delayed
One of the biggest frustrations applicants experience is waiting longer than expected for their evaluation.
Common causes include:
Missing Official Documents
Incomplete transcript submissions are among the most common delays.
Documents Not Sent Directly
Some licensing agencies require official documents to come directly from the issuing institution.
Translation Issues
Documents written in languages other than English may require certified translations before evaluation can begin.
Institution Verification
In some cases, additional verification with the issuing institution is necessary.
Understanding these requirements before applying can significantly reduce processing time.
How Atlas Evaluations Supports International Teachers
Atlas Credential Evaluations works with internationally educated professionals seeking teacher licensure throughout the United States.
Our teacher licensure evaluation services include:
✓ Course-by-course evaluations
✓ U.S. degree equivalency
✓ GPA conversions
✓ Credit conversions
✓ Academic report preparation
✓ Translation services
✓ Document verification (when available)
We understand that every educator’s background is unique, and our goal is to provide clear, professional evaluations that support licensing review.
The Evaluation Process
The Evaluation Process
Step 1 — Apply
Complete your application and indicate that your evaluation will be used for teacher licensure.
Step 2 — Submit Academic Documents
Provide the required official academic documents according to your institution’s requirements.
Step 3 — Evaluation
A credential evaluator reviews your educational history and prepares your academic equivalency report.
Step 4 — Receive Your Report
Your completed evaluation is delivered electronically and can then be submitted to the appropriate licensing authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a teacher licensure credential evaluation take?
Processing times vary by provider and begin once all required documents have been received. Atlas offers both standard and expedited processing options.
Is a course-by-course evaluation always required?
Not always. Requirements vary by state and licensing authority. Many Boards of Education request a course-by-course evaluation because it provides detailed information about completed coursework.
Can Atlas translate my transcripts?
Yes. Atlas offers certified translation services for academic documents submitted in languages other than English.
Can Atlas verify my academic documents?
Yes. Document verification services are available for many institutions and countries. Availability depends on the issuing institution.
Does a credential evaluation guarantee teacher licensure?
No. A credential evaluation is an assessment of academic credentials. The licensing authority determines whether additional requirements; such as exams, supervised teaching, or background checks, must be completed.
Tips for a Faster Evaluation
- Request official transcripts early.
- Confirm your university’s document submission process.
- Submit certified translations if needed.
- Double-check application information before submitting.
- Respond promptly to requests for additional documentation.
Taking these steps can help avoid unnecessary delays.
Why Choose Atlas Evaluations?
Choosing a credential evaluation provider is an important step in your professional journey.
Atlas Evaluations is committed to providing:
- Experienced credential evaluators
- Friendly customer support from real people
- Course-by-course evaluations for teacher licensure
- Fast turnaround options
- Translation services
- Document verification (where available)
- Clear, professionally formatted reports
Our mission is to simplify the evaluation process so internationally educated teachers can focus on reaching their career goals.
Start Your Teacher Licensure Journey
If you’re preparing to apply for teacher licensure in the United States, obtaining a professional credential evaluation is often one of your first milestones.
Atlas Evaluations is here to help guide you through the process with clear communication, experienced evaluators, and services designed for international educators.
Ready to begin?
Visit Atlas Credential Evaluations to start your application or contact our team to discuss your credential evaluation needs.