Foreign Teacher’s Credential Evaluation: What International Educators Need to Know
April 24, 2026
If you completed your education outside the United States and plan to teach, a Teacher’s Course Analysis (TCA) — also known as a foreign teacher’s credential evaluation — is a required step before you can obtain licensure or employment at most U.S. schools and institutions.
This guide explains what a TCA is, what the process involves, and how The Evaluation Company (TEC) can help you meet U.S. requirements.
What Is a Foreign Teacher’s Credential Evaluation?
A foreign teacher’s credential evaluation is an official assessment that translates your international academic credentials into recognized U.S. equivalents. It allows U.S. licensing boards, school districts, and employers to verify that your education meets their standards.
Without an evaluation, institutions have no standardized way to assess qualifications earned abroad — which can delay or prevent your path to teaching in the United States.
Who Needs a Foreign Teacher’s Credential Evaluation?
You likely need a foreign teacher’s credential evaluation if you:
- Completed your degree or teaching qualification outside the United States
- Are applying for a U.S. state teaching license or certification
- Are seeking employment at a U.S. school, college, or university
Requirements vary by state and institution, so confirming the specific evaluation type required before applying is recommended.
What Does TEC’s Teacher’s Course Analysis Include?
Each evaluation includes:
- U.S. degree equivalency — your foreign degree translated into its closest U.S. academic equivalent
- Course-by-course breakdown — a detailed review of each subject studied, including credit hours and level of course taken
- Categorized coursework — your coursework grouped into different subject areas
- GPA conversion — your academic performance expressed on the U.S. grading scale
- Official documentation — formatted for direct submission to licensing boards, schools, and universities
All evaluations are completed by experienced, U.S.-based evaluators to ensure accuracy and institutional acceptance.
Is TEC’s Evaluation Accepted in the United States?
TEC is a proud member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) — the leading accreditation body for credential evaluators in the U.S. NACES membership signals to institutions that an evaluation meets rigorous professional standards.
TEC evaluations are widely accepted by:
- State teaching licensing boards
- Colleges and universities
- K–12 school districts
- Employers requiring credential verification
If your institution or licensing board requires a NACES-affiliated evaluator, TEC meets that requirement.
What Documents Are Required for a Teacher’s Course Analysis?
To process your Teacher’s Course Analysis, TEC requires:
- Official academic transcripts from each institution attended
- Proof of degree or diploma completion
- Verification from your previous institution
If your documents are not in English, TEC also provides certified translation services.
All documents are submitted and managed through a secure application, with real-time status tracking throughout the process.
How Does the Teacher Credential Evaluation Process Work?
TEC’s application process is designed to be straightforward:
- Submit your application online at TEC’s website
- Upload your academic documents through the secure application
- Select a Teacher’s Course Analysis as your evaluation type
- Track your progress in real time through the status checker
- Receive your completed evaluation digitally
Standard turnaround time is 10 business days. Expedited processing is available if you need your evaluation sooner.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Teacher’s Course Analysis take? TEC’s standard turnaround time is 10 business days from the receipt of all required documents. Expedited options are available for faster processing.
Is a NACES evaluation accepted for state teaching licensure? Most U.S. state licensing boards require or strongly prefer evaluations from NACES-member organizations. TEC is a NACES member, making our evaluations suitable for licensure applications across the country. Requirements vary by state, so checking with your specific licensing board is advised.
What if my documents are in a language other than English? TEC provides certified translation services for documents not in English. Translations are completed in tandem with the evaluation process.
How much does a Teacher’s Course Analysis cost? TEC’s standard turnaround time of 10 business days is priced at $290. Expedited options are available at $400 for 5 business days and $575 for 2 business days.
Start Your Teacher’s Course Analysis
A credential evaluation is often the first and most important step toward teaching in the United States. TEC is here to make that step as smooth and straightforward as possible.
If you are ready to move forward, or simply want to understand your options, TEC can help you present your international credentials with clarity and confidence.
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