In order to become an educator in Massachusetts, you will need to earn a bachelor's degree and complete a teacher preparation program. Massachusetts also has two routes for new educators who have not yet completed a teacher preparation program.
The Office of Educator Licensure handles all license applications.
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Massachusetts has over 70 approved educator preparation programs for you to choose from. Many of these programs traditionally operate at the bachelor's degree level, but some institutions also offer Master's and Post-Baccalaureate programs. Below are a few institutions that offer teacher preparation programs:
If you complete a teacher preparation program at the master's degree level, you may be eligible to apply for the professional teaching license.
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Create AccountWhile Massachusetts does not list any specific requirements for educators, it is required that you complete student teaching hours for all state-approved educator preparation programs.
Mount Holyoke College offers a teacher preparation program that has been approved with distinction. This program offers courses such as "Topics in Education: 'Adult Literacy,'" "Seminar in Educational Studies: 'Educational Policy,'" and "Self-Awareness in Education."
In addition, while the state does not require educators to submit to a background check, almost all teacher preparation programs will require you to submit to a criminal history check prior to admission.
Massachusetts requires that their educators take tests designed and proctored by the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL). All educators will need to take one of five tests to complete the Communication and Literacy Skills testing requirement. The five options are as follows:
You will also need to obtain the MTEL passing score on the appropriate subject matter test.
In order to have your application processed, you must earn a passing score for the Communication and Literacy Skills Reading and Writing requirement. Your application will not be reviewed until that requirement is met.
Massachusetts does not require educators to submit to fingerprinting or a background check. On the license application, however, you must disclose any criminal history, and the state has the right to investigate your claims.
When applying for a teaching license, you will need to submit all materials through the Educator Licensure and Renewal (ELAR) portal.
You will need to complete the license application, pay a $100 fee, submit all MTEL test results, as well as requesting all official transcripts be sent to the ELAR. Once these requirements are complete, your application will be processed by the ELAR. If your license is denied, you can request a detailed evaluation letter.
You may check the status of your application in the ELAR portal at any time.
There are currently two approved alternative routes for new educators in Massachusetts. These routes are designed for individuals who completed their bachelor's degree and have professional work experience but have not completed an approved teacher preparation program.
For each pathway, you will need to possess a bachelor's degree. You will also need to pass any appropriate MTEL exam prior to licensure.
Preliminary License: This license is for educators who have received an offer of employment from a PK-12 Massachusetts school based on the fact that you hold a bachelor's degree in the endorsement area that you are teaching and that you are actively working to pass all of the appropriate MTEL exams. This license is valid for five years. Following the fifth year and completion of all requirements for state licensure, you may apply for the initial teaching license.
Massachusetts Institute for New Teachers (MINT): This route is for educators who have received an offer of employment from a PK-12 Massachusetts school but have yet to meet all requirements for full licensure. In your first year you will need to complete at least eighteen hours of seminar work and check in with your assigned mentor. At the end of the year, you will be evaluated in order to see if you qualify for full licensure.
If you are a recent college graduate applying to the MINT program, you will need to provide proof of meeting at least one of the following academic requirements:
If you are a working professional, you will not need to meet the academic requirements for MINT.
Massachusetts operates on a tiered licensing structure.
Initial Teaching License: You will need to possess a bachelor's degree and MTEL passing score on any appropriate MTEL exam. You will need to hold an SEI Endorsement (often earned during your teacher preparation program). You must also complete a state-approved teacher preparation program. This license is valid for five years and can be extended once.
Provisional Teaching License: This license is designed for employed educators who are still working toward meeting state requirements for full licensure. You will need to possess a bachelor's degree and pass all appropriate MTEL teacher test. This license is valid for five years and cannot be renewed.
Professional Teaching License: In order to apply for a professional teaching license, you must hold an initial license in the same endorsement area that you are seeking licensure in. You need to have at least three years of teaching experience. You will need to complete a one-year induction program and have at least fifty hours of mentored experienced following the closure of your induction program. You will also need to either hold a national teaching certificate or have a master's degree, or higher, in the same subject as your teaching endorsement. This license is valid for five years.
Temporary Teaching License: This license is designed for out-of-state educators who have yet to meet all of Massachusetts' exam requirements. You will need to possess a bachelor's degree and a valid teaching license for at least three years. This license is valid for one year and cannot be renewed.
Preliminary Vocational Educator License: The requirements for the preliminary vocational license will vary depending on the content area, so it is essential to check with the Massachusetts Department of Education before applying. You will need to hold a degree, provide proof of verified work experience, hold an occupational license, pass the written and vocational subject matter test with at least a score of 70, and pass either the MTEL test for Vocational Technical Literacy Skills or MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills.
Professional Vocational Educator License: In order to apply for this license, you will need to have at least three years of experience under the preliminary vocational educator license, complete a one-year induction program, hold an occupational license, complete at least 18 college credits, and hold a higher educational degree. Starting in 2021, in order to hold this license, you must also hold the SEI Endorsement.
In 2012 Massachusetts adopted the Sheltered English Immersion Endorsement to help close their English language proficiency gap. Many non-native English speakers learn in the same classroom as their native English-speaking counterparts. This endorsement was designed with their learning curve in mind.
If you are a core academic teacher, academic administrator, or vocational educator, you will need to obtain the SEI endorsement to teach in Massachusetts.
There are five ways to obtain this endorsement:
You will need to apply through the Educator Licensure and Renewal system for your SEI endorsement.
Massachusetts is a participant in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement. If you completed a teacher preparation program in a different state that is also a NASDTEC participant, you will be eligible for licensure in Massachusetts after the Department of Education has reviewed your verification form. Massachusetts has a NASDTEC agreement with every state in the US, including Washington D.C.
Out-of-state educators can apply for either temporary, provisional, or initial teaching licenses.
Out-of-state educators will still need to pass all appropriate MTEL tests and receive the SEI endorsement.
The state of Massachusetts is actively recruiting new educators. The state is facing shortages in areas such as English as a Second Language, STEM, and Special Education.
Massachusetts pays its educators more than almost every state in America. Entry-level salaries average $49,031. Experienced educators, however, earn $84,659 on average. Larger cities typically pay their educators more than smaller towns.
Bryan McMahon, M.A. is a high school biology and special education teacher in New Jersey with over 14 years of experience. He has hundreds of hours of experience tutoring aspiring teachers to take the CSET/CBEST exam suite. He has successfully passed the science and special education Praxis exams. Bryan completed a B.S. in Education from Seton Hall University and an M.A. in Teaching from Mangrove College.
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