February 18, 2008

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requently Asked Questions concerning Teacher Certification and Highly Qualified Status
Am I required to have a license to work as an educator in Massachusetts?   
Yes. You must be licensed to work as a teacher, teacher specialist, professional support personnel, or administrator in the public schools of Massachusetts. Vocational technical educators are also required to be licensed. The categories of vocational technical educator licensure are teacher, administrator and cooperative education coordinator.
Who issues educator licenses in Massachusetts and how can I apply?  
All academic and vocational technical educator licenses are issued by the Department of Education, Office of Educator Licensure. There are two ways to apply for an educator license in Massachusetts:
on-line at www.doe.mass.edu/educators
submit a paper application [PDF] to:

The Office of Educator Licensure,
350 Main Street,
Malden, MA 02148.

Note: Vocational technical educator license candidates should mark the envelope ATTEN: Vocational Technical Educator Licensure.
How much does it cost to apply?  
It costs $100 to apply for the first educator license and $25 for each additional license. You can pay either by credit card, certified check or money order. Vocational technical educator licenses have the same fee structure.

What are the different categories of academic educator licenses available in Massachusetts? What are the categories for vocational technical education?  
There are four categories of educator licenses in Massachusetts, reflecting the different roles educators can have in the schools and school districts:
Administrator
Teacher
Specialist Teacher
School Support Personnel

The categories for vocational technical education are teacher, administrator and cooperative education coordinator.

What are the different types or stages of educator licenses available in Massachusetts? What are the types for vocational technical education?  
There are three types or stages of educator licenses, reflecting the level of knowledge, skills and experience of an educator:
Preliminary
Initial
Professional

For vocational technical teachers they are Preliminary and Professional. For all others they are Initial and Professional.

Guide to Massachusetts Teacher Licenses anLevels

What is the difference between Certification and Licensure?
They have essentially the same definition. "Certification" or "Certificate" were terms used in Massachusetts under the old regulations and "Licensure" or "License" are the terms now used under the new regulations.
What is the difference between the Provisional license and the Preliminary license?
They have essentially the same definition. "Provisional" was the term used in Massachusetts under the old regulations and "Preliminary" is the term used now under the new regulations.
What are the different grade levels for academic educator licenses in Massachusetts? For vocational technical education?  
There are several different numerical grade levels designated for academic educator licensure in Massachusetts. Generally, they fall into four major categories of grade levels:
Early Childhood
Elementary
Middle School
High School
Note: 9-14 for Vocational Technical Education.

How do I know for which academic license to apply?   
If you are becoming an academic educator and you have not completed an approved educator preparation program, you probably should apply for a Preliminary teacher license in a subject area you have knowledge. For instance, if you have a bachelor`s degree in mathematics, all you need is to pass the Communications and Literacy Skills Test and the Math Subject-Matter Knowledge Test to become a licensed educator in Massachusetts. Your Preliminary Math Teacher license will be good for five years employment.

Where can I see a list of the educator licenses that are offered in Massachusetts?
To see the licenses that are offered in Massachusetts, and to learn about the requirements for these licenses, please go to the MA DOE's Section 7.04 Types of Licenses, Requirements for Licensure, Licenses Issued, and Requirements for Field-Based Experience and Licensure Help On-line website.
Can I become licensed in multiple subject areas?
Yes, you can. In general you need to take an MTEL Subject-Matter Test in the additional field (subject) in which you wish to be licensed, apply online and submit the fee to the MA DOE. (See Section 7.14 General Provisions/Additional Licenses for exceptions to this policy.)
To see statistics on average salaries for public school teachers, please see the National Education Association's Rankings and Estimates.
How do I know which license to apply for?
If you are becoming an educator and you need to determine the licenses for which you are potentially eligible, please link to the Department of Education https://www4.doemass.org/elar/licensurehelp/EducatorLicensesPageControl.ser and follow the steps in order to determine your license(s) eligibility.

