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Delaware teacher license transfer

How to transfer your teaching license to Delaware

Delaware issues both a license and at least one subject certificate, using a full current out-of-state credential and verified licensed experience to choose the Initial, Continuing or Advanced license level.

Build my license plan See official sources

Starting point

Does Delaware accept out-of-state teaching licenses?

An out-of-state license can open a path to Delaware certification, but it does not transfer automatically. The state decides which certificate, endorsements, tests or additional requirements apply.

Your exact route can still depend on your license type, preparation, experience, subjects, grade levels and testing history.

How teacher license reciprocity works · Look up your current license

Mobility compact

Delaware joined the teacher mobility compact

Compact eligibility may matter when your current license also comes from a member state. Joining the compact does not replace the need for current Delaware application instructions and an eligible-license match.

Check compact states and eligibility

Keep your place

Your Delaware application checklist

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State review still applies

What can change your path

  • • Expired, conditional, intern, substitute, private-school and certificate-of-eligibility credentials are not accepted as reciprocal
  • • Delaware separately evaluates the license level and every subject certificate
  • • Out-of-state special-education authorization must be paired with a valid teaching content-area credential
  • • The Advanced license branch requires current National Board certification
  • • The reviewed DDOE guidance notes the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact but does not publish the eligible-license list or application mechanics, so TeachPassport does not identify it as an available path without direct DDOE confirmation

What the state says

2 official sources

These facts come from official sources. The state agency still makes the final licensing decision.

Experience sets the license

A current full out-of-state credential plus successful licensed experience can support an Initial license below four years, a Continuing license at four or more years or an Advanced license with National Board certification, along with comparable subject certificates.

Testing follows comparability

Test scores are generally needed when a requested certificate does not meet Delaware reciprocity requirements; special education also requires an accepted content-area teaching certificate.

Core evidence

The DEEDS application uses official transcripts, the complete current source credential, Form E experience verification and any scores required for a non-reciprocal or new certificate area.

First Delaware license fee

DDOE publishes a one-time, nonrefundable $100 fee for an applicant's first Delaware license. Its guidance says the fee is reimbursable after the educator is employed by a Delaware public or charter school and is fully licensed and certified.

Compact route not yet calculated

Delaware has joined the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, but the reviewed DDOE guidance does not yet publish the eligible-license list or application steps. TeachPassport will not assign this route until those details are official; confirm the current path with DDOE.

State certification help

3 guides

01Application documentsSee the core records to prepare and who may need to send themOpen 02Out-of-state testingSee how the state treats prior tests for an out-of-state applicationOpen 03Application feeCheck the published amount and what it does not includeOpen

Why your details matter

State websites describe the possible routes. The right one for you can depend on your license, preparation, experience, subjects, grades, tests, National Board status and compact eligibility. TeachPassport uses those details to work out your path and handle the steps it can do for you.

One thing to know: At least one but fewer than four years of successful licensed teaching supports the Initial reciprocity route, four or more years supports Continuing, and National Board certification supports Advanced; each requested subject must also have a comparable Delaware certificate. Delaware has joined the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, but TeachPassport does not assign that route until DDOE publishes the eligible-license list and application steps.

Plan the whole move

Questions to answer before you apply

The application is only one part of the move. Check the costs, timing and records that can hold up an otherwise complete file.

01What could this cost?Plan for state fees, records, tests and fingerprints.Read 02How long could it take?See what affects review time and when to start.Read 03Will my test scores count?Check prior Praxis scores before registering again.Read 04Will I need new fingerprints?Use the destination’s required process and vendor.Read 05How will my experience count?Prepare the verification the state actually accepts.Read 06Should I apply to jobs first?Work out whether the license or job offer comes first.Read

Official sources

State agency material

Delaware Department of EducationOut-of-State Applicant CertificationDelaware Department of EducationDelaware Reciprocity for Educators Holding Credentials in Another State