Are my british teaching qualifications valid in the USA?

Question

I have completed a PGCE in the UK and want to teach over here in the USA. What do I need to do?

Answer 1

In the US, you have to get a teaching certificate, issued by the state you want to teach in. Contact the Board of Education in the state you are in. If you are a British citizen, you may need to get a work visa as well. Good luck.

Answer 2

Each state in the US has its own criteria. Some states accept certifications from certain other states, but there is no automatic acceptance of credentials from another country. In Massachusetts, where I taught, you would look at the requirements for certification, and ask which of your existing credits were acceptable and what remained to be done in order to for you to become certified. They would accept some or all of what you had already done. If you needed more credits, you would attend an American university to fill in what was lacking. If you know which state you want to teach in, contact the state board of education.