North Dakota Teacher Reciprocity Agreements
North Dakota offers two reciprocity paths for out-of-state teachers: an Out-of-State Reciprocal License for those without an active license elsewhere, and an Other State Educator License (OSEL) for those who already hold one. Both routes run through the state’s NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, though license terms, fees, and testing requirements differ.
Sponsored School(s)
Teachers moving to North Dakota from another state don’t have to start certification from scratch. The North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB) accepts out-of-state credentials through two distinct license paths, and which one applies to you depends on whether you already hold an active teaching license in your home state. If you haven’t started the licensing process in any state yet, our guide to North Dakota teaching certification requirements walks through the traditional path from the beginning.
North Dakota’s Two Reciprocity License Options
The Out-of-State Reciprocal License is for teachers who completed a state-approved teacher education program, including supervised student teaching, in another state but don’t currently hold an active license there. ESPB reviews your transcripts and builds a plan of study, identifying the remaining North Dakota coursework and testing you’ll need. This license is issued for two years and can be renewed twice, giving you up to five years total to complete the remaining requirements.
The Other State Educator License (OSEL) is for teachers who already hold a valid, active teaching license from another state. ESPB issues the OSEL for either two or five years, depending on your experience and licensure history. If you haven’t yet passed the exams required by the state that issued your original license, you’ll have up to two years to complete North Dakota’s testing requirements instead.
Testing and Remaining Requirements
If additional testing is required after ESPB’s transcript and credential review, applicants must complete the applicable North Dakota-approved content assessment for their transcripted subject area, such as early childhood, elementary, or middle level education. If your original teacher preparation program didn’t include a mental health competency course, North Dakota requires you to complete an approved mental health professional development course before you can be fully licensed. ESPB notifies each applicant of their specific remaining requirements after the transcript review.
NASDTEC Member States With ND Reciprocity Agreements
North Dakota is a signatory to the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement. The following states have reciprocity agreements with North Dakott:
| Alabama | Kansas | New Jersey | Utah |
| Arizona | Louisiana | New Mexico | Vermont |
| Arkansas | Maine | New York | Virginia |
| California | Maryland | North Carolina | Washington |
| Colorado | Massachusetts | Oklahoma | West Virginia |
| Delaware | Michigan | Oregon | Wisconsin |
| Florida | Mississippi | Pennsylvania | Wyoming |
| Georgia | Missouri | Rhode Island | |
| Hawaii | Montana | South Carolina | |
| Idaho | Nebraska | South Dakota | |
| Illinois | Nevada | Tennessee | |
| Indiana | New Hampshire | Texas |
How to Apply for North Dakota Teacher Reciprocity
Start your application through ESPB’s online licensure system. You’ll submit official transcripts from every institution you’ve attended, a completed background packet, a fingerprint background check, and a copy of your current out-of-state teaching license or test scores. ESPB reviews your transcripts using the same criteria applied to North Dakota candidates, then notifies you of any remaining coursework or testing.
For questions about the process, contact the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board, or call (701) 328-9641. Once your reciprocity license is active, keep track of its expiration date — see our guide to renewing your North Dakota teaching license for the renewal process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between North Dakota’s Out-of-State Reciprocal License and the OSEL?
The Out-of-State Reciprocal License is for teachers who don’t currently hold an active license in another state. The Other State Educator License (OSEL) is for teachers who already hold a valid, active license elsewhere. Which one you qualify for depends entirely on your current licensure status, not your degree or experience level.
How long do I have to complete North Dakota’s remaining certification requirements?
Under the Out-of-State Reciprocal License, you get two years initially and can renew twice, for up to five years total. Under the OSEL, your license runs two or five years, depending on your experience, with up to two additional years to pass any outstanding exams.
Do I need to take the Praxis exam for North Dakota reciprocity?
If testing is required, ESPB will specify the applicable North Dakota-approved content assessment (commonly a Praxis exam for many endorsement areas). The exact test depends on your transcripted major and licensure pathway.
Which states have reciprocity agreements with North Dakota?
North Dakota participates in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement alongside dozens of other states, including California, New York, Texas, and Washington. See the full list above to check whether your state is a current member.
How much does a North Dakota out-of-state teaching license cost?
The current application fee for the Out-of-State Reciprocal License is $85. Because fees may change, applicants should verify the current amount with ESPB before applying.
- Two license paths — The Out-of-State Reciprocal License and the OSEL serve different applicants depending on whether you currently hold an active out-of-state license.
- Up to five years to finish requirements — Reciprocal License holders can renew twice, giving them a five-year runway to complete ND-specific coursework and testing.
- ESPB reviews every applicant individually — Your remaining requirements come from a transcript analysis, not a one-size-fits-all checklist.
Select your state below to find accredited teacher certification programs, application links, and licensing requirements for your jurisdiction.
