OK HB2946

State Board of Education must issue teaching certificates to persons holding valid out-of-country certificates, with certification limited to subject areas and grade levels aligned with the foreign credential

Teachers with out-of-country certificates and 5 years of successful teaching experience in accredited schools are exempt from Oklahoma competency examinations in their certified areas

Out-of-country certification documents in languages other than English must be evaluated by a NACES-approved credential evaluation service, with applicants responsible for all evaluation costs

Teaching experience from out-of-country schools accredited by appropriate national or regional authorities counts toward salary schedule placement, subject to a maximum 5-year credit limit for state salary increments and retirement purposes

All applicants for certification through out-of-country credentials must complete Oklahoma and national criminal history background checks, with temporary certificates available pending completion