Maine Emergency Teacher Certification Requirements

Maine’s teacher shortage has reached a level that is both well-documented and deeply consequential. As of March 2025, the Maine Education Association (MEA) reported that the state had 4,165 valid conditional certificates, 294 emergency certificates, and 87 certification waivers in active use. 

Taken together, approximately 10% of Maine’s teacher workforce is working under some form of non-standard certification — nearly 1.5 times the national average of 6.9% (National Center for Education Statistics, October 2024).

Emergency teacher certification in Maine is a narrow, time-limited credential that allows individuals who do not yet hold a standard Maine teaching certificate to serve as teachers in designated shortage areas. It is governed by Maine Revised Statutes Title 20-A, Section 13012-B — a statute created in 2021 and amended in 2023 — and implemented through Maine DOE Chapter 115 regulations. 

The emergency certificate is notably different from the conditional certificate (which is the primary alternative certification tool in Maine): the emergency certificate is shorter, has a statutory cap on total uses, and carries specific restrictions not applied to conditional certificates.

This Prepsaret guide provides the complete, authoritative picture of Maine emergency teacher certification requirements — covering every eligibility pathway, the critical IDEA prohibition for special education positions, the shortage area framework, the mentoring requirement, the application process, and the full spectrum of non-standard certification options available in Maine. All data is drawn from Title 20-A §13012-B, Chapter 115 Part I, the MDOE, Maine DOE Newsroom, and MEA legislative testimony.

Emergency Teacher Certificate at a Glance — Title 20-A §13012-B

WHO ISSUES IT: The Maine Commissioner of Education (not the district, not the school).

WHEN: Only upon identification of an educator staffing shortage. The Commissioner annually designates shortage areas.

WHO QUALIFIES: Applicants who have (A) a 4-year postsecondary degree OR equivalent in work/academic experience, OR (B) enrollment in an approved educator preparation program, OR (C) an Ed Tech III certification.

BACKGROUND CHECK: Submission to a criminal history background check is required for all applicants.

DURATION: 1 year per certificate. Maximum of 3 emergency teacher certificates per applicant (one per year).

MENTORING: All emergency certificate holders must participate in a mentoring program.

SUPPLANTING PROHIBITION: Cannot be used to displace an otherwise qualified and available teacher.

SPECIAL EDUCATION: PROHIBITED. No emergency certificates for SpEd positions under any circumstances.

Sources: Title 20-A §13012-B (mainelegislature.org, extracted Oct 20, 2025); Maine DOE Newsroom (April 2, 2024) — IDEA prohibition.

Maine Emergency Teacher Certification: Key Numbers

294 Emergency Certs Active (2025) MEA Legislative Testimony, Mar 2025

3 Max Emergency Certs Per Person Title 20-A §13012-B (one per year)

1 yr Each Emergency Cert Duration Title 20-A §13012-B subsec. 1

10% ME Teachers Conditionally Cert. vs. 6.9% national avg — NCES 2024

 

0 Emergency Certs for SpEd IDEA prohibition — OSEP 2022 memo

4,165 Valid Conditional Certs (2025) MEA Legislative Testimony, Mar 2025

87 Certification Waivers (2025) MEA Legislative Testimony, Mar 2025

Annual Shortage Area Designation Commissioner designates; §13012-B

Sources: MEA Legislative Testimony (legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getTestimonyDoc.asp?id=185405, March 11, 2025) — 294 emergency certs; 4,165 conditional certs; 87 waivers; 10% conditional/emergency (vs. 6.9% national NCES Oct 2024); Title 20-A §13012-B (mainelegislature.org, extracted Oct 20, 2025) — 3 maximum certs; 1-year duration; Maine DOE Newsroom (April 2, 2024) — IDEA SpEd prohibition; OSEP October 4, 2022 memorandum.

The Legal Foundation: Title 20-A §13012-B

Maine’s emergency teacher certification system is grounded in a single statutory provision: Maine Revised Statutes Title 20-A, Chapter 502 (Credentialing of Educational Personnel), Section 13012-B — titled ‘Emergency teacher certificate and reciprocal professional certificate.’

This statute was created as new law by Public Law 2021, Chapter 228, Section 2, and amended by Public Law 2023, Chapter 200, Section 1. As of October 2025, it is current through the First Special Session of the 132nd Maine Legislature.

The Statute’s Opening Authority

The statute’s opening provision establishes the Commissioner’s authority and the core limitation on its use: ‘Upon the identification of an educator staffing shortage in the State, the commissioner may issue emergency certificates to teachers, specialists and administrators in accordance with this section… 

The commissioner may issue an emergency teacher certificate or reciprocal professional certificate under this section only to address the identified staffing shortage and only in a manner that ensures that the person issued an emergency teacher certificate or reciprocal professional certificate does not supplant an otherwise qualified and available teacher, specialist or administrator.’

