International Certificate - Sponsor Information
Certification Procedures for Cultural Exchange Visitor Program Sponsors
The International Certificate is limited for issue to foreign teachers participating in a Cultural Exchange Program in a J-1 visa status. The International Certificate is considered a short term certificate renewable on a year to year basis for a maximum of three years. Application for the International Certificate must be submitted by the teacher’s program sponsor once the teacher has received a Social Security Number.
Program sponsors are required to evaluate the qualifications of their teacher applicants to ensure that their country’s certification criteria are met and that they are proficient in the English language. The Program participants must meet the following criteria to be issued an International Certificate:- Be a citizen of the country being placed from
- hold the U.S. equivalent of a bachelor's degree in Education or higher in the subject to be taught;
- hold foreign educator credentials in a teaching field comparable to those recognized in South Carolina;
- have a minimum of three years teaching experience.
- be proficient in written and spoken English;
- A detailed course by course translation and evaluation report of the teacher’s foreign transcript(s) stating degree equivalency from an approved agency. http://www.naces.org/
- A copy of a United States social security card number before an application can be processed.
- A copy of official transcript(s) from all institutions attended.
- $75.00 fee made payable to the SC State Department of Education (no cash, please).
- A completed Fingerprint Card.
- Official verification of teaching experience (minimum of three school years (27 months).
- Copy of foreign teaching license, if applicable.
- Application must indicate the area (grade and subject) to be certified in.
Please keep in mind that these requirements are for certification (International Certificate). Teachers must still meet the requirements for Highly Qualified (HQ).