I was writing a long reply to follow your second-to-last message as well as the last one, but my computer restarted and it's gone, so this is going to be brief.

Having a license when I get to the US is a secondary goal, first because it may not happen and second because it seems easy enough to become a teacher in most states through alternative programs, though the pay would likely be less for a few years.

I think I'm going to get one of the easier licenses, AZ or MA, and then do ABC or another ITT/EPP program. I decided I need something that covers the course I'm teaching. ABC does, iTeach, Moreland and the M.Ed programs are general. American College of Education has a M.Ed in my subject area, but it doesn't lead to a professional license. ABC does, but I wouldn't get college credit (iTeach and Moreland would; Klassroom might).
ABC seems to be the only program I can complete from abroad in my situation. iTeach is also possible, but the only state in which I could get a license is WV, but that is only for 3 years with one renewal. MS accepts ABC as well (but requires a practicum. Maybe the combination of an AZ Subject Matter Expert STANDARD Teaching Certificate and the ABC would help get the MS standard license. It's worth a try if I'll get both anyway.
The best I can get through ABC is a Tier II Provisional License from WI. That's for 5 years and renewable. It's short of standard, but some states may give it reciprocity.

You were thankfully right that AZ will allow fingerprints to be taken on paper. I'm just concerned that they won't accept them from overseas. It was once possible to have the ministry of foreign affairs fingerprint someone and the FBI would accept it, but it's going to look odd when it arrives from abroad. Also it says they will be sent with a postage page return envelope. I don't mind the cost of shipping, but it's not clear if they'll accept them mailed another way.

I think a masters is at least somewhat impressive. At least it would make me stand out above someone without one. I think I got my current job (though I'm not what they usually look for) because of a combination of having a masters, though not related to a teaching subject, unrelated classroom experience (one of which gave me a glowing review), and having worked for a nationally known educational publisher.

I would probably have a better experience at Buckingham, but as I said, family responsibilities. UoPe seems more flexible. I think it's possible to drop back into a different cohort if I get behind in a class, and I know it's possible to stop taking classes for one or more terms. But I'm sure you're right about the language issue. I've heard that's a complaint.

I'm certain that some states and Canadian provinces (at least Ontario) accept Filipino teachers, though the program I mentioned doesn't have a field experience component.

Thanks for the advice about the other two programs, but I can't imagine how I'd get a professional certificate after doing an ASCI program, and the QTLS just doesn't look possible. Anything involving a practicum is probably out as long as I'm at this job.

I sent the last post too soon and I don't seem to be able to edit it.

Would there be any other national or state/provincial license I could get that might have reciprocity with a US state leading to a standard/professional license?
I double-checked and Norway is definitely out. HK has been mentioned, but it seems to be out unless I have a residency or a job offer. MS issues a standard license to a teacher holding a standard license in another state or country. I think it may be possible for me to get a license in the Philippines. There's a regulation that, to take the licensing exam, the test-taker's jurisdiction has to recognize a Filipino teaching license, and at least some of them do, MS anyway. It requires an 18 post-graduate certificate in education which can be done online (no practicum) for under $1,000, and then the licensing exam. There's also an option to continue studying for a M.Ed, which would also be the cheapest M.Ed I've found. I was unable to find anything online from a foreigner who got a Filipino license, but I doubt many have tried. I assume, if a QTS would be acceptable, a Filipino license would be as well, if not as highly regarded. Either way, I could possibly use it to get an MS or other state teaching license. Ontario appears to accept Filipino licenses as well. As I was writing this, I learned the graduate certificate requires midterm and final exams to be taken at an embassy if it is even offered there, so this may not work.

Is there any other country where I might do something similar and get a license? I happy to study or take whatever tests, even if it involves a short flight.

@psyguy

Thank you again for another detailed reply. I'm afraid I'm not understanding one thing and there's one thing you may be wrong about.

1. If all the mentioned licenses are equally sufficient, I will probably go for the MA provisional license since it's the fastest and would be good to have just in case. I may still do the ABC for the reasons you mentioned, but...