These two sentences establish three defining features of Maine emergency certification: (1) it is shortage-driven — only available where a shortage exists; (2) it is Commissioner-issued — not a district-initiated process; and (3) it is explicitly non-supplanting — it cannot be used to displace a qualified teacher who is available.

Source: Title 20-A §13012-B (mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/20-a/title20-Asec13012-B.html, extracted October 20, 2025); PL 2021, c. 228, §2 (original enactment); PL 2023, c. 200, §1 (amendment). 

The Two Types of Certificate Under §13012-B

• Subsection 1 — Emergency Teacher Certificate: For applicants who do not yet hold full teaching certification. Three qualifying criteria. Issued for 1 year. Maximum 3 per applicant. Requires mentoring.
• Subsection 2 — Reciprocal Professional Certificate: For teachers, specialists, or administrators who hold a comparable certificate in another state, DC, U.S. territory, or another country. Issued for 5 years. Used to address identified staffing shortages in Maine.

This guide focuses primarily on Subsection 1 (the Emergency Teacher Certificate), as the Reciprocal Professional Certificate is a pathway primarily for out-of-state educators rather than a true emergency credential.

Chapter 115 Implementation

Title 20-A §13012-B is implemented through Maine DOE Chapter 115: The Credentialing of Education Personnel. Chapter 115 Part I, Section 7, establishes the emergency teacher certificate provisions within the regulatory framework. Per Chapter 115 Part I (current February 10, 2025): ‘The Commissioner shall annually designate shortage areas for the State. An applicant seeking to serve as a teacher or educational specialist with an endorsement to work in a designated shortage area is eligible, subject to [the criteria in §13012-B].’

Sources: Chapter 115 Part I (maine.gov/doe/sites/maine.gov.doe/files/inline-files/State Board – CHE Chapter 115 Part 1 Amended – 2.10.2025.pdf) — Section 7; Title 20-A §13012-B (mainelegislature.org).

Maine’s Certification Spectrum: Emergency vs. Conditional vs. Waiver

Maine uses three distinct non-standard certification mechanisms to address teacher shortages. Understanding the differences between them — and when each applies — is essential for both candidates and employing school districts. 

Feature	Emergency Certificate	Conditional Certificate	Certification Waiver
Statutory basis	Title 20-A §13012-B	Title 20-A Chapter 115; Ch. 115 Part I §6.6	Title 20-A Chapter 502 (waiver authority)
Active count (Mar 2025)	294	4,165	87
Duration	1 year; max 3 total	Initially up to 2 years (renewable; proposed cap: 3 renewals)	Varies; Commissioner discretion
Shortage area required?	YES — only for designated shortage areas	YES — only to fill a documented staffing shortage	YES — for areas without appropriate certification
SpEd positions allowed?	NO — IDEA prohibition	Yes (with IDEA limitations — 3-year max)	NO per Ch. 115; IDEA prohibition
Mentoring required?	YES — statutory requirement	YES — SAU must provide mentoring	YES per Ch. 115
Who qualifies?	4-yr degree OR equivalent exp. OR EPP enrollment OR Ed Tech III certification	Bachelor’s degree + content coursework; hired to fill shortage	Commissioner discretion; must be pursuing certification
Leads to full cert?	No — must separately pursue formal certification	Yes — completes requirements during conditional period	Allows time to complete coursework

Sources: MEA Legislative Testimony (March 11, 2025) — active counts (294 emergency / 4,165 conditional / 87 waivers); Title 20-A §13012-B; Chapter 115 Part I (Feb 10, 2025) Section 6.6 (conditional cert) and Section 11 (waiver); Maine DOE Newsroom (Oct 7, 2025) — proposed conditional cert changes. 

What Is an Emergency Teacher Certificate?

An emergency teacher certificate in Maine is a short-term authorization to teach that the Commissioner of Education may issue when: (a) an educator staffing shortage has been identified in the state; (b) the applicant meets one of the three qualifying criteria; and (c) the use will not supplant a qualified available teacher. 

It is explicitly not a pathway to a permanent certificate — it is a time-limited tool to address genuine workforce gaps while the holder works toward proper certification through other means.

What an Emergency Certificate Allows

• Teaching authority: The holder of an emergency teacher certificate may serve as the teacher of record in a designated shortage area, for one school year.
• Any grade level/content area (within shortage designation): As long as the position falls within a designated shortage area and the applicant meets the qualifying criteria.
• Schools: Maine public school districts (school administrative units / SAUs) employing teachers under emergency certificates.

What an Emergency Certificate Does NOT Do

• Does NOT lead to permanent certification: Completing one, two, or three emergency certificate years does not result in the issuance of a Provisional or Professional Certificate. The holder must separately pursue a qualifying pathway (conditional certification, EPP enrollment, or other).
• Does NOT apply to Special Education: Emergency certificates are categorically prohibited for special education and early childhood special education positions under federal IDEA law.
• Does NOT supplant a qualified teacher: The statute explicitly prohibits use that displaces an otherwise qualified and available teacher.
• Does NOT automatically renew: Each year requires a new application. Three total certificates are the statutory maximum.

