These questions and answers are based upon current laws and regulations and are subject to change by the State Board of Education and/or the Professional Standards and Teacher Education Board.
1. What is licensure?
Licensure is the process of verifying that each educator required to hold a license in Maryland has the qualifications and appropriate training to execute his/her professional responsibilities.
2. Who must hold a Maryland educator license?
Teachers, specialists, and administrators in Maryland public schools, including nonpublic special education programs and schools operated by a Maryland state agency, must hold a valid license appropriate to the field of employment. If you are unsure if you must hold an educator license, contact your employer to inquire.
3. How do I qualify for a Maryland license?
There are several pathways to licensure in Maryland. Visit our
Pathways to Licensure webpage for more information
4. How do I apply for Maryland licensure?
Applications for licensure are submitted through
The Educator Application and Certification Hub (TEACH). If you are under contract with a Maryland public school district, a State-operated agency, or a nonpublic special education facility, please contact your employer directly to determine if there are additional requirements you must complete during the application process.
5. How long will it take to process my certification application?
MSDE will process an application for licensure within 8 weeks of submission if all of the required documents have been provided. If there are deficiencies in the application, you will be notified through your TEACH Dashboard and via email. Service members, veterans, and their spouses are entitled to
expedited processing.
6. How much does an application for licensure cost?
A $10 processing fee is required for the issuance of a license. If your application is approved, you will receive a notification to log on to your TEACH Dashboard and make a payment. Visa and Mastercard are accepted.
7. I have a criminal record. Am I eligible for licensure?
It depends. There are reasons established in
Maryland regulations that require MSDE to deny an application for licensure. Pleading guilty, or nolo contender with respect to, receiving probation before judgment, or being convinced of certain crimes requires MSDE to deny an application. Crimes involving the following require a finite or infinite denial depending on the crime and circumstances:
- Contributing to the delinquency of a minor
- Moral turpitude if the offense bears directly on the individual’s fitness for employment in education
- Sexual offense in the third or fourth-degree
- A controlled dangerous substance offense if the offense occurred on school property or during a school event or the clerk of the court has determined that there is a relationship between the conviction and the license
- Child abuse or neglect
- Possession, distribution, receipt, or production of child pornography
- Sexual solicitation of a minor
- A crime of violence as defined in
Criminal Law Article, §14-101, Annotated Code of Maryland, or a comparable crime in another state
8. I have/had disciplinary action on my license from another state. Am I eligible to apply for licensure in Maryland?
It depends. Maryland regulations require MSDE to deny an application for licensure if the applicant had a license suspended, revoked, denied, or voluntarily surrendered in another state for a cause that would be grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation in Maryland. It is important that you disclose all previous disciplinary actions on your application for licensure.
9. What Maryland licenses are available?
There are 4 professional licenses: Temporary Professional, Initial Professional, Professional, and Advanced Professional. There are additional licenses that may be issued based on employment with a Maryland public school. Please visit the
Types of Licenses webpage for further information.
10. How do I add another licensure area/endorsement to my existing license?
It depends on the area of licensure you currently hold and what areas you would like to add. Visit our
Endorsement page for more information.
11. Will services as a substitute count toward required experience?
Service as a day-to-day substitute is not acceptable. However, satisfactory service as a long-term substitute for a minimum of 3 months in the same assignment may be credited.
12. What types of teaching experience will not count toward licensure that requires experience?
The following types of experience are not acceptable:
Teacher of adult classes of persons 21 years or older (except if applying for an area of Professional and Technical Education)
Day-to-day substitute teaching
Teacher of college coursework
13. Are quarter hours equivalent to semester hours of credit?
No. A quarter-hour is equal to two-thirds of a semester credit hour.
14. How will the MSDE communicate with me regarding my application for licensure?
The MSDE communicates to applicants and existing educators via
The Educator Application and Certification Hub (TEACH), as well as through email. You must keep your email address up to date through your TEACH Dashboard.
15. Where can I find a copy of my license?
You may log onto
The Educator Application and Certification Hub (TEACH) to download a copy of your past and current educator licenses. You will be required to complete a one-time registration to access TEACH.
Need help? Check out
TEACH Guide for Applicants
16. How do I submit my transcripts?
Transcripts may be submitted in one of the following ways:
- Ordered from Parchment, which will be sent directly to TEACH
- Electronically sent to
certificationtranscripts.msde@maryland.gov directly from an alternative e-transcript service
- Mailed to the MSDE office of certification directly from the Institution of Higher Education or in a sealed student mailer
- Sent directly to your employer if you are under contract with a Maryland local school district or state-operated school. Check with your employer for the method of transcript receipt.