TeachPassport
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Official teacher-license records

Teacher certification lookup by state

Find the state that issued your credential. We send you to the agency's own public search or licensing page—not a copied teacher database.

Find my state Moving states? Build my plan — $49

The lookup is public information. TeachPassport's live move plan is $49 once, with future moves and requirement updates included.

50 states and D.C. 43 direct public searches No name or license number collected here

Step 1

Start with the issuing state

A teaching credential belongs to the state that issued it, even if you now live somewhere else.

Step 2

Use the agency's own search

Search by the fields the state accepts, often a name, certificate number or educator ID.

Step 3

Read the whole record

Check status, credential type, endorsements, effective dates and any limits the agency displays.

One important distinction

Issued license and pending application are different records

A public lookup usually shows credentials the agency has issued. If your application is still being reviewed, use the private account or status process named by the state. A missing public result is not a denial.

Check processing guidance

Common searches

Quick links to widely searched states

TXTexasFLFloridaNYNew YorkMIMichiganTNTennesseeGAGeorgiaLALouisianaOHOhioILIllinoisINIndianaCACaliforniaNCNorth Carolina

All 50 states and D.C.

Find the agency that issued your license

A public record search is linked directly when the agency offers one. Otherwise, use its official licensing page for the current search, account or contact process.

Showing 51 of 51 jurisdictions

ME

Maine

Maine Department of Education

Agency page

Maine's certification center links the educator account and status tools. Some record checks require an educator ID or the last four digits of the educator's SSN.

Open Maine certification Moving there? View transfer guide

Checked 2026-08-02 · Check again by 2026-11-02

Found your current credential?

Now see what it unlocks in your next state.

TeachPassport uses the license you hold, your experience, subjects, grades and destination to build an ordered live case. It stays with you for future moves.

Build my move plan — $49

Questions about teacher-license records

Is there one national teacher certification lookup?

No. Teacher credentials are issued and maintained by states, so the authoritative record lives with the issuing agency. This directory sends you to that agency instead of copying its database.

Can I check whether my teaching license is active?

Usually. Many state searches show credential type, endorsement and status. Some agencies show only active licenses, require an account or direct you to contact the licensing office for older records.

Is license status the same as application status?

No. A credential lookup shows a record that has been issued. A pending application may appear only inside your private agency account or a separate application-status tool.

What if my name does not appear?

Check the spelling and any former name, then follow the state agency's instructions. Older, expired, pending or locally issued credentials may not appear in a public search. Do not assume a missing result means the credential never existed.

Does an active license automatically transfer to another state?

No. An active source license can strengthen a reciprocity application, but the destination still decides the credential, endorsement match, testing and remaining conditions.

Does TeachPassport collect my name or license number when I search?

No. These links open the issuing agency's site. TeachPassport does not proxy the search or receive the name, certificate number or other details you enter there.

What does the $49 TeachPassport plan add?

The public lookup confirms what a state record says. The paid live plan uses your license, experience, subject, grades and destination to organize the next move, keep the checklist current and support future moves.

How these links are checked

Public-search links are checked against the issuing agency. Where a state does not expose a stable public search, the directory uses the agency's reviewed licensing or application page. State systems can move, require JavaScript or restrict older records.

Directory checked 2026-08-02 · Public-search links check again by 2026-11-02