Teacher Licensure

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In order to teach in the Boston Public Schools, you must hold an active and valid Massachusetts teaching license. Choose from one of the scenarios below for further instructions:

You have a MA Teaching License

This license must:

• Be in the appropriate subject area and grade level for your teaching assignment.
• Not have expired by September of the current year

Please note:

• Any Temporary licenses are valid only for one year and are non-renewable.
• Preliminary and Initial licenses are valid for five years of employment. 
• Professional licenses are valid for five consecutive years. 
• If your license has expired, please see the section "To Apply for a MA Educator License" below.

You have a License from Another State

• You will still need to obtain an appropriate license in Massachusetts.
• If you completed a formal training program to earn your out-of-state credential, and then taught for at least three years under that credential, you may be eligible for the Mass. Temporary license, as long as you have not failed any MTELs. 
• Please see the section "To Apply for a MA Educator License" below to obtain a Temporary License

You do not have a MA Teaching License

You must obtain this license before September of the current year in order to be hired.  Please see the section "To Apply for a MA Educator License" below.

To Apply for a Massachusetts Eductator License

Please apply for a license before asking the DESE for requirements.

1. Use the ELAR User Guide for step-by-step instructions
2. Log in to ELAR to apply for the appropriate license
3. Find out about the specific requirements for particular licenses.  Candidates who have questions about licensure should contact the MDOE directly at 781-338-6600, Mondays-Fridays, 9AM to 4:45PM.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need to hold a Massachusetts teacher license in order to be hired as a teacher? 
   Yes, principals and headmasters must give first priority to teachers who hold a Massachusetts license in the appropriate subject area, and grade level, for the position. They may, however, recommend for hire a recent college graduate or a strong candidate who will be completing Massachusetts licensure requirements by the following September.

   If your lack of a license is a matter of paperwork backed up at the Massachusetts Department of Education (MADOE), the hiring principal/headmaster will alert Sarah Daniels, BPS Director of Licensure, who can submit a request for MADOE to expedite your licensure evaluation. Sarah or MADOE will contact you if any additional information is needed.

   Unlicensed individuals who are interested in working as educators in Boston should consider applying for positions as substitute teachers or paraprofessionals. BPS offers a number of licensure supports to help promising subs and paras earn teacher licensure, and advance into teaching positions. You may also be an ideal candidate for the Boston Teacher Residency Program.*

2. What do I need to do to earn a new teacher license in Massachusetts?
   The requirements that you are expected to comply with are based upon the DATE you submit your application to the MADOE. That means if you are starting to complete requirements for a license you hope to earn in the future, APPLY NOW at www.doe.mass.edu/licensure. Your application will then be evaluated by MADOE, and they will send you a letter giving you specific instructions on what your options are, and what you need to submit when you are finished meeting the requirements. MADOE will leave that application open until you qualify for the license; you will not need to reapply and you will not need to pay another application fee. This ensures that your current efforts will be recognized, so that if the licensure requirements change, you are more protected from the change.
3. If I took Praxis, or another licensure exam in another state, will that count or do I still need to take the MTEL?
   MTEL is the only licensing exam accepted by the Mass. DOE for educator licensure. Therefore, Praxis and other state exams are not counted towards meeting Massachusetts licensure requirements.
4. How do I know which MTEL exams I need to take?
   The best way is by applying for the license you intend to pursue, and the DOE will send you a letter identifying which tests you need.  If you do not want to wait for the letter, general information on requirements is found at www.doe.mass.edu/licensurehelp.

* Boston Public Schools offers the Boston Teacher Residency (BTR) program as an alternative certification route to Initial licensure.  BTR is a one-year urban teacher preparation and certification program, during which Teacher Residents co-teach with a Mentor Teacher in one of Boston's most effective public schools, take coursework facilitated by exceptional teachers and university faculty, and receive $10,000 during their year of service to a school. Teacher Residents earn a Massachusetts Initial Teacher License and a master's degree in education and work toward dual licensure in Special Education.