2. I'm not understanding if you are saying ABC is a better choice than a UoPe M.Ed or that both are valuable. It sounds like you think ABC is better. Maybe it's a gut instinct, but I feel like a M.Ed would just sound more impressive. If I have any type of license, it seems like people would equate a license and a certification or assume a teacher with a license had training equivalent to that certification. But an M.Ed, even from a school with a silly name, just seems more impressive.
Re: Buckingham, I followed the link. You're right, a PGCE isn't required. It does say the applicant needs to have a degree from a UK university, but I'm sure they would take an equivalent foreign one. But, while I'm sure there is some flexibility, it's a 15-month program and appears to be rigorous. Because I have a full-time+ job and family commitments, I'm not confident I can get that done. The UoPe M.Ed has more flexibility. In a different world, I think I would have a better experience with the Buckingham M.Ed, but I'll probably go with UoPe I don't decide to do only the ABC.

3. Unless I'm missing something, AZ requires teaching certificate applicants to have an IDV fingerprint check. The link you gave was for a regular fingerprint check. The difference is that the IDV requires an ID to be verified and that has to be done in person. I can't link or post images yet, but this is from the AZ Subject Matter Expert (no "standard" in the title of the license at present) under the application checklist:
Application: A completed application for certification.
Fee: The fee for this certificate is $60. Per Board-rule, certification fees are non-refundable.
Attestation: A completed Social Media and Cellphone Use Attestation form, all pages.
AZDPS IP Card: A valid Arizona DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card.


Why jump through hoops? Because employers can be capricious in their decision-making and having "standard" rather than "provisional" on the license could make a difference. I'm sure what you say represents your experience, but I'm sure I have less experience and fewer options. In my situation, I need to cover as many bases as I can. I don't expect to get headhunted by a tier 1 school, but it could help me get a job quickly if there is an emergency, and if I go back to the US, I think having a standard license would put me in a better position to find a job.
and you are right that they will easily see I didn't follow a traditional pathway,

@PsyGuy

Thank you very much for the detailed response. I want to add a few things and ask some questions.

Main Question 1: It looks like the choices available are MA provisional license, doing the ABC course and getting a WI Provisional Tier 2 license, getting more experience and applying for the CT initial license. Are they about as good for getting an IS job? Which, if any, is better in terms of reciprocity in case I move back to the US? MA is too expensive, CT probably is, and all three are too cold.
-Is the CT license renewable if I don't teach there? Would 20 months of teaching experience in a local but not US-accredited school be accepted? I can't find information on this.

Main Question 2: What do you think would be more valuable in terms of both improving my teaching abilities and qualifications? UoPe is cheap and leads to a M.Ed. ABC is perhaps better fit-to-purpose, but the certificate itself would do little to boost a resume. I looked at the Buckingham M.Ed, and it required that an applicant have a at least a PGCE level 6. The others are similarly priced to M.Eds I could get from US colleges (American College of Education is one).
My weaknesses are curriculum planning that aligns with the Common Core Standards and assessments. I'd also need to learn how to do longer-term planning better. As it is, I have a general sketch of what I will do for a text or a unit, but planning each lesson is like pulling teeth. It can take me hours to plan a one-hour class. It got better by the end of my first year, but without guidance from others (or the internet), I may be struggling all night. I need to get more professional faster. I also just need to get faster because I have no work-life balance. Classes will take more time, but I think it will pay off.
I just don't have the money for any other university or EPP/ITT that we've discussed. I make a good income with decent benefits, but for a family of 4, there's not much left.

Other issues
3. About the AZ Subject Matter Expert Certificate (Permit) and MS reciprocity, could you point to the regulation that says MS is requiring out-of-state teachers to have had EPP/ITT training? This is all the information I can find on it:
https://www.mdek12.org/OTL/OEL/Reciprocity
https://www.mdek12.org/OEL/Licensure-Ap ... -Checklist
Currently, for out-of-state applicants, what is needed to apply for a standard license is:
-Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) form (if not previously submitted)
-Valid standard license issued by an educator licensing agency outside the state of Mississippi
-Official transcript(s) of all completed degrees and coursework

The last one would indicate that the person did not complete a B.Ed, but there is no indication anywhere I could find that an EPP/ITT was required to receive a license based on reciprocity. That is the case in most states I looked at, though.

4. Also, you mentioned that for the AZ certificate, someone could submit paper fingerprinting forms. I don't think that is the case any longer. It seems like only IDV (ID verified) fingerprints are accepted, and a person has to be in AZ to do this.

