Transferring your teaching license from Oregon to Hawaii
✓ Streamlined — Hawaii offers full reciprocity to licensed teachers
Hawaii offers full reciprocity: a fully-licensed Oregon teacher is generally eligible for a standard Hawaii license with few or no added requirements.
See 654 open teaching jobs in Hawaii →License transfer finder
Your current credential (Oregon)
- Issuing authority
- Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC)
- License type
- Initial Teaching License (3 years)
- Reciprocity policy
- Oregon participates in the NASDTEC compact. Out-of-state educators with valid licenses may receive an Oregon license; content assessments may be required.
Hawaii certification
- Issuing authority
- Hawaii Teacher Standards Board (HTSB)
- License you'll earn
- License to Teach (Initial) (5 years)
- Typical timeline
- 12–18 months traditional; Hawaii Teacher Fellows program can be completed in about 1 year
- Hawaii reciprocity policy
- Hawaii participates in the NASDTEC compact. Valid out-of-state certificates are evaluated on a case-by-case basis; content exams may be required.
Exams typically required in Hawaii
Out-of-state applicants are usually asked to demonstrate content-area knowledge on Hawaii's preferred exams, even when basic-skills testing is waived through reciprocity. Plan for one or more of the following:
- Praxis Core Academic Skills (or qualifying SAT/ACT/GRE scores)Basic reading, writing, and mathematics
- Praxis Subject AssessmentsContent knowledge for your licensure area
- edTPAPerformance assessment during student teaching
Pass the Praxis exam
Mometrix study guide & practice tests for the Praxis — prep with confidence.
Steps to transfer your license
- Verify your Oregon credential is current. Hawaii will request a verification of your active Initial Teaching License from Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC).
- Apply through Hawaii Teacher Standards Board (HTSB). The application packet typically includes official transcripts, prior teaching service verification, and a fingerprint-based background check.
- Sit for any Hawaii-specific exams. Most states honor out-of-state content-area exams when scores meet their cutoff, but Hawaii may require an additional jurisprudence or state-specific assessment.
- Apply to Hawaii districts that match your endorsement. We're currently tracking 654 active openings — browse Hawaii teaching jobs to start identifying districts.
Common questions
Can I teach in Hawaii with a Oregon teaching license?
Hawaii offers full reciprocity: a fully-licensed Oregon teacher is generally eligible for a standard Hawaii license with few or no added requirements.
What exams are required to teach in Hawaii?
Hawaii typically requires the Praxis Core Academic Skills exam(s) for your subject area.
How long does transferring a teaching license to Hawaii take?
Typically 12–18 months traditional; Hawaii Teacher Fellows program can be completed in about 1 year.
Who issues teaching licenses in Hawaii?
Teaching licenses in Hawaii are issued by Hawaii Teacher Standards Board (HTSB).