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The Massachusetts Department of Education (DOE) [www.doe.mass.edu] is responsible for licensing educational personnel for employment. Please note that licensing regulations change frequently. For the most up-to-date info, please go to either of these pages on the DOE website:
Applications can be obtained from the DOE by calling 781-338-6600. Individuals can submit their applications directly to the DOE in Malden. The DOE will review your credentials and issue the appropriate license. Here are the current levels of DOE licensure:
Provisional License: A teacher license issued to a person who holds a bachelor's degree and has passed the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) and met other eligibility requirements established by the Board. The Provisional license is valid for five years of employment.
Initial License: An educator license issued to a person who has met the requirements for a Provisional license, completed a professional educator preparation program approved by the Commissioner, and met other eligibility requirements established by the Board. The Initial license is valid for five years of employment and may be renewed at the discretion of the Commissioner for an additional five years.
Professional License: An educator license issued to a person who has met the requirements for an Initial license, completed a Performance Assessment Program or an appropriate master's degree program, and met other requirements established by the Board. The Professional license is valid for five years and renewable for additional five-year terms.
Temporary License: An educator license issued to a person who holds a valid license or certificate of a type comparable to at least an Initial license in Massachusetts from another state or jurisdiction, and who has been employed under such license for a minimum of three years but has not satisfied Massachusetts' testing requirements. It is valid for one year and is nonrenewable. Service under a Temporary license shall be counted as service in acquiring professional teacher status, contingent upon the educator passing the applicable licensure tests.
Non-Licensure: The non-licensure degree in Teaching ESL is appropriate for those who do not want K-12 licensure in Massachusetts. ESL teachers are in demand in community and adult programs, literacy and job training programs, private language schools, community college and vocational schools, and at English Language Institutes in colleges and universities. There are also numerous opportunities to teach overseas.
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