Jenifer,

Most locales say they require an ALA-accredited MLS or its
equivalent.

The ALA's web site (www.ala.org) includes a section on
Education and Careers that includes this on Foreign
degrees:
"Q: I have a degree from a foreign institution. How can I
find out if it is equivalent to an ALA-accredited
master's? What courses or tests can I take to be
"accredited?"
A: Ultimately, it is up to the employer to determine
whether or not to accept a foreign degree as equivalent to
an ALA-accredited master's. There is no set of courses or
tests to take to be "accredited." The ALA Office for Human
Resource Development and Recruitment has identified
agencies that, for a fee, will evaluate foreign
credentials."

I suggest your policy should allow for equivalent degrees
and point to these services with some requirement for the
candidate to prove their degree is equivalent.

J.

J. Shore
Systems Librarian - MEDLINE Quality Assurance
National Library of Medicine
Bethesda, MD, USA

shorej@cablespeed.com