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Office of the State Superintendent of Education test requirements

Will I need another teacher test in District of Columbia?

Requirements can differ by certificate, subject, grade span and prior score.

Open Out-of-State Credential Holders (Reciprocity)
Official state guidance State makes the decision Checked 2026-08-01

Testing and assessment treatment

Requirement

The reciprocity and Standard pathways evaluate preparation and accepted basic-skills, subject and pedagogy evidence; active National Board certification provides a separate branch without D.C. credentialing exams.

Which out-of-state path this covers

D.C. can use an active full out-of-state credential without deficiencies for reciprocity on the applicant's first D.C. credential application, mapping it to a comparable Standard Teacher Credential.

What can change this answer

Reciprocity is available only on the first D.C. credential application; the source credential must be active and full, and later additions or issuances must satisfy D.C.-specific requirements.

Documents you may need

The application uses active full source credentials, official transcripts, preparation or examination evidence and an FBI Identity History Summary Check or accepted DCPS clearance.

Where the testing answer can change

  • Reciprocity applies only during the first D.C. educator-credential application
  • The source license must be active, full and without deficiencies
  • Subsequent D.C. credential areas must meet D.C.-specific requirements
  • OSSE makes the final subject, grade and examination comparability decision

Register and send scores only for the exact exam code named by the state agency.

Official sources

Check again by 2026-11-01