To answer your first question, I don't NEED a license right now for my current job. But I want to have the ability to teach AP classes (I think a license is a requirement), to have the ability to change jobs if it becomes necessary or desirable, or in case of war (the threat is looming). With a wife and 2 kids, I'm not a great candidate to get hired in any other country, but if it comes to it, I'll take what I can get. Another reason is simply to be prepared in case I go back to the US.

As an aside, another thing I've learned is that it's possible to get a BC independent school Subject Restricted License. MS specifically says it will accept a standard license from another country, though being restricted, I don't think that one would work. I think it expires after 2 years if I don't get 1.5 years of experience in a BC-accredited school. There is one here, so that's an option for the future but an unlikely one.

After years of teaching EFL in Taiwan, I got a job teaching literature at a private bilingual school which is a good school but doesn’t have foreign accreditation. The pay is above average for most private schools and about average compared with the local WASC-accredited international schools. My qualifications are less than what they usually accept, but they took a risk on me and my first year went well enough that they renewed my contract for another year. I hope to stay here for years, but I’d like to improve my qualifications so I can
a) have a chance to teach higher-level courses at this school (my main goal)
b) easily find another job at similar pay in case I need to leave this job
c) find a good job if I ever decide to leave Taiwan or return to the States

Above that, I just want to be a better teacher. I’ve had no real teacher training, and I am often struggling to keep up with other teachers.

For background, I’m approaching 50, and I have a wife and son. I have a master’s in a subject not relevant to teaching high school.
The main thing I’d like to accomplish is getting a teaching license. In Taiwan, it isn’t necessary, but after looking here and on other forums, I’ve found some ways to get a license from Taiwan, but I’m not really happy with the options I’ve found.
1. I’ve considered TeachNow, but the cost (currently $7,000US) puts it out of reach for now. I would get a small salary bump at my current job, but it would take 10 years to cover the cost of the program.
I also recently learned about Klassroom through TeachAway. It costs $5,500US and leads to a license. It’s less, but it’s still a lot. A big problem is that the practicum has to be done at an American-accredited school if done abroad, and my current school isn’t. That doesn’t seem to be the case with TeachNow. However, both require a 3-month practicum with a mentor. I’m not sure I can get a certified teacher at my school to mentor me. I had a mentor when I started and I know she got paid extra for it and it was part of her responsibilities. I don’t know if anyone would do it for free.
2. American Board Certification - It’s much cheaper, but every state that accepts it except Wisconsin requires teachers to get an in-state job before being licensed. Wisconsin only gives a Tier II provisional license.
3. I could easily get a Massachusetts provisional license after taking the MTEL.
4. With a little more experience, I could possibly get a license from Connecticut. I’m having some trouble figuring this one out. It seems like it would be a provisional license.
5. I see Hawaii mentioned often as an option, but I don’t see how that’s possible for me because I have had no training. Any teaching program seems to cost about as much as TeachNow or more.
6. iQTS-This isn’t too expensive, but I think the school has to be on the English curriculum and mine is American. The school also has to fully participate, but I’m not sure who here could mentor me. There are no British teachers in my department. Even if someone here has QTS, I don’t think the school will pay them extra to mentor me since it’s not necessary. Also, I think I have to know a lot about the English curriculum, and I don’t. An iPGCE would help that, but there are the same issues. Also, it’s quite expensive.
7. Someone got a subject-master certificate from Arizona and got a Mississippi standard license based on reciprocity. @psyguy said it wouldn’t be possible for long, but I checked the MS DOE website and it seems like it still might work. This was the thread:
https://internationalschoolsreview.com/ ... 79e329ca6f
8. I read somewhere that it’s possible to get a teaching certificate from Norway based on education or experience. Would that be of any benefit? Might one of the foreign certification evaluation services recognize it and would that allow me to get a professional license?

Unless I use TeachNow, the only certificates available are provisional. It’s better than nothing. It might improve my chances of finding a job, but not a high-paying one.

I also want to get a M.Ed and I’m looking at the University of the People. I know it’s only nationally accredited, but it’s only around $4-5000 USD while any other school would cost at least $10,000. It’s not a recognized preparation program, but I would learn from it, and it’s better
than no degree in education. ACE is another option, more expensive, but could let me do a doctorate. I don't know if any school would let me do a doctorate after completing a master's at UoP.

Are there any options I’m missing for getting a professional license? Would getting a master's from the University of the People be more or less helpful than doing the American Board program and getting a provisional license?