Maryland Teacher Certification Requirements
Becoming a certified teacher in Maryland starts with a bachelor’s degree from an approved teacher preparation program, supervised clinical experience, and meeting the state’s current testing requirements, which may include Praxis assessments depending on your certification area. Maryland then issues an Initial Professional License, followed by Professional and Advanced Professional Licenses as you gain experience.
Sponsored School(s)
Every path to a Maryland teaching license runs through the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), but the paperwork looks different depending on where you’re starting from. A career-changer with a business degree follows a different track than a certified teacher moving in from Virginia, and a paraprofessional already working in a Maryland classroom has options neither of them does. Find the situation that matches yours below, or keep reading for the traditional certification process from start to finish.
- Initial Teaching Certification…
- I’m a teacher from another state…
- Teacher Certification Renewal…
- Admin./Principal Certification…
- Alternative Teaching Certification…
- Substitute Teaching Permit…
Getting Involved in Maryland Education Policy
Certification gets you into the classroom, but the conditions you teach under are shaped well before that, by state budgets and the officials who set them. Maryland’s investment in education, and how it compares to the rest of the country, is worth understanding before your first year in front of students. (See State Education Spending vs. Overall State Revenue).
Initial Maryland Teaching Certification
The Maryland State Department of Education (ph: 410-767-0390) issues Maryland’s public school teaching license across six general teaching areas: Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Middle School, Secondary, Special Education, and Specialty Areas. Each area has its own education requirements. If you’re pursuing certification in Secondary, Special Education, or one of the Specialty Areas, you’ll be certified in a specific academic content area rather than a general grade band. Find schools offering teaching certification programs in Maryland.
Maryland uses a tiered licensure system. Every new teacher starts with an Initial Professional License (IPL), valid for five years, once they’ve met the requirements below. From there, teachers can advance to a Professional License (PL) after three years of effective performance or completion of a Maryland induction program, and then to an Advanced Professional License (APL) with a master’s degree, a National Board Certificate, or 30 semester hours of post-baccalaureate credit.
Education Requirements
The education component is satisfied when you complete a Maryland-approved teacher preparation program leading to certification in one of the six teaching areas. If you’re pursuing Secondary, Special Education, or a Specialty Area, the undergraduate degree you earn will be specific to the content area you’ll be certified to teach.
Many of Maryland’s approved teacher preparation programs are post-graduate, master’s-level programs that build on a content-focused undergraduate degree. Others are five-year combined bachelor’s-and-post-baccalaureate programs that lead to certification without awarding a master’s degree, and some run a full six years and award both.
Attending an in-state, pre-approved program isn’t required. You’re eligible for the Initial Professional License with a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate from a non-approved in-state school, an out-of-state school, or an online school, as long as you meet the coursework, experience, and testing requirements for your certification area:
Maryland reorganized its educator licensure regulations effective April 1, 2024 (COMAR Subtitle 12, “Educator Licensure”), so the specific requirements for each area below are best confirmed directly through MSDE rather than an old regulation citation:
- Early Childhood Education (PreK-3)
- Elementary Education
- Middle School
- Secondary
- Special Education
- Specialty Areas (PreK-12)
See MSDE’s current regulations and regulatory review page for the specific requirements in effect for each area.
Examinations
An overview of Maryland testing requirements is available through ETS’s Praxis state requirements tool.
Basic Skills testing:
As a candidate for Maryland teaching certification, you’ll generally need to meet Maryland’s basic skills assessment requirement by demonstrating proficiency in math, reading, writing, and comprehension. MSDE typically accepts qualifying scores from the Praxis Core, SAT, GRE, or ACT. This requirement is met by achieving current qualifying scores established by the Maryland State Department of Education on one of the following:
- Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (Reading, Writing, Math)
- SAT (combined Math and Verbal/Critical Reading score)
- GRE (combined Verbal and Quantitative score)
- ACT (composite score)
Qualifying scores change periodically. Check ETS’s state requirements tool for the Maryland scores in effect when you apply.
Content area assessment testing:
After meeting the basic skills requirement, you’ll prepare for your content area assessment, known as the Praxis Subject Assessments (formerly branded “Praxis II”). If you’re pursuing an Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School, or Special Education certificate, you’ll take the exam specific to that certification. If you’re pursuing Secondary Education or Specialty Area certification, you’ll take the exam specific to the content area you majored in and will teach. Most certification areas require passing a Praxis Subject Assessment or other state-approved content test for each area in which you want to be certified. Foreign language certification typically requires ACTFL language proficiency assessments, as specified by MSDE. Praxis Subject Assessment content areas include:
- Art
- Biology
- Business Education
- Chemistry
- Early Childhood
- Earth/Space
- Elementary Education
- English
- English as a Second Language (ESOL)
- Family and Consumer Sciences
- French
- Geography
- German
- Health
- History
- Latin
- Mathematics
- Music
- Physics
- Physical Education
- Physical Science
- Political Science
- Social Studies
- Spanish
- Special Education
- Technology Education
- Theater
- School Psychologist
- Reading Option
- Middle School
Experience Requirements
Teacher preparation programs include supervised clinical experience, often called a practicum or student teaching, that meets Maryland’s certification requirements for your program and certification area. Practicums typically take place in a public or accredited nonpublic school, with placement matched to the age or grade level and subject area of your intended certification.
