How to Get Your U.S. Teaching License in Japan

Earn a U.S. teaching license from Japan — 100% online. 

U.S. License for Teachers in Japan

Teaching abroad in Japan gives educators a chance to pair their professional passion with cultural immersion. As you gain experience and search for better roles and higher-paying opportunities, a U.S. teaching license can help you stand out.

This guide will walk you through the steps to earning your U.S. teaching license remotely while living in Japan — from choosing the right Educator Preparation Program (EPP) to passing the required exams and applying for your license.

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Teach in Japan

Benefits of Earning Your U.S. License Online as an Educator in Japan

Live and Work in a Top Country

U.S. News & World Report recently ranked Japan as the No. 2 best country overall, citing a strong job market, economic and political stability, safety, and well-developed public education and health systems.

High Earning Potential

Japan values its teachers, and that is reflected in their salaries. According to GoOverseas.com, Japan offers the world’s second-highest salaries for English teachers, depending on their certifications and experience.

Advanced Classroom Skills

Earning your U.S. license will strengthen your skills and give you a solid foundation in the science and practice of teaching. You’ll learn new strategies and teaching methods to better support your students.

Learn Where You Are

You don’t have to leave Japan to earn your U.S. license. You could complete your program 100% online — even while working full-time.

How to Earn Your U.S. Teaching License from Japan

With the right program, earning your U.S. teaching license is a straightforward process — no travel required!

Pathway to a U.S. Teaching License

  1. Earn a bachelor’s degree. If your degree is from outside the U.S., you’ll complete a transcript evaluation to ensure it’s an equivalent match.
  2. Complete an EPP, like Moreland University’s 100% online TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program. TEACH-NOW can be completed in as little as 9 months.
  3. Pass the required licensure exams. These will vary based on the subject and grades you wish to teach.
  4. Complete a background check and apply for your license.

The Washington, D.C., Pathway for Japan

Because Japan does not issue U.S. teaching licenses, you’ll go through a U.S. state or the District of Columbia to earn your credential. We recommend going through Washington, D.C., since it offers a straightforward pathway that is highly respected and globally accessible.

All this means is you’ll follow D.C.’s steps to licensure (the same as those listed above) and take the licensure exams required for D.C. teachers.

Teacher Education Requirements for U.S. Licensure

General Requirements

To earn a U.S. teaching license, you’ll need: 

  • A bachelor’s degree
  • A completed EPP 
  • Passing scores on your licensure exams 
  • A clear background check 

Testing Requirements

If you’re earning your U.S. teaching license through Washington, D.C. (the route Moreland University recommends for candidates in Japan), you’ll take a series of Praxis exams. These will vary based on the subject and grades you wish to teach but will cover subject area(s) as well as general teaching skills and knowledge.

Education Requirements

A bachelor’s degree is a must for a U.S. teaching license. If you already have a degree in a field other than education, you could complete an alternative EPP to earn your license. Moreland’s TEACH-NOW program is 100% online and can be completed in as little as 9 months from anywhere in the world.

Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) for Teachers in Japan

Completing an EPP is an important step to earning your U.S. teaching license. If you choose an online EPP, like Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW program, you could earn your U.S. license from Japan without having to travel to the United States.

TEACH-NOW:

  • Fully accredited  
  • 100% online  
  • Global cohort
  • Rolling admissions  
  • Monthly start dates 
  • 9 months total 
  • Clinical learning (student teaching) included 
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Moreland University’s Guide to U.S. Teacher Certification in Japan provides a streamlined overview of what it takes to earn a U.S. teaching license while in the Land of the Rising Sun.

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U.S. Teaching License vs. TEFL or TESOL Certification

If teaching English to non-native speakers is your primary goal, you may be wondering about a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) certification. Ultimately, the right credential for you depends on your long-term career goals, including where you want to teach and in what types of schools.

To help you make your choice, this guide compares the pros and cons of a U.S. teaching license, a TEFL certification, and a TESOL certification in a side-by-side chart.

Compare Your Options

FAQs

You have questions about becoming a U.S. licensed teacher in Japan. We have answers. 

Do I need a U.S. license to teach in Japan?

A U.S. teaching license may not be a requirement to teach in Japan, but it does bring expanded career opportunities (especially at international schools) and higher earning potential.

According to GoOverseas.com, international schools in Japan typically pay more than public schools and offer more opportunities for advancement, so candidates with a U.S. license or other globally recognized credential often have a competitive advantage over other applicants.

Will I have to travel from Japan to the U.S. to earn my teaching license?

That depends on the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) you choose. Some programs may require an in-person presence. Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program is 100% online and requires no travel. You could complete the entire TEACH-NOW program in as little as 9 months from anywhere in the world.

How do I get my U.S. teaching license while in Japan?

You could earn your U.S. teaching license from Japan through an alternative Educator Preparation Program (EPP). The basic requirements for a U.S. license include:

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Completed EPP
  • Passing scores on the required licensure exams
  • Background check

If you earn your license through Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program, you could complete the program in as little as 9 months, 100% online, without having to travel to the United States.

What are the requirements for a U.S. teaching license for international educators?

The requirements for a U.S. teaching license are the same for international educators as they are for educators who plan to teach in the United States: Earn a bachelor’s degree, complete an Educator Preparation Program (EPP), pass the required licensure exams, and clear a background check. Specifics will depend on:

  • The subject and grades you wish to teach
  • The U.S. state where you earn your license

Moreland University recommends international candidates earn their teaching license through Washington, D.C., since it offers a straightforward pathway that is highly respected and globally accessible.

What’s the difference between a U.S. teacher certification and a U.S. teaching license?

They’re the same! It’s a simple matter of language preference in different U.S. states (some say teacher certification while others say teacher licensure). There is no practical difference between the terms.

How long does it take to earn a U.S. teaching license from Japan?

Your timeline depends on your starting point and the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) you choose. Some programs take several years while others are faster. Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program can be completed in as little as 9 months, 100% online.

How much does it cost to earn a U.S. teaching license from Japan?

Cost will vary depending on your Educator Preparation Program (EPP). Tuition for Moreland University’s 9-month TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program is $7,200. There is no application fee, and there are no other costs or fees for the program (no book costs, for example).

Moreland offers interest-free monthly payment plans as well as financing options via Sallie Mae. If you’re an international candidate considering a Sallie Mae loan, you must either be a U.S. citizen or have a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen. You can find more details here.

How much do international teachers in Japan make?

Your teacher salary in Japan will vary based on location, type of school, and your specific job and experience level. According to GoAbroad.com, educators in international schools earn higher salaries than those in public schools. Positions at international schools often require a teaching license.

How can I learn more about becoming a U.S. licensed teacher in Japan?

Reach out to Moreland University at admissions@moreland.edu or 844-283-2246. Or, click here to book a 1:1 chat with a member of our team at a time that’s convenient for you. We’d be happy to answer your questions about international education and our 9-month, 100% online Educator Preparation Program (EPP).