Source: Title 20-A §13012-B, Subsection 1 (mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/20-a/title20-Asec13012-B.html); Chapter 115 Part I Section 7 (maine.gov).

Three Qualifying Pathways for the Emergency Teacher Certificate

Per Title 20-A §13012-B, Subsection 1, the Commissioner may issue an emergency teacher certificate to an applicant who has submitted to a criminal history background check and who meets ONE of the following three criteria:

Emergency Teacher Certificate — Three Qualifying Criteria (Title 20-A §13012-B(1)(A)-(C))

CRITERION A: Holds a 4-year postsecondary degree OR the equivalent in work or academic experience.

— A 4-year (bachelor’s) degree from an accredited institution is the clearest qualification.

— The ‘equivalent in work or academic experience’ language provides flexibility for those who may not hold a traditional 4-year degree but have demonstrated equivalent competency.

— What constitutes ‘equivalent’ is determined by the Commissioner; contact the MDOE Certification Office for specific guidance.

CRITERION B: Is enrolled in an approved educator preparation program.

— Must be currently enrolled (not just admitted or planning to enroll) in an MDOE-approved EPP.

— EPP enrollment while holding the emergency certificate allows concurrent preparation and emergency teaching.

CRITERION C: Holds a certification as an Educational Technician III.

— Ed Tech III certification is issued under Title 20-A §13019-H.

— IMPORTANT EXCEPTION: An emergency Ed Tech III is NOT eligible for an emergency teacher certificate under Criterion C (PL 2023, c. 200, §1 amendment).

— Only a regularly-issued (non-emergency) Ed Tech III certification qualifies.

ALL CRITERIA ALSO REQUIRE: Submission to a criminal history background check.

Source: Title 20-A §13012-B, Subsection 1(A)-(C), as amended by PL 2023, c. 200, §1.

Pathway A: The 4-Year Degree (or Equivalent Work/Academic Experience)

Pathway A is the broadest of the three qualifying criteria. It provides the widest access to emergency certification while maintaining a meaningful threshold of educational attainment.

The 4-Year Postsecondary Degree

A standard bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university satisfies this criterion. The degree does not need to be in education or in any particular subject — any 4-year degree qualifies. This is a significant distinction from conditional certification (which often requires content-area coursework alignment) and from standard certification (which requires program completion in an approved EPP).

The degree does not need to be from a Maine institution. Degrees from any accredited college or university — including international institutions, subject to credential evaluation — qualify.

Equivalent Work or Academic Experience

This provision is one of the most distinctive features of Maine’s emergency certificate framework. The statute explicitly permits the Commissioner to issue an emergency certificate to someone who does not hold a 4-year degree but who has ‘the equivalent in work or academic experience.’ This opens emergency certification to:

• Highly experienced industry professionals who did not attend college but have deep subject matter expertise
• Individuals who completed substantial academic coursework without earning a degree
• Career professionals whose accumulated work experience demonstrates knowledge and competency equivalent to a college education

What constitutes ‘equivalent’ is a determination made by the Maine Commissioner of Education on a case-by-case basis. There is no published bright-line standard for what specific work experience or academic credentials constitute equivalency. Candidates who believe they qualify under this provision should contact the MDOE Certification Office at [email protected] to discuss their specific background before applying.

✔ Practical Guidance for Equivalent Experience Candidates: Document your work history thoroughly — years of employment, specific duties, supervisory responsibilities, technical certifications, professional licenses, and any relevant academic coursework. The Commissioner will evaluate whether the totality of your experience represents the equivalent of a 4-year degree. More documentation is always better.

Source: Title 20-A §13012-B(1)(A) (mainelegislature.org); maine.gov/doe/cert (for contact with Certification Office).

Pathway B: Enrollment in an Approved Educator Preparation Program

Pathway B provides a concurrent route — the applicant holds an emergency certificate WHILE being enrolled in a formal preparation program. This is designed for individuals who have begun their path to formal certification but need to start teaching immediately due to a shortage vacancy.

What ‘Enrolled’ Means

• Must be currently enrolled: Admission to a program, or intent to enroll, does not satisfy Criterion B. The applicant must be actively enrolled at the time of the emergency certificate application.
• Approved program: The program must be an MDOE-approved educator preparation program. Programs approved by the MDOE include those offered by Maine universities (USM ETEP, UMaine Orono, UMaine Machias, UMF, etc.) and other approved institutions. The full list is available at maine.gov/doe/cert.
• Degree level not specified: The statute does not specify whether the EPP must be a degree-granting or non-degree-granting program — undergraduate or graduate preparation programs both qualify.

Why This Pathway Is Valuable

Pathway B allows a candidate who has been admitted to an EPP but has not yet completed it to begin addressing a teaching shortage immediately. Rather