There are three certification/licensure pathways that Relay educator preparation program completers may use to obtain a teaching certificate/license depending on the program that they completed, the state in which they were located while enrolled, and the state in which they are seeking certification/licensure. See Professional Licensure Disclosures for more information.
- State-Approved Program (Direct): Relay’s Educator Preparation Programs (EPP) are designed to meet educational requirements for certification/licensure in the state in which the program is approved. Relay offers state-approved educator preparation programs in the following states: Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and the District of Columbia. Specific program offerings and certifications/endorsements available vary by state. Students who complete a state-approved program and wish to be certified/licensed in the state where the program is approved may apply or be recommended by Relay directly for certification/licensure in these states.
Students who are interested in teaching in a different state upon completion of one of Relay’s educator preparation programs may pursue program completion reciprocity or certification/licensure reciprocity by following the processes established by the state agency governing certification/licensure in the state where the student wishes to teach. Some states may require additional testing or coursework requirements before issuing a teaching certificate/license based on reciprocity. Relay supports program completers through the reciprocity process by providing verification of program completion and related documentation for students upon request.
- Out-of-State Program Completion: Some states offer the opportunity for individuals who completed an out-of-state educator preparation program to apply for certification/licensure in the state without first obtaining a teaching certificate/license in the state where their program was approved. States typically require that the out-of-state program is comparable (i.e., leads to a similar subject/grade band) to programs leading directly to certification/licensure in their states. Out-of-state program completers must often complete additional requirements such as testing and coursework before they can be issued a certificate/license. Students located in and completing clinical experiences in Tennessee [1], Georgia, and Rhode Island apply for certification/licensure in these states as out-of-state program completers.
- Out-of-State Certification/Licensure Reciprocity: Many states offer a process for certified/licensed teachers to apply to transfer their out-of-state certificate/license in a comparable subject area/grade level to a certificate/license in their state. States may not accept all certificates/licenses and may not have reciprocity with all states. States may require that out-of-state certified/licensed teachers have a certain number of years of experience in the state where their certificate/license originated, or that they complete additional testing or coursework to be eligible for a certificate/license transfer.
States set requirements for certification/licensure, reciprocity, and equivalent certificates/endorsements, and will make all determinations related to issuing or denying applications for certification/licensure. State rules and regulations are subject to change and students are encouraged to review current certification/licensure requirements and application processes of the states where they intend to be certified/licensed by contacting the agencies overseeing teacher preparation in the states where they intend to be certified/licensed or reviewing published information on their websites.
[1] Relay has applied for in-state provider status in Tennessee. Approval pending State Board of Education vote in July 2022.