Transferring your teaching license from Washington to Iowa
Both Washington and Iowa participate in the NASDTEC interstate agreement, which standardizes how states evaluate out-of-state teaching credentials. Educators relocating from Washington can generally expect a streamlined review process, though state-specific content exams or coursework may still be required.
See 3,393 open teaching jobs in Iowa →Your current credential (Washington)
- Issuing authority
- Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
- License type
- Initial Certificate (3 years)
- Reciprocity policy
- Washington participates in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement. Teachers with valid out-of-state certificates and 2+ years of experience may receive a Washington certificate; West-E subject tests typically still required.
Iowa certification
- Issuing authority
- Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE)
- License you'll earn
- Initial License (2 years)
- Typical timeline
- 12 months for traditional program; 2 years for alternative route while teaching
- Iowa reciprocity policy
- Iowa participates in the NASDTEC compact. Out-of-state licensed educators can apply for Iowa licensure with verification of current license.
Exams typically required in Iowa
Out-of-state applicants are usually asked to demonstrate content-area knowledge on Iowa's preferred exams, even when basic-skills testing is waived through reciprocity. Plan for one or more of the following:
- Iowa Licensure Tests (Praxis-based)Content knowledge assessment
- Praxis Core Academic Skills (or qualifying ACT/SAT scores)Basic academic skills
Steps to transfer your license
- Verify your Washington credential is current. Iowa will request a verification of your active Initial Certificate from Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).
- Apply through Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE). The application packet typically includes official transcripts, prior teaching service verification, and a fingerprint-based background check.
- Sit for any Iowa-specific exams. Most states honor out-of-state content-area exams when scores meet their cutoff, but Iowa may require an additional jurisprudence or state-specific assessment.
- Apply to Iowa districts that match your endorsement. We're currently tracking 3,393 active openings — browse Iowa teaching jobs to start identifying districts.