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Out-of-State Reciprocity

Out-of-state reciprocity is the path for those who complete a state-approved educator preparation program (EPP), or have a teaching certificate, in another state.

Guidelines

Certification Areas Eligibility and Guidelines

See the FAQs below

FAQs: Out-of-State Reciprocity

  • Yes, if you have fulfilled program requirements for that state, and if Oklahoma has a comparable certification area.
  • Standard, Professional, and equivalent class certificates/licenses, where program requirements have been completed, are accepted.
  • Provisional, Emergency, Temporary, and equivalent class certificates/licenses are not accepted for reciprocity.
  • Some states issue an Initial certificate/license where the only missing requirement (sometimes listed as a deficiency) is experience teaching in that state. Email TeacherCertification@sde.ok.gov with a copy of your certificate if you are unsure if your Initial certificate/license can be accepted for reciprocity.

  • A PDF of your digital certificate/license will be accepted. If their system doesn’t provide a PDF, a screenshot will also be accepted (though it still must be converted to PDF format). The state, educator’s name, certificate areas, certificate dates, type/class of certificate, and any deficiencies (if applicable) must be visible and legible.

  1. Complete a certification or dual background check (if not currently certified in Oklahoma). Instructions are available here.
  2. Order official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended to be sent directly from the university to TeacherCertification@sde.ok.gov.
  3. Apply online in OECS through the Educator Application Wizard for Out-of-State Reciprocity. You will be required to upload a copy of your out-of-state teaching certificate during the application process.
  4. Once your application has been processed, a certificate (or advisement letter) will be issued in OECS and available in the Print History tab. You will receive an email notifying you when something is available to view.

  • No, not for the area(s) reciprocated. Testing and/or coursework may be required for any areas that could not be reciprocated or for new areas you wish to add.

  • No, Oklahoma does not require other state certificates to be forfeited to receive a reciprocal certificate.

  • Yes, if all coursework requirements were met and the college education department (or state education agency) can verify this information. For many programs, this includes a student teaching requirement.
  • In place of providing an out-of-state certificate/license, you will have the State Approved Program form completed by the education department at the college where you completed the EPP (or the state education agency). This will be uploaded during the online application process.
  • All required Oklahoma certification assessments must be passed to be eligible.
    • The Oklahoma approved subject area test is required for all possible areas.
    • An Oklahoma approved professional education assessment (APK/PPAT/OPTE) is required for most areas. 

  •  If Early Childhood, Elementary Education, or Special Education were granted on your Oklahoma certificate through reciprocity, then Early Childhood and/or Elementary Education can be added after passing the Oklahoma subject area test.
  • Secondary/PK-12 areas, inlcuding Special Education, can be added after passing the Oklahoma subject area test. If the professional education assessment (APK/PPAT/OPTE) is not required in Oklahoma for the area(s) received through reciprocity, then it must be passed prior to adding these areas.

  • Teaching credit can be granted only for out-of-state/country teaching experience obtained in an accredited school system while holding valid certification or its equivalent. For the purpose of state salary increments and retirement, no teacher shall be granted credit for more than five (5) years of out-of-state/country teaching experience.
  • Visit the School Personnel Records office webpage or email schoolpersonnel@sde.ok.gov with any questions about teaching experience record requirements.

  • No. Electronic transcripts will only be accepted if sent directly from the university to the Oklahoma State Department of Education.
  • After you have an OECS account, place a new official transcript order with TeacherCertification@sde.ok.gov as the direct recipient.
  • Most colleges use Parchment or Student Clearinghouse to send digital transcripts.

  • No. All applications for Out-of-State Reciprocity are now online.
  • Apply online in OECS through the Educator Application Wizard.

  1. Create a Single Sign-On (SSO) account to access the Oklahoma Educator Credential System (OECS).
  2. If you have never submitted an application to Teacher Certification before, Step 3 will ask, “Would you like to access your Oklahoma certification records?” You must select the third option and enter your full social security number to create an SSO log in AND an OECS file. If you receive a red banner stating that a record already exists, then you will select the second option to link your new SSO log in with your existing OECS file.
  3. Once you are in your SSO account, click EDU-Educator under Oklahoma Educator Credentialing System.
  4. Then click Educator Application Wizard.
Last Modified on Jan 08, 2026
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