Massachusetts Teacher Certification Renewal
Learn how to renew a Professional Educator Certification or reinstate a Professional Educator Certification in Massachusetts
Teaching Certification Renewal
Once you receive your Initial Teaching License in Massachusetts, it is valid for five years. After that first five-year term, you should apply for your Professional Teaching License. Requirements for a Professional Teaching License in Massachusetts are as follows:
- Three years of teaching experience under a Massachusetts Initial Teaching License
- Completion of a Teacher Induction Program during your first year of employment as a teacher
- Completion of 50 hours of mentoring beyond the Teacher Induction Program
- Completion of one of the following options:
- 50 hours of approved content-based seminars offered by your school district
- A Master’s Degree in Education program or in your subject matter field
- If you already hold a Master’s Degree, complete a 12 credit academic program with at least 9 credits in your academic licensure area
- Receive Master Teacher Status by becoming certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
- Complete a State Performance Assessment Program (when available)
When received, your Professional License is valid for five years. To renew it, you must complete approved Professional Development Points (PDPs) and submit a Professional Development Plan endorsed by your school administrator. Also, complete the Application for Professional License Renewal.
- For your primary area of licensure, you must complete 150 PDPs
- For each additional area of licensure, you must complete 30 PDPs
Sponsored School(s)
Reinstatement of Certification
If your teaching license has been expired for five or more years, it is considered invalid. If you are hired on an invalid license, you have two years while employed to complete the correct number of PDPs to make the license valid. Once you meet the requirements, you may apply to have your license reinstated via the Application for Professional License Renewal.
