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Governor Whitmer signed into law Public Act 110 of 2023 and Public Act 111 of 2023 which expand reciprocity and support experienced educators in becoming certified or recertified in Michigan. These are effective July 27, 2023, and website guidance has been updated accordingly.
Michigan has signed an Interstate Compact Agreement (ICA) with every state agreeing to accept out-of-state teacher preparation programs and teaching certificates on a reciprocal basis for initial certification. However, the terms of the agreement address both traditional teacher preparation programs and alternative route teacher certification programs and each certificate and/or program must be evaluated under the terms of this agreement. Teacher preparation programs and teaching certificates from other countries and federally recognized Indian tribes are accepted for endorsements Michigan offers assuming the educator applies and submits documentation verifying all certification requirements are met. For additional guidance, please view the video Selecting and Completing Teacher Certification Programs from Other States.
Out-of-state certification programs and credentials may differ from Michigan programs and credentials; however, under the ICA, the Michigan Department of Education attempts to match out-of-state certificates, grade levels and content endorsements, as closely as possible.
To determine reciprocity under the ICA, an evaluation must be completed. For this to happen, an application must be submitted using the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS). MOECS will determine the certificate type (standard or professional) being applied for based on answers to the application questions. Accurate responses and supporting documentation are required. Reciprocity notwithstanding, Michigan certification is not guaranteed, and ancillary state requirements exist in Michigan law (e.g., testing).
The Standard Teaching Certificate now includes a Career and Technical (CTE) endorsement (if applicable) for those seeking certification based on completion of an approved out-of-state teacher education and career technical education program.
An applicant who has completed an approved teacher preparation program including student teaching in another state, country, or federally recognized Indian tribe can submit an application to be evaluated for certification.
OR
An applicant who has completed an alternative route teacher certification program in another state, country, or federally recognized Indian tribe and holds a valid or expired, standard teaching certificate issued based on completion of that program can submit an application to be evaluated for certification. This is not applicable to applicants who have temporary, preliminary, or interim teaching certificates from other states, countries, or federally recognized Indian tribes.
Source: NASDTEC Interstate Compact Agreement signed in accordance with Teacher Certification Code R 390.1130 Reciprocity
After an evaluation of application documents, the applicant will be notified per a MOECS evaluation letter as to whether they will need to complete any Michigan Tests for Teacher Certification (MTTC).
Three (3) years of successful teaching experience matching the validity of their standard teaching certificate from another state, country, or federally recognized Indian tribe since it was initially issued may be accepted in lieu of the test.
Source: Section 1531(2) of Public Act 451 (1976) as amended, MCL 380.1531(2)
If the applicant holds a valid, standard teaching certificate from another state, country, or federally recognized Indian tribe, the applicant can be issued a nonrenewable Temporary Teaching Certificate (TTC) that authorizes their employment in a Michigan school for one year. The applicant can be employed as a teacher for a year while working to pass the required tests. Additional time for testing is allowable, but without TTC validity. The TTC is a part of the Standard Teaching Certificate application. If you qualify for the TTC, it will automatically be issued during your Standard Teaching Certificate evaluation.
Source: Section 1531(13) of Public Act 451 (1976) as amended, MCL 380.1531(13)
If an applicant who has completed an out-of-state approved teacher preparation program and holds a valid or expired, standard teaching certificate from that state, country, or federally recognized Indian tribe and meets all the requirements for the Professional Teaching Certificate they can be evaluated for the Professional certificate as their initial Michigan teaching certificate.
Applicants who qualify for the Professional certificate as their initial Michigan certificate are not required to test.
The applicant must have three (3) years of successful teaching experience matching the validity of their standard teaching certificate from another state, country, or federally recognized Indian tribe since it was initially issued.
The applicant must hold a valid or expired standard certificate from another state, country, or federally recognized Indian tribe in the subject area(s) and grade levels for which they are seeking Michigan certification.
The applicant must have six (6) semester credit hours of reading methods if elementary certified or three (3) semester credit hours of reading methods if secondary certified.
Source: Teacher Certification Code R 3903.1133, Rule 33(c).
Applicants who meet all of the Professional Teaching Certificate requirements, except for the reading methods requirement, can be issued a nonrenewable Temporary Teaching Certificate (TTC) that authorizes their employment in a Michigan school for one year. The Professional Teaching Certificate will be issued after receipt of an official transcript verifying the reading credits if the educator still has an active application for certification.
Source: Teacher Certification Code R 390.1130, Rule 30(6).
An applicant who has completed an out-of-state approved administrator certification program can use the program to submit an application to be evaluated for certification. The application must be submitted to the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS). Accurate responses and supporting documentation are required to be evaluated.
