Certifications and permits for international educators

Connecticut provides several types of certifications and permits to teachers from other countries. You’ll receive one that best matches your education and teaching experience.

Durational Shortage Area Permit (DSAP)

This 1-year permit is for people who:

• Earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Completed 12 credit hours in the subject area
• Are enrolled in a Connecticut-approved educator preparation program or cross-endorsement program
• Have an ED 177 - Evidence of Enrollment form completed by both their hiring district and the university’s certification office, and then mailed to us

Initial Educator Certificate

This 3-year certificate is for people who:

• Completed an educator preparation program
• Meet all general education and professional education course requirements
• Completed required Connecticut assessments

Provisional Educator Certificate

This 8-year certificate is for people who:

• Meet all program, coursework, and degree requirements for an Initial Certificate; and
• Completed required Connecticut assessments
• Completed 30 or more school months of successful service in another country during the previous ten years: experience must be under a valid certificate or authorization

Interim Non-Renewable Certificate

This 3-year certificate is for people who meet all certification requirements other than testing. You will have three years to pass required assessments. The certificate is provided in two levels:

• Initial: For foreign teachers who have taught for less than 30 school months under a valid teaching certificate.
• Provisional: For foreign teachers who have taught for 30 or more school months of successful service under a valid teaching certificate.

Interim Certificate

This certificate is for people who have met all requirements for certification other than the 36 clock-hour course in special education.

You will have one year to complete your coursework.

Visiting International Teacher Permit (VITP) 

This is a 1-year teaching permit that can be renewed up to two times. Teachers from outside of the U.S. may be eligible to work in Connecticut schools if they have completed a teacher preparation program related to a subject area shortage area. They must first obtain a J-1 visa through a Department of State approved teacher exchange program that has been authorized to place teachers in Connecticut schools, and then they must interview and be hired by a Connecticut school district.