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Testing Information - General

Who Must Take the Tests?

In-State Candidates

Teacher candidates applying for initial certification in any content area must submit an approved basic skills assessment measure, and the appropriate subject and pedagogy assessments, where required.  The tests may be taken at any valid test site in the nation. Applicants must meet current testing requirements at the time of application.  

Teacher candidates applying for initial certification in a Professional and Technical Education (PTE) area who do not hold a bachelor's degree, are not required to submit a basic skills assessment.  Those PTE candidates who do hold a bachelor's degree, must submit an approved basic skills assessment measure. 


Out-of-State Candidates

Out-of-state teacher candidates who do not hold a professional certificate from their respective state must meet Maryland's testing requirements at the time of application. A candidate who holds a certificate from another state may be eligible for a test exemption. Please visit our Routes to Certification page for more information. 

How Do I Submit my Test Scores?

An applicant who has taken certification tests must submit their scores when applying for a Maryland certificate. Test scores must be sent to the Maryland State Department of Education, by the applicant, in one of the following ways:
  • notation on an official college transcript
  • photocopy of examinee's score report
  • verification from a state department of education

Choosing MSDE as a recipient of a test score during administration will not fulfill this requirement.  The applicant/educator must submit a copy of the score report directly to the MSDE Office of Certification as part of their application packet.