How to Get Your U.S. Teaching License in South Korea
Earn a U.S. teaching license from the Republic of Korea — 100% online.
Teaching abroad in South Korea offers a chance to blend career growth with cultural discovery. As you apply for jobs and search for new opportunities, a U.S. teaching license can give you a competitive advantage.
This guide will walk you through the steps to earning your U.S. teaching license while in Korea — from choosing the right Educator Preparation Program (EPP) to passing the required exams and applying for your license.
Benefits of Earning Your U.S. License Online as an Educator in South Korea
Increased Earning Potential
International schools offer the highest teacher salaries in South Korea, according to Go Overseas. But those positions are also the most competitive and often require a teaching license rather than a TEFL or TESOL certificate alone.
Expanded Opportunity
A U.S. teaching license gives you a competitive advantage when it comes to applying for teaching positions, interviewing, and securing offers. You’ll have greater freedom in choosing the type of job you want and where you want to live and work.
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 South Korea 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 South Korea
With the right program, earning your U.S. teaching license is a straightforward process. No travel required.
Pathway to a U.S. Teaching License
- 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.
- 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.
- Pass the required licensure exams. These will vary based on the subject and grades you wish to teach.
- Complete a background check and apply for your license.
The Washington, D.C., Pathway for the Republic of Korea
Because South Korea 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 most common route for Moreland University candidates in South Korea) 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 South Korea
Completing an EPP is a critical 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 South Korea without having to travel to the States.
TEACH-NOW:
- Fully accredited
- 100% online
- Global cohort model
- Rolling admissions
- Monthly start dates
- 9 months total
- Clinical learning (student teaching) included
Moreland University’s Guide to Teacher Certification in South Korea provides a streamlined overview of what it takes to earn a U.S. teaching license while in the Land of the Morning Calm.
Moreland University’s Guide to U.S. Teacher Certification in South Korea provides a streamlined overview of what it takes to earn a U.S. teaching license while in the land of the Morning Calm.
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.
FAQs
You have questions about becoming a U.S. licensed teacher in South Korea. We have answers.
Do I need a U.S. license to teach in South Korea?
A U.S. teaching license may not be a requirement to teach in South Korea, but it does bring expanded career opportunities and higher earning potential. According to Go Overseas, English teachers at international schools make the highest salaries in South Korea. Those jobs usually do require a teaching license and are more competitive.
Will I have to travel from Korea 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 South Korea?
You could earn your U.S. teaching license from South Korea 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 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 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 advises international candidates to 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 South Korea?
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 South Korea?
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 South Korea make?
Go Overseas has a ranking of the highest paying countries for English teachers in 2026, and South Korea is No. 6 on the list. English teachers in Korea can make anywhere from $1,700 USD to $2,650 USD per month, per Go Overseas — compared to a cost of living of $900 USD or $1,000 USD per month. Teaching positions may also come with free housing, health insurance, professional development, roundtrip flights, and more.
Your specific salary and benefits will vary based on location, type of school, and your job title and experience level. However, according to Go Overseas, educators in international schools earn the highest salaries in Korea. Those jobs are also more competitive and typically require a teaching license.
How can I learn more about becoming a U.S. licensed teacher in South Korea?
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).