Testing and assessment treatment
Requirement
DESE states that most applicants with a valid professional out-of-state certificate receive the most closely aligned Missouri area without further coursework or testing; non-equivalent areas are evaluated against current requirements.
Which out-of-state path this covers
Missouri can grant a comparable certificate to an applicant with a valid professional out-of-state teaching certificate, usually without additional coursework or testing when the certification area aligns.
What can change this answer
Prior approved teaching experience controls whether Missouri issues an Initial Professional or Career certificate; without a valid professional out-of-state credential, the agency instead evaluates the preparation program and current Missouri requirements.
Documents you may need
The application packet includes original transcripts, the valid professional out-of-state certificate, qualifying experience verification when applicable and a Missouri fingerprint background check.
Where the testing answer can change
- •Temporary, emergency and substitute credentials do not replace the required professional out-of-state certificate
- •The certificate area must have a Missouri counterpart and DESE makes the alignment decision
- •Contracted employment of at least half time can count; substitute, student, college-level, aide and assistant service does not
- •An expired or absent out-of-state professional certificate triggers institutional-recommendation and current-requirement review
Register and send scores only for the exact exam code named by the state agency.
Official sources
Check again by 2026-11-23