During your practicum, you’ll typically work under a mentor teacher, observing lessons before developing and teaching lesson plans under supervision.
Your teacher preparation program sets the specific length and requirements of your practicum, which can vary by institution.
Document and Application Requirements
As part of the Maryland teacher certification process, you’ll create an account on the TEACH Dashboard to apply online. You can also submit the following documents by postal mail directly to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), Certification Branch, 200 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201:
- Official, unopened transcript from your Maryland-approved teacher preparation program, or transcripts showing that the required coursework was completed
- Proof of meeting basic skills requirements and passing the Praxis Subject Assessment (or other state-approved content test) specific to your content area
- Completed MSDE Initial Application for Certification (under the Forms/Resources section)
- Cover letter including your name, address, telephone number, email, and the certification area you’re seeking
If you already hold a bachelor’s degree or higher without educator preparation coursework, were previously certified in Maryland, hold certification or attended school in another state or country, hold certification and want to add an additional area, or are interested in alternative certification, review your specific document requirements before applying.
Criminal History Background Check
As the final step before hiring, Maryland school systems require a criminal history background check. This involves completing an Application for Criminal History Records Check through the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, which provides a Livescan Pre-registration Application on its Fingerprint Services page, along with a signed Disclosure Statement covering any criminal history.
You’ll also submit to fingerprinting at any approved Maryland fingerprinting location and pay the associated fees. Your application is processed through the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, with results forwarded to MSDE.
Contact Information
Colleges and universities that offer Maryland-approved teacher education programs can answer questions specific to their programs.
Additional questions about Maryland teacher certification can be directed to MSDE’s Certification Branch at 410-767-0390, or by visiting the MSDE website.
Maryland Teacher Salary and Job Outlook
Nationally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a slight decline in teaching employment through 2034, driven by enrollment trends. Maryland bucks that pattern: state projections show modest growth across every K-12 teaching category over the same period, from 0.6% for elementary and middle school teachers to 0.9% for kindergarten and secondary teachers. See our Maryland Teaching Salaries and Benefits guide for a deeper look at pay by district and retirement benefits.
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage | Job Growth (2024-2034) |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | $75,910 | 0.9% |
| Elementary School Teachers | $77,680 | 0.6% |
| Middle School Teachers | $78,510 | 0.6% |
| Secondary (High) School Teachers | $78,670 | 0.9% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What degree do I need to become a certified teacher in Maryland?
You need at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, completed alongside or followed by a Maryland-approved teacher preparation program. The content area of the degree depends on the grade level and subject you plan to teach.
How long does Maryland teacher certification take?
For the traditional path, plan on four years for the bachelor’s degree and teacher preparation program combined, plus the time needed to meet Maryland’s testing requirements, which may include Praxis assessments. Alternative certification candidates who already hold a bachelor’s degree can often begin teaching with a provisional credential while completing coursework and testing.
What is an Initial Professional License?
It’s the entry-level teaching license that MSDE issues to candidates who complete their education, exams, and background checks. It’s valid for five years, after which teachers typically advance to a Professional License or renew, depending on their experience.
Do I have to attend a Maryland school to get certified?
No. You can earn your degree at an out-of-state or online school and still qualify for Maryland certification, as long as your coursework, testing, and experience meet MSDE’s requirements for your certification area.
What if my bachelor’s degree isn’t in education?
Maryland’s alternative certification routes allow career changers with a bachelor’s degree in another field to begin teaching under a provisional license while completing required coursework and exams. See our Maryland alternative certification guide for the specific requirements.
- Bachelor’s degree required. Every certification path starts here, whether it’s an education degree or a degree in another field paired with an approved preparation program.
- Tiered licensure. Maryland issues an Initial Professional License first, with Professional and Advanced Professional Licenses available as you gain experience or additional credentials.
- Most applicants must satisfy Maryland’s testing requirements. These typically include Praxis assessments or other state-approved testing options, depending on the certification pathway.
- Maryland’s teacher job market is growing, not shrinking. State projections show modest employment growth across every K-12 category through 2034, unlike the national trend.
Find accredited teacher certification programs in Maryland, including application requirements and licensing timelines for your certification path.
May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS wage estimates and 2024-2034 employment projections for Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Middle School Teachers, and High School Teachers, reflect state and national data, not school-specific outcomes. State or district job-growth projections are sourced separately from national BLS outlook data. Conditions vary by school sector, subject area, and district. Data accessed July 2026.
