Five Year Reciprocity License
A Five-Year Educator License – Reciprocity is granted to applicants who possesses a valid standard license from another state in an area in which Mississippi issues an endorsement and meets Mississippi’s minimum licensure requirements or equivalent.
In the 2011 state legislative session, House Bill 641 changed the state statute for Reciprocity applicants. Now, Section 37-3-2 (8)(a) states: The department shall grant a standard license to any individual who possesses a valid standard license from another state and meets minimum Mississippi license requirements or equivalent requirements as determined by the State Board of Education. The Office of Educator Licensure will implement this new statute with applications submitted after June 30, 2011.
Applicants must submit to the Office of Educator Licensure:
- Licensure application
- Valid out-of-state license.
Upload a PDF copy of your valid out-of-state educator license via your Educator Licensure Management System (ELMS) account or submit a photocopy of your original educator license via postal mail.
- Sealed copy of all college transcripts.
- Documentation must be provided to show a passing score on a core subject test required for certification by the issuing state, or documentation that verifies the out-of-state license was obtained in a manner equivalent with current Mississippi license guidelines for that license.
Two Year Reciprocity License
Any applicant who possesses a valid license, which is less than standard from another state may apply for a two-year educator license through reciprocity.
Applicants must submit to the Office of Educator Licensure:
- Licensure application
- Valid out-of-state license.
Upload a PDF copy of your valid out-of-state educator license via your Educator Licensure Management System (ELMS) account or submit a photocopy of your original educator license via postal mail. - Sealed copy of all college transcripts.
A Two-Year Educator License – Reciprocity is non-renewable and only issued at the Class A level. To convert this provisional license to a five year renewable license, the applicant shall meet all current requirements of a Mississippi State Board of Education approved pathway to educator licensure. (Please refer to the Guidelines for Mississippi Educator Licensure K-12)
Educator Licensure Policy change: International
The Office of Educator Licensure will no longer approve educator licensure applications for individuals seeking certification via international reciprocity. The MS Department of Education will honor all current, valid MS licenses obtained through international reciprocity prior to this date. However, all who request renewal of such license must meet current certification requirements at that time.
Educator Licensure Resources