Maryland Teacher Certification Definitions

Teachers, specialists, administrators, and certain nonpublic school personnel employed in special education facilities must hold a valid certification that meets state requirements.

Teaching Certification in Maryland

Maryland teachers receive certification typically by completing a college or university state-approved educator program. Those who hold a valid out of-state- certificate may be eligible with certain additional course requirements. Also, an interstate certificate may be granted to those with at least three years of experience within a seven-year period. Praxis exam requirements vary according to specialty.

Process and Fees

Applications for teaching certificates are accepted by mail or online. Completed applications, including a $10 fee per certificate or renewal, and will be processed in about 90 days. Note: Duplicate certifications are not issued, however written verification forms may be obtained from MSDE, 200 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21201

Interstate Agreement Only teachers with professional certification and three out of seven years teaching experience will be eligible for interstate reciprocity.

Provisional Certification

This may be granted to teachers who do not meet full-time requirements, but are working towards full teaching certification. Typically, an undergraduate degree in a subject area is the only requirement, and the teacher has yet to complete the Praxis exams or professional education. Provisional certification is valid for one year, and may be renewed up to four times, depending upon which requirements remain to be fulfilled. Provisional certification also may be an intermediary measure for teachers who have out-of-state certificates, but do not yet meet all of Maryland's credit requirements.

Professional Certification

Level I certification is for three years; Level II is for seven years. "Advanced Professional" requires a master's degree- or 36 credits that include 24 graduate-level credits and 12 undergraduate credits.

Private Schools

Bachelors degree or 120 hours college credit, in addition to requirements determined by the individual school.

Adding Certification Areas

Teachers must complete an approved program in the certification area, including 36 semester hours (24 specific and 12 related). These teachers also need to pass the required Praxis II .

Substitute Teaching Credit

Day-to-day substitute teaching does not count for professional experience credit, however a long-term substitute teacher may in some circumstances receive credit. Typically this occurs after about nine months of experience consisting of a minimum of three-month assignments. Other teaching experiences- such as adult (over 21) education, day-to day substitute teaching and college teaching positions- will not count toward certification.

Pre-Professional

Resident Teacher Certification - Authorized alternative, or temporary. Generally issued to Liberal Arts graduatess and career changers. Only Baltimore County, Howard County and Prince George's County offer the program.

Professional Eligibility - Meets all requirements, but not employed in a public school.