Do You Actually Need iQTS to Teach at an International School?
Published: | by Alex Skov
There’s plenty of competition for roles at international schools, and hiring managers are often comparing teaching credentials and experience from candidates with a wide variety of backgrounds. Ultimately, they care whether you hold a recognized credential, not which country issued it.
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), International Qualified Teacher Status (iQTS), or a U.S. teaching license are among the credentials that will usually qualify you to work at an international school. Continue reading for a detailed breakdown of when and where it matters most to have iQTS on your resume.
What International Schools Actually Require
Most international schools ask their teachers for three basic requirements:
- A bachelor’s degree
- A recognized teacher training credential
- Classroom experience (often two years or more)
How and where you earned your teaching credential matters far less than whether it’s from a reputable, government-backed issuer. Here’s how some of the most common credentials stack up:
| Credential | Issuer | Typically Accepted by International Schools? |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. teaching license | Individual U.S. states | Yes, especially at American curriculum schools |
| QTS | England (Department for Education) | Yes, especially at British curriculum schools |
| iQTS | England (international route to QTS) | Yes — increasingly common for teachers training from outside England |
| PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) | Various countries | Yes — widely recognized as full teacher training |
| B.Ed. (Bachelor of Education) | Various countries | Yes — a standard multi-year education degree |
| OCT (Ontario College of Teachers) | Ontario, Canada | Yes — a recognized provincial certification |
| TEFL/TESOL | Private certifying bodies | Not usually on its own, as it supports language instruction but doesn’t replace a teaching credential |
Where iQTS Specifically Matters
If you want to work in an international school that runs a British curriculum, iQTS will qualify you in the same way QTS would. And if you want to work at a state school within England’s borders at some point, iQTS prepares you for that in a way a U.S.-only credential can’t.
Outside of those two cases, iQTS and a U.S. teaching license cover much of the same ground in the eyes of hiring managers at international schools. See our full comparison of iQTS and U.S. teaching licenses for more details.
Where a U.S. Teaching License Is the Credential That Matters
Earning a U.S. teaching license instead of iQTS can be a better move if you’re hoping to work at international schools with American curriculum or International Baccalaureate (IB) schools that lean toward U.S.-trained candidates. You may also want to pursue a U.S. license if you’re interested in teaching in a U.S. public school at any time in your career.
Because U.S. teaching licenses are issued by individual states, requirements vary. However, the process generally requires these steps:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree (or a degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree).
- Complete an Educator Preparation Program (EPP) like Moreland University’s 100% online TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program.
- Pass the required certification exams.
- Complete a background check.
- Submit your application to the corresponding state and get approved for your U.S. teaching license.
Washington, D.C., provides one of the most straightforward paths for U.S. teacher licensure for foreign nationals. To earn a Washington, D.C., teaching license, candidates must pass the Praxis Core and subject area exams.
‘I Already Have a Teaching License. Do I Need a Second Credential?’
It depends on what the new credential can do for you that your current credential can’t.
If you hold iQTS, PGCE, or a provincial certification like OCT, your current credential is typically enough for most international school postings on its own, so a second credential may not have much impact on your job search. But if the new credential is tied to a specific goal you have — like securing a role at a British curriculum school that lists QTS as a prerequisite, working long-term at a public school in the U.S., or having employment options across both the British and U.S. systems — earning multiple credentials can be worth the time.
Bottom line: Don’t add a second credential just to feel more qualified. Add one because a real opportunity requires it.
How to Decide Which Credential to Pursue
Step 1: Start With the Job, Not the Credential
List the schools or regions you want to work in, then check what jobs are available. Most postings will plainly state required and preferred credentials, which saves you from guessing.
Step 2: Match the Curriculum
British curriculum schools lean toward QTS or iQTS. American curriculum schools lean toward a U.S. state license. IB and other international curricula are often flexible and will accept whichever recognized credential you already hold.
Step 3: Check the Country’s Visa Rules
Some countries set their own minimum credential and experience requirements for work visas, separate from what schools might ask for. Confirm both to avoid getting stuck in a potentially tricky situation.
Step 4: Weigh the Cost Against What It Opens
If none of your target schools require anything beyond what you already hold, congrats! However, if one does, consider the time and cost of earning a second credential versus how much that specific opportunity is worth to you.
FAQ
Do all international schools require iQTS?
No. Many will accept any recognized national teaching credential (including iQTS), but they don’t require iQTS specifically.
Can I teach at an international school with a U.S. teaching license?
Yes. A U.S. teaching license is one of the most widely accepted credentials at international schools, especially those running an American curriculum.
Is a TEFL or TESOL certificate enough to work at an international school?
Typically not on its own. TEFL and TESOL certificates support English-language instruction but don’t substitute for a full teaching credential at most international schools.
How much teaching experience do international schools want?
Most international schools want applicants for their teaching positions to have at least two years of classroom experience, though this varies by school and location. Several countries also have their own work-visa rules regarding years of experience, separate from what schools there may require, so be sure to check both country- and school-specific requirements.
Do British international schools require QTS or iQTS?
Not always, but most British international schools prefer their teachers to hold either QTS or iQTS, especially if they use a British curriculum.
Do I need a degree in education specifically to teach at an international school?
No. Any bachelor’s degree will help qualify you as long as you have a recognized teaching credential to go along with it.
Is iQTS worth it if I already hold a U.S. teaching license?
It depends. If you have a specific goal in mind that lists QTS or iQTS as a requirement (like teaching at an international school using British curriculum or eventually living and working in England.), having a second credential can be worthwhile and open new career opportunities for you. Otherwise, your U.S. teaching license is likely enough for teaching jobs that don’t require a master’s degree.
If you’re ready to advance your teaching career, you can earn your master’s degree 100% online in as little as 12 months with Moreland University. Whether a Master’s in Globalization and Education Research, a Master’s in Educational Leadership, or an M.Ed. with a specialization in a high-impact area is the best fit for you, apply for free today and you’ll hear back within 2 business days.
