Foreign Transcript Evaluation (CL-635)

Introduction

Individuals who have completed college or university course work at an institution in a country other than the United States must obtain a complete evaluation of foreign transcripts, degrees[1], and other relevant documents prior to applying to the Commission for a California credential, permit, or certificate. A detailed, course-by-course, foreign transcript evaluation is required any time foreign course work is used to meet any credential requirement, even if the foreign course work has been accepted by a college or university in the United States. The only exception to this is for those individuals applying for an Emergency 30-Day Substitute Permit, for which a general report is sufficient.

Foreign transcripts must be evaluated by one of the approved organizations provided in the list linked below in order to be accepted by the Commission. These organizations are private enterprises who charge a fee for their services. Individuals seeking a foreign transcript evaluation must follow the procedures outlined by the organization providing the evaluation. In all instances, original, official documentation will be required when requesting the evaluation.

Note [1]: The bachelor’s degree requirement for California certification refers to the equivalent of a four-year (or more) college-level program. Individuals who obtained a credential or teaching certificate in a jurisdiction outside of the United States should also submit a photocopy of that document to the evaluating agency.

Foreign Transcript Evaluating Agencies

Refer to the Commission Approved Foreign Transcript Evaluating Agencies list for agencies that have been approved by the Commission to provide evaluation of college or university course work completed at an institution in a country other than the United States.

An agency may submit a written request to the Commission to be added to the list of Commission approved foreign transcript evaluating agencies. An evaluating agency must be a current member of either the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). Refer to Coded 24-06 for details.

Additional Information

All of the listed evaluation agencies offer rush services at an additional cost. Contact the agency for more information on fees and other requirements for the evaluation.

If you are seeking a credential to teach in the public schools of California, refer to the leaflets below for specific requirements for teachers prepared outside of the United States.

• Elementary Teaching (Multiple Subject Teaching Credential) (Leaflet-871).
• Secondary Teaching (Single Subject Teaching Credential) (Leaflet-870).
• Special Education Teaching (Education Specialist Instruction Teaching Credential) (Leaflet-872).
• Day-to-Day Substitute Teaching (Emergency 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit) (Leaflet-505P).
• All Other Teaching - visit the Commission’s website.