COST Full vs. Provisional Reciprocity 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A state's reciprocity policy states it will honor licenses from states with 'substantially similar' standards. What does this phrase most directly affect?
- Whether a teacher qualifies for full reciprocity without additional requirements (Correct answer)
- The salary a teacher will receive upon transfer
- Which extracurricular activities a teacher may supervise
- How many sick days a teacher can carry over
Correct answer: Whether a teacher qualifies for full reciprocity without additional requirements
'Substantially similar' standards determine whether the receiving state considers the original license equivalent, which drives the full vs. provisional reciprocity decision.
Question 2: Which assessment requirement most commonly triggers provisional rather than full reciprocity for an out-of-state teacher?
- The teacher has not yet passed the new state's content-area exam (Correct answer)
- The teacher did not graduate from a local college
- The teacher has no student teaching hours
- The teacher's degree is from a private institution
Correct answer: The teacher has not yet passed the new state's content-area exam
When a teacher has not yet passed the receiving state's required content-area examination, states often issue provisional reciprocity pending the exam result.
Question 3: In the context of COST reciprocity, what does 'good standing' on an out-of-state license mean?
- The license is active and has not been revoked, suspended, or surrendered due to misconduct (Correct answer)
- The teacher has received excellent performance reviews
- The teacher's school received a high state accountability rating
- The license was issued within the last six months
Correct answer: The license is active and has not been revoked, suspended, or surrendered due to misconduct
'Good standing' means the license is currently valid and the teacher has no disciplinary action that impaired or ended the license.
Question 4: A teacher holds dual certification in math and science in State A. State B only requires math certification for the position available. Which reciprocity outcome is most likely?
- Provisional reciprocity because dual certification is unusual
- Full reciprocity in math since that credential meets State B's requirement (Correct answer)
- Denial because State B will not accept science certification
- Provisional reciprocity until the science credential is dropped
Correct answer: Full reciprocity in math since that credential meets State B's requirement
States evaluate whether the specific certification area requested matches requirements; holding additional certifications does not hinder and may help qualify for full reciprocity.
Question 5: Which best describes the role of background checks in the full vs. provisional reciprocity decision?
- Background checks are optional and do not affect reciprocity status
- A clear background check is typically required before any reciprocity — full or provisional — is granted (Correct answer)
- Background checks only apply when seeking provisional reciprocity
- Background checks replace the need for license verification
Correct answer: A clear background check is typically required before any reciprocity — full or provisional — is granted
Most states require fingerprinting and a satisfactory background check as a prerequisite for issuing any reciprocity license, full or provisional.
Question 6: Which statement best captures the employment risk associated with provisional reciprocity?
- Provisional teachers cannot be hired until full reciprocity is granted
- Provisional teachers can be employed but may lose the license if requirements are not met on time (Correct answer)
- Provisional teachers must be supervised by a principal at all times
- Provisional teachers automatically receive tenure protections
Correct answer: Provisional teachers can be employed but may lose the license if requirements are not met on time
Provisional reciprocity allows employment but creates a risk of license loss if the teacher does not fulfill conditions within the prescribed period.
Question 7: How does a teaching endorsement (e.g., ESL, special education) from another state typically factor into reciprocity decisions?
- Endorsements are never considered and must always be re-earned
- Some states accept equivalent endorsements for full reciprocity; others require state-specific coursework (Correct answer)
- Endorsements automatically transfer without review in all states
- Endorsements only transfer if the teacher passed the receiving state's bar exam
Correct answer: Some states accept equivalent endorsements for full reciprocity; others require state-specific coursework
Endorsement portability varies; some states grant full reciprocity for comparable endorsements while others require additional coursework or exams.
COST Full vs. Provisional Reciprocity 3
A state's reciprocity policy states it will honor licenses from states with 'substantially similar' standards.
What does this phrase most directly affect?