What tests are required for Licensure in Massachusetts?
In order to meet the Licensure requirements, you must pass the appropriate Massachusetts Test(s) for Educator Licensure (MTEL). A Communication and Literacy test is needed for all types of license (teachers, specialist teachers, support personnel and administrators). In addition, a Subject Matter test is required for all teaching and specialist teaching subject areas.
After Aug. 30, 2003 all candidates for licenses in Early Childhood, Elementary Education and Moderate Special Needs programs must take and pass the Foundations of Reading test.
Click here for what subject matter test to take http://www.doe.mass.edu/mtel/test require.html
Do I have to take the test before I apply for licensure?  
No. You may apply for licensure at any time. You should, however, review information using our Licensure Help process to review the requirements for your areas of interest.

I currently hold a Massachusetts Initial license. How does teaching out-of-state or out of the country affect the validity of my Initial license?
The Initial license is valid for five years of employment in Massachusetts. If you have taught out-of-state or out of the country while holding the Initial license, that experience does not count against the five years of validity that are allotted.
I hold an expired Standard or Professional license. Do I need to take the MTEL exam in order to renew my license?
No. In order to renew your license you will need to obtain Professional Development Points and apply for recertification. For more information on recertification, please see the DOE's website.
I took the MTEL exam a number of years ago. Are my MTEL scores still valid?
Yes. MTEL scores do not expire. If you wish to obtain an additional copy of your MTEL score report, you may do so via the form and instructions on the

I have already passed an academic educator test in another state. Do I still need to take the MTEL?  
Yes, you must take the MTEL. No other licensure test is considered to be comparable to the MTEL.

How long will the educator licensure application process take?   
It is not possible to say exactly how long it will take. The answer depends on several factors, such as the type of license, the volume of applications being processed at the time, and whether the application was filled out correctly and completely. However, the Department of Education is committed to completing the application process for each applicant as quickly as possible.

How can I upgrade my academic Preliminary license to an academic Initial license?   
In addition to the subject-matter knowledge, to get the Initial license, you must have acquired the pedagogical knowledge and skills needed to teach the subject. With the exception of the Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent license, to obtain the Initial license you must complete an approved educator preparation program. That is an educator-training program usually offered by a Massachusetts college or university that has been reviewed and approved by the Department of Education. There are also DOE-approved district-based programs. They are listed on the DOE website, as are all the approved programs by different licensure areas.

How do I check the status of my licensure application?
You can check the status of your application through the DOE's on-line system. To do this, go to the DOE's Licensure website and click on "Check Status."
How can I request a duplicate copy of my license?
You can request a duplicate copy of your license through the DOE's on-line system. To do this, go to the DOE's Licensure website and click on "Request Duplicate."
Where can I find information on licensure requirements and procedures for states other than Massachusetts (Reciprocity)?
Massachusetts has reciprocity with 46 states for Teacher licensure, 28 states for Administrator licensure, and 24 states for Support Personnel licensure. Please see our Reciprocity and Links to State Licensure Offices web page and the NASDTEC web page for the specific states and other details.
What are the state-approved programs in MA?
A list of state-approved Educator Preparation Programs at higher education institutions, districts, and through the DOE can be found on the DOE website.

MVPS does not have an approved program for academic licenses, and I can`t enroll in a college or university at this time. Are there other options?   
If you have an academic Preliminary license in a core academic subject and three years of employment under the license, you may be eligible for an assessment by a Licensure Review Panel.

