Jordan Teacher Credentials Attestation

Teaching in Jordan With American Qualifications

Amman has a large number of international and private schools, many following American curricula, as well as universities that teach in English and value U.S. qualifications. American teachers and Jordanian-American educators returning home are in demand. Schools, universities and the Ministry of Labour, which issues work permits for foreign staff, typically want a teacher’s credentials legalized by the Embassy of Jordan before the contract starts.

The documents in a teaching file

A typical file includes the teacher’s degree and transcript; a state teaching license or certificate, where the school requires a licensed teacher; experience letters from previous schools or districts confirming positions and dates; for language teachers, a TEFL, TESOL or CELTA certificate; and an FBI background check, which most employers require for work with children. University faculty may also be asked for doctoral transcripts and letters confirming previous academic appointments.

Work permits and recognition

Foreign teachers in Jordan normally work under a permit obtained by the employing school from the Ministry of Labour, followed by residence. Private schools are supervised by the Ministry of Education, which may review teachers’ qualifications, and university appointments may require equivalency of the teacher’s degree from the Ministry of Higher Education. Jordanian-American teachers returning to public schools usually go through the ministry’s own hiring and equivalency procedures.

Preparing each document

Degrees and transcripts are prepared through the registrar, signed before a notary. A state teaching license can usually be obtained as a certified copy or verification from the state department of education. Experience letters are signed by a principal or district official in front of a notary. TEFL certificates from private providers need a notarized statement or true-copy certification. The FBI result is a federal document and goes straight to the U.S. Department of State.

One embassy, one order

Unlike some countries, Jordan legalizes academic and professional documents at the same place: the Embassy of Jordan in Washington, D.C., after state and federal authentication. Jordan does not accept apostilles. Ordering the whole teaching file together under Case 3 keeps names and dates consistent; the embassy usually needs about a week once the U.S. steps are complete, so start well before the school year.