Educator Licenses

License Type ​Eligibility Criteria ​Validity
​Initial Professional License (IPL)
 ​Issued to an educator who meets the requirements of one of the pathways to initial licensure
 ​Five-year renewable license
​Professional License (PL)
 ​Five-year renewable license
​Advanced Professional License (APL)
  • ​Meet the requirements of one of the pathways to initial licensure
  • Complete a Maryland induction program or 3 years of effective performance
  • Submit one of the following:
    • National Board Certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
    • Master's degree (or higher)
    • 30 semester hours of post-baccalaureate credit
 ​Five-year renewable license
​Temporary Professional License (TPL)
 Issued by a Maryland local school district, State-operated school, or nonpublic special education program to an employed teacher who has completed an out-of-State teacher preparation program or holds a valid out of-State professional license, and meets all of the requirements for licensure except Maryland licensure assessments 
 ​Two-year non-renewable license
​Conditional License (CL)
 ​Issued by a Maryland local school district, State-operated school, or nonpublic special education program to an employed teacher who is working toward professional licensure 
 ​Three-year non-renewable license for special education
Five-year non-renewable license for all other teaching areas
​Resident Teacher License (RTL)
​Issued by a Maryland local school district, State-operated school, or nonpublic special education program to a candidate enrolled in an alternative preparation program
​Three-year non-renewable license
Adjunct License (AL)
Issued by a Maryland local school district, State-operated school, or nonpublic special education program under certain circumstances to a part-time employed teacher who has extensive experience in the field being taught
​One-year renewable license
​Montessori Professional Licence (MPL)
​Issued to an individual who meets the following criteria: ​


Historic Certificates

On April 1, 2024, Maryland introduced new licenses and new licensing requirements for educators. The following credentials are considered historic and may be transferred to a comparable license at the time of renewal.

Professional Eligibility Certificate (PEC)

Standard Professional Certificate I (SPC I)

Standard Professional Certificate II (SPC II)

Advanced Professional Certificate (APC)

Montessori Professional Certificate (MPC)


Certificate to License Conversion

​Historic Certificate ​Comparable License
​Professional Eligibility Certificate​Initial Professional License
​Standard Professional Certificate I​Initial Professional License
​Standard Professional Certificate II​Professional License
​Advanced Professional Certificate​Advanced Professional License