What is the Panel Review Process, and how do I initiate this process?
As stated in the DOE's licensure regulations, the Panel Review is "the process used by the Department for reviewing and recommending candidates for Initial licensure who have substantial experience and formal education relevant to the license sought but have not met the specific license requirements." The DOE provides a Panel Review Process for Administrators and Support Personnel applicants. To request a Panel Review, first apply for the license, and then send a letter to the address below stating that you've applied on-line and that you are interested in the Panel Review Process:
Mr. Marion Gillon
The Office of Certification and Licensure
The Massachusetts Department of Education
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148
I completed a program out of state for academic licensure. How do I know if it will be honored in Massachusetts?  
Educator preparation programs approved by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) or the National Association for State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) are acceptable in Massachusetts. For further information on NCATE, please visit www.ncate.org and for further information on NASDTEC, please visit www.nasdtec.org. In order to facilitate licensure in Massachusetts, check with your institution's Registrar or Dean to see if your educator preparation program falls within either of the above two reciprocal options. If so, you will need a Verification Form completed, signed and officially stamped by your institution as their endorsement. Another option would be to submit a letter of recommendation or endorsement from the program. The letter must state that you completed their program, in addition it must state the specific type, field, and grade level(s) of your preparation. Letters submitted from colleges or universities must be signed by the Registrar or Dean. Recommendations or endorsements may also be printed or stamped on your transcripts.

Is it possible to be hired as an educator without a license?   
Yes. Superintendents may request the Department of Education to grant a waiver to hire an unlicensed educator for one school year, if his or her school district has been unsuccessful in its good-faith effort to hire a licensed educator for the position. The Department of Education may renew the waiver for an additional year, if the educator working under the wavier makes substantial progress towards meeting the licensure requirements and the hardship continues to exist in the school district. Superintendents may also apply for waivers for vocational technical educators for the same reasons.

I attended a college/university outside the U.S. What steps do I need to take so the DOE will recognize my foreign coursework/degrees?  
Applicants seeking licensure on the basis of foreign (non-U.S.) coursework and/or diplomas must provide the Office of Educator Licensure with a detailed equivalency report or course-by-course evaluation of any college-level credit completed. Independent evaluations must be made by a nationally recognized agency, such as those listed at www.doe.mass.edu/educators/foreignequivalence.html

Can I piece together coursework and fieldwork requirements for Initial Massachusetts licensure without being officially enrolled in a state-approved program?
Generally, no. In order to be eligible for a Massachusetts license at the Initial stage, you must complete all requirements of a state-approved educator preparation program. However, the DOE provides a Panel Review process for Administrators and Support Personnel applicants who have not met all of the licensure requirements but who have significant experience and formal education relevant to the license sought. The DOE also offers an Apprenticeship/Internship option for Administrator licenses.

I have a bachelor's degree. If I pass the General Curriculum(formerly known as Elementary) Teacher Subject-Matter Test and the Communications and Literacy Skills Test, and Foundations of Reading can I get a Preliminary Elementary Teacher license?
No. There are additional pedagogical requirements for the Elementary, Early Childhood and Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities licenses, including:
Seminars or courses that address the teaching of
Reading
English Language Arts,
Mathematics
Seminars or courses on preparing and maintaining students with disabilities in general classrooms.
I already have, or am working toward, a Masters degree. I would like to meet requirements for the Initial teacher license, but I do not want to enroll in an additional Masters program. What are my options?
Please see information on the Performance Review Program for Initial Licensure.
Do I need to be a United States citizen or to have received a bachelor's degree from a United States postsecondary institution in order to be eligible for licensure in Massachusetts?
Citizens of all countries are eligible for licensure in Massachusetts. However, all applicants for Massachusetts licensure must have a bachelor's degree from a United States institution of higher learning, or its equivalent. Students interested in licensure who do not have a United States bachelor's degree should seek determination of their eligibility by submitting their undergraduate transcripts for equivalency assessment to one of several agencies. Please visit the DOE website for complete information on agencies that offer this service. For example, students can contact the Center for Educational Evaluation at (617) 338-7171 or access the Center's user-friendly website for specifics regarding how to get their transcripts assessed. Students affected by this regulation should seek equivalency assessment early in their first semester of study.

Can I speak with an official MA State Officer about my individual Licensure concerns?
Yes, you can. The MA DOE Call Center is available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:00AM - 4:45PM and Wednesday from 9:00AM to 7:00PM at 781-338-6600. In-person assistance is available from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Educator Licensure Service Office on the third floor of the Department of Education, 350 Main Street in Malden.

If I am still confused, who should I speak with?
Speak with your building principal or Laurie Halt, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction.