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Renewal

​How do I renew my Maryland Teaching Certificate?

An applicant who receives a certificate is responsible for initiating the renewal of the certificate

1.  If you are under contract in a Maryland local school system, a non-public school providing services to special education students, or a State institution, your renewal request will be processed by your employer.

2.  If you are not currently employed in a local school ​ system, non-public school providing services to special education students, or a State institution, please submit the following within 90 days of certificate expiration:
  •  ​A cover letter requesting a renewal of your certificate. Please include your full name, email address, last 4 digits of your social security number, and telephone number;
  • Six semester hours of acceptable credit* 

*​Acceptable credit is credit that is:

To request a renewal of your certificate, please submit the following:
  • A cover letter with your name, mailing address, last 4 digits of your social security number, date of birth and personal email address.
  •  Official transcript(s) in an unopened mailer or MSDE Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits earned within the past five (5) years.  

Documents may be mailed to:
                Maryland State Department of Education
                Certification Branch
                200 W. Baltimore Street
                Baltimore, MD 21201

Document may be sent electronically to certdocuments.msde@maryland.gov
(Transcripts must come to this address directly from the Institute of Higher Education or an e-transcript service.  Unofficial transcripts will not be accepted.​​)

​​​Renewal requirements are outlined in
 COMAR 13A.12.01.11​​​​

​Attention School Counselors:

On October 6, 2016, regulations were adopted that established additional renewal/reinstatement requirements for school counselors.  

Upon renewal/reinstatement of a certificate in school counseling, an individual must present 6 acceptable credits, which shall include:

  • One hour of coursework; or
  • One CPD; or
  • An equivalent number of CEUs that addresses the following:

(a) The need for intervention or referral in response to indicators of mental illness and behavioral distress, including, but not limited to:
  • Depression;
  • Trauma;
  • Violence;
  • Youth Suicide; and
  • Substance Abuse.

(b) The identification of professional resources and best practices for distributing resources to parents or guardians to help students in crisis.

Policy allows school counselors who currently hold a valid certificate one full renewal cycle prior to having to meet this requirement. 

Attention Teachers of the Blind/Visually Impaired:

If you hold a certification in the area of Blind/Visually Impaired, credit toward renewal must include maintenance of knowledge of Braille code.