Achieving certified teacher status in Maryland is a structured process governed by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). The state offers multiple pathways to licensure, accommodating both recent college graduates and experienced career changers looking to enter the classroom. This guide provides a step-by-step overview of the requirements, certification levels, and administrative procedures necessary to begin a teaching career in the state.
Foundational Requirements for Maryland Certification
All individuals seeking a teaching certificate in Maryland must satisfy several academic prerequisites. The minimum requirement is holding a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
Maryland also sets specific standards for the applicant’s academic performance. While the exact requirements can vary based on the specific preparation program, a common stipulation is a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 on the most recently earned degree. Candidates who do not meet this GPA standard are generally required to demonstrate proficiency through alternative means, such as passing the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test.
Understanding Maryland Certification Types
Maryland operates a tiered system of professional credentials. The initial credential for individuals who have met all requirements but are not yet employed by a Maryland public school is the Professional Eligibility Certificate (PEC). The PEC is an entry-level license that qualifies the holder to seek a teaching position.
Once a PEC holder is hired by a Maryland public school or an accredited non-public school, the certificate typically transitions into a Standard Professional Certificate I (SPC I). The next level is the Advanced Professional Certificate (APC), which is the state’s highest-tier, renewable certificate for experienced educators. Achieving the APC requires additional experience, education, and professional development beyond the initial license.
The Traditional Pathway to Certification
The most common route for aspiring educators is the traditional pathway. This path requires the completion of a Maryland-Approved Program (MAP) for teacher preparation, which is offered by colleges and universities within the state. These programs combine coursework with a required clinical internship, often involving a student-teaching practicum.
For candidates who completed an approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP) outside of Maryland, the state facilitates mobility through the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement for Educator Licensure. This agreement allows Maryland to recognize preparation completed in other member states. Out-of-state applicants must still provide verification of their program completion and meet all Maryland-specific assessment requirements, such as the required Praxis exams.
Alternative Routes for Career Changers
Maryland provides several structured alternative pathways designed for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree but did not complete a traditional teacher preparation program. These routes benefit career changers with content expertise. One prominent option is the Maryland Approved Alternative Preparation Program (MAAPP), often established in partnership with local school systems to address shortage areas.
A MAAPP candidate often begins teaching under a Resident Teacher Certificate (RTC), which allows them to work as a full-time teacher while simultaneously completing their professional training. The RTC is generally a three-year non-renewable license contingent upon the candidate being enrolled in an alternative preparation program. Another option is the Conditional Certificate, a temporary, two-year credential issued to individuals hired by a school system who still need to complete specific testing or coursework requirements. All alternative routes mandate a bachelor’s degree and require candidates to pass content area tests before beginning their classroom placement.
Required Examinations and Assessments
All candidates for Maryland teacher certification must satisfy the state’s testing requirements. For candidates whose most recent degree GPA is below 3.0, the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exam is mandatory, covering reading, writing, and mathematics. Alternatively, the MSDE accepts qualifying scores from other standardized tests, such as a composite score of 24 on the ACT or a combined score of 1180 on the SAT taken after January 2019, as a substitute for the Praxis Core.
In addition to the basic skills assessment, every applicant must pass the Praxis Subject Assessments, which confirms mastery of the content area they intend to teach. The required subject exam varies based on the applicant’s desired teaching field. Furthermore, candidates must complete a pedagogy assessment, which often takes the form of the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching exam or a performance-based portfolio assessment like the edTPA or PPAT. All official test results must be sent directly from the testing service to the Maryland State Department of Education to be considered valid for certification.
Completing the MSDE Application Process
The final step is the formal application for licensure, submitted through the MSDE’s online portal, The Educator Application and Credentialing Hub (TEACH). Candidates must upload all required documentation, including official, unopened transcripts from regionally accredited institutions.
A mandatory component of the application process is the completion of a comprehensive criminal history background check and fingerprinting. Applicants must arrange for digital fingerprinting through an approved vendor. This process must be completed before the MSDE will issue any certificate.
Maintaining and Advancing Your Certification
The initial Standard Professional Certificate I (SPC I) is valid for five years. To advance to the next level, the Professional License (PL), an educator must complete three years of satisfactory teaching experience and a Maryland induction program. To maintain and renew any professional certificate, educators must submit documentation of accepted continuing education.
Experienced educators often seek the Advanced Professional License (APL), which is also valid for five years. Advancement to the APL requires completing a Maryland induction program or three years of effective performance, and meeting one of several advanced academic criteria. These criteria include holding a master’s degree, completing 30 semester hours of post-baccalaureate credit, or obtaining National Board Certification along with 12 graduate-level credits. For both renewal and advancement, educators must submit an Individualized Professional Development Plan demonstrating the completion of 90 Professional Development Points (PDPs) every five years, covering content, pedagogy, special education, and culturally responsive teaching.
Finding a Teaching Position in Maryland
Achieving a teaching certificate confirms eligibility to teach, but it does not guarantee employment. Prospective teachers must apply directly to the 24 Local Education Agencies (LEAs), which are the county public school systems responsible for hiring. Each LEA manages its own recruitment and hiring process.
The Maryland State Department of Education maintains resources, including the Teach Maryland website, to help candidates locate available positions across the state. Utilizing the MSDE’s job board and directly contacting the human resources departments of the LEAs are the most effective strategies for securing a teaching contract.