Idaho Teacher Reciprocity Agreements
Idaho teacher reciprocity works through a 3-year Interim Certificate issued to out-of-state teachers who hold a valid teaching certificate in a state that participates in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement. Interim certificate holders must pass any required Praxis exams and complete an Idaho Comprehensive Literacy course before renewing into a 5-year Initial Certificate. Master’s degree holders and National Board Certified Teachers may qualify for content-area exam waivers.
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Idaho accepts teaching certificates from 46 other states through the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, but reciprocity doesn’t mean an automatic transfer. Out-of-state applicants first receive a temporary Interim Certificate, then complete Idaho-specific requirements before earning full licensure. The Idaho State Department of Education (SDE) oversees the entire process, from application through background checks and exam verification. If you’re not sure reciprocity is the right path for your situation, our Idaho teacher certification overview covers every certification route in the state.
How Idaho Teacher Reciprocity Works
Applicants who currently hold a valid teaching certificate in an NASDTEC Interstate Agreement member state qualify for Idaho’s Interim Certificate. This certificate is valid for 3 years and lets you teach in an Idaho public school while you complete any remaining state-specific requirements. It’s not a permanent license. Idaho expects Interim Certificate holders to finish coursework and testing requirements and convert to a 5-year Initial Certificate before the interim period ends.
Applicants who completed an educator preparation program at a school not accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) or the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) still apply as out-of-state candidates, but the SDE may request additional documentation of their program’s requirements.
NASDTEC Member States That Qualify for Reciprocity
Idaho has signed reciprocity agreements with the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement member states listed below. NASDTEC membership itself doesn’t guarantee an active bilateral agreement with Idaho, and state participation can change, so confirm your specific state’s status with the Idaho SDE before applying.
| State | State |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Nebraska |
| Arizona | Nevada |
| Arkansas | New Hampshire |
| California | New Jersey |
| Colorado | New Mexico |
| Connecticut | New York |
| Delaware | North Carolina |
| Florida | North Dakota |
| Georgia | Ohio |
| Hawaii | Oklahoma |
| Illinois | Oregon |
| Indiana | Pennsylvania |
| Kansas | Rhode Island |
| Kentucky | South Carolina |
| Louisiana | South Dakota |
| Maine | Tennessee |
| Maryland | Texas |
| Massachusetts | Utah |
| Michigan | Vermont |
| Mississippi | Virginia |
| Missouri | Washington |
| Montana | West Virginia |
| Wisconsin | Wyoming |
Praxis Exam Requirements for Out-of-State Teachers
Idaho requires Praxis Subject Assessments for candidates seeking standard elementary, standard secondary, or standard exceptional child/early childhood certification. If you have already passed an equivalent content exam in your prior state, the SDE reviews your scores during the application process rather than requiring a full retest in every case.
Idaho waives the Praxis content exam for applicants who hold a master’s degree with a concentration in their certification content area, or who hold current National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification in that content area. Everyone else should plan to sit for the relevant Praxis Subject Assessment before their Interim Certificate converts to an Initial Certificate.
Converting an Interim Certificate to a Full Initial Certificate
Interim Certificate holders teach under a state board-approved mentor program and need two years of successful evaluations during the 3-year interim period. Idaho also requires the Comprehensive Literacy Course (ICLC) before renewal, and candidates in certain endorsement areas, such as All Subjects (K-8), mathematics, Exceptional Child Education, Blended Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Education, or an Administrator certificate, also need the Teaching for Mathematical Thinking course. Once you finish these requirements, the mentor program, and any outstanding Praxis exams, the SDE converts your Interim Certificate into a 5-year, renewable Initial Certificate. From there, you’ll follow the same process as any Idaho teacher when it’s time to renew, so it’s worth reviewing how to renew your Idaho teaching certificate ahead of your first renewal cycle.
If your out-of-state certificate expires before you finish Idaho’s requirements, you won’t be able to renew your Interim Certificate through the standard reciprocity path. In that situation, ask the SDE whether an alternative route, such as the state’s Comprehensive Basic Teacher Education (ABCTE) program, applies to your certification area.
Application Steps and Background Check Requirements
Out-of-state applicants submit a completed Idaho Educator Certificate Application along with verification of their current teaching certificate and official transcripts from their teacher preparation program. The application fee is $75, payable by check or money order to the Idaho Department of Education (credit cards aren’t accepted, though exact cash is accepted for walk-ins). The SDE also requires three separate background checks: a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) fingerprint check, a search of the Statewide Sex Offender Registry, and a review by the Idaho State Police Bureau. You can request a fingerprint card by mail from the SDE or get fingerprinted in person at a local police department or sheriff’s office.
Because reciprocity applications involve document verification and multiple background checks, build in extra time before you plan to start teaching. For current requirements, visit the Idaho State Department of Education’s Certificate for Out-of-State Applicants page or call (208) 332-6882.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Idaho have full teacher certification reciprocity with other states?
Not automatically. Idaho grants a 3-year Interim Certificate to teachers certified in a NASDTEC member state, but you still need to complete Idaho-specific requirements, including the Comprehensive Literacy course and any outstanding Praxis exams, before converting to a full Initial Certificate.
How long is Idaho’s Interim Certificate valid?
The Interim Certificate is valid for 3 years. You need to finish Idaho’s remaining requirements and apply for your Initial Certificate before it expires.
Do I need to retake the Praxis exam to teach in Idaho?
It depends on your certification area and background. Idaho reviews out-of-state Praxis scores during the application process and waives the requirement for applicants with a relevant master’s degree or current NBPTS certification. Everyone else typically needs to pass Idaho’s required Praxis Subject Assessments.
What if my out-of-state certificate expires before I finish Idaho’s requirements?
You may not be able to renew your Interim Certificate through the standard reciprocity path. Contact the Idaho State Department of Education to ask whether one of Idaho’s alternative certification programs applies to your situation.
What if my state isn’t on Idaho’s reciprocity list?
NASDTEC membership doesn’t automatically mean Idaho has an active reciprocity agreement with every member state, and the list can change over time. If you don’t see your state listed, contact the Idaho State Department of Education directly to confirm your options, including whether an alternative certification route applies.
- Reciprocity means a temporary certificate, not an automatic license — out-of-state teachers first receive a 3-year Interim Certificate, not permanent licensure.
- Reciprocity depends on your specific state — Idaho’s agreements are with NASDTEC member states, but not every member state has an active bilateral agreement with Idaho, so confirm your state’s status with the SDE.
- Praxis waivers exist — a relevant master’s degree or NBPTS certification can waive Idaho’s Praxis content exam requirement.
- Conversion requires coursework — the Idaho Comprehensive Literacy course (and sometimes a Mathematical Thinking course) is required before your Interim Certificate becomes a 5-year Initial Certificate.
- Background checks take time — Idaho requires FBI, sex offender registry, and state police checks, so start your application well before your planned start date.
Select your state below to find accredited teacher certification programs, application links, and licensing requirements for your jurisdiction.
