There are many different paths to becoming a teacher in Maine. Whether a candidate has newly earned their bachelor's degree or is coming in from out of state with several years of teaching under their belt, Maine has established a route to licensure tailored to their circumstances. This article will discuss how Maine structures its teaching licenses, the basic requirements for the most common path, the application process, alternate routes to licensure, and the job outlook and salary prospects for teachers in Maine.
In order to apply for a teaching license following the traditional, most common route, prospective teachers will need to meet these basic requirements:
After each of these steps has been completed and the application has been processed, a prospective teacher will be able to apply for available jobs.
Maine has a tiered licensing structure in which new teachers who have completed state-approved teacher preparation programs are offered provisional certificates (which are valid for two years). Following two years of instruction and the completion of a new teacher orientation, educators may apply for a professional certificate (valid for five years). While there is technically no third tier, teachers are encouraged to apply for a certificate from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) and will see higher pay grades as a reflection of their credentials.
Educators who have not completed or attended a state approved teacher education program, or who are from out of state, may be eligible to apply for a Maine conditional license. This license is valid for three years as the educator completes the educational requirements for the provisional certificate.
Note that private schools in the state of Maine often require their educators to have state certification.
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Most prospective teachers in Maine enroll in their teacher certification program during their undergraduate degree. Approved programs in the state of Maine will require students to complete a student teaching internship and take seminars that focus on educational theory. In addition to these requirements, teacher preparation programs may ask that candidates pass the Praxis I pre-professional skills test (PPST) prior to enrollment. Prospective teachers should choose programs that are at least regionally accredited, though some additionally have accreditation through the more rigorous Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Below are some in-state schools with teacher certification programs approved by Maine's state Department of Education:
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Create AccountThe Maine Department of Education certification requirements change slightly depending on teacher specialization. Most of these requirements will be completed during a state approved teacher certification program. Below are some common teacher education requirements for a certificate:
Every education requirement for different specialties can be found on the Department of Education's website.
Maine requires educators seeking state certifications to pass the Praxis I exam (Praxis Core Academic Skills) and specific Praxis II (Praxis Subject Assessment) exams based on grade level and subject area. Candidates who are applying for a state license and did not attend a teacher preparation program will also need to pass the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching exam. For Praxis registration for all exams, candidates should make sure that the grade level and area of specialty match up with their intended teaching endorsements.
Exact exam requirements will be listed on each endorsement's certification requirements. Candidates who want to be sure about which exams to take should review these requirements carefully.
All prospective teachers in Maine must pass a criminal background check. Fingerprints are processed through Maine's approved fingerprinting company, IdentoGO. This must be done prior to submitting the initial application to become a Maine educator. Additionally, all prospective teachers must pay a $100 fee with their initial application, as well as $35 each for any extra endorsements.
Candidates who have the appropriate education and have completed their teacher preparation program and all required exams may submit an application for their teaching certificate. They will need to:
Candidates will be asked to select a teaching endorsement during the application process. In Maine, a teaching endorsement is the area in which the candidate intends on teaching. Theoretically, they could hold a teaching certificate and be endorsed in two separate areas. Most educators, however, have a teaching certificate and a single teaching endorsement.
There are alternative paths to certification for candidates who have a bachelor's degree but did not complete a teacher preparation program. Most of these pathways still require that prospective teachers complete requirements such as passing the specified Praxis exams. Candidates must also pass a criminal history background check and agree to be fingerprinted at IdentoGO (there is a $55 fee).
Transcript analysis: Candidates who have not attended an approved teacher preparation program but do have matching educational qualifications can submit all of their official transcripts and documented coursework. At the time of application, their bachelor's degree must have been conferred.
Master's Degree: The University of Maine offers a 12-month master's program that meets all of the requirements for the provisional teacher certification.
Troops to Teachers (TTT): Eligible military personnel with one year of college and six years of work experience can apply to TTT. In this program, candidates will be placed in a teaching position while completing the state requirements for certification.
Extended Teacher Education Program (ETEP): The University of Southern Maine offers a 12-month program that meets all of the requirements for the provisional teacher certification. There are two pathways: the nine-month pathway and the two-year pathway. The two-year pathway will lead to a Master's of Science in Education (MSEd). The nine-month pathway is the most accelerated program in the state of Maine; at the closure of the nine months, the student is eligible for teacher certification. The student is able to continue their education after securing a teaching position, and with the completion of two research courses, will be granted a MSEd.
While Maine does not offer direct reciprocity, teachers from out of state who have the appropriate amount of experience can apply for conditional or professional certifications. Candidates with five years of teaching under an endorsement (specific subject area) in Maine and who have graduated from an approved teacher preparation program may apply for the professional certification in Maine. Those without years of teaching experience, but who have graduated from an approved teacher preparation program and have an endorsement from the area of specialty they are seeking to teach, can apply for a conditional certificate. Candidates who have not attended a teacher preparation program can apply through the transcript analysis application (see alternative routes). For these certifications, candidates should make sure to include a teaching resume, any state certification they may have, transcripts, and Praxis passing scores. They will also need to clear all background checks.
As of 2021, there were around 185,000 students in Maine, at 617 schools in 174 districts. Maine currently has just over 15,000 teachers, which gives the state a teacher-student ratio of 1:12. The graduation rate is 86.4%.
Maine's Department of Education provides average salaries by education and experience. As of 2019, a brand-new teacher with a bachelor's degree could expect to start at around $35,000 per year, while a brand-new teacher with a master's degree and 30 hours of additional training could start at almost $50,000 per year. As educators gain experience and/or additional degrees, they can expect their salary to increase.
Maine, like many states, is facing teacher shortages. To address this, Maine's state budget established increases in teacher minimum salaries from $35,000 in 2019 up to $40,000 in 2023. Additionally, prospective educators may see higher job placement rates if they obtain endorsements in any of several teacher shortage areas, which include subjects ranging from early elementary education to languages to mathematics and physical science.
Nadim Tabsch is an adjunct English professor with over 15 years of experience. He has deep expertise in Literacy and Social Sciences and has been an educator at the elementary, middle school, high school, and collegiate level. Nadim graduated with a B.S. in Elementary Education from Barry University and a Master's degree in Literacy from the University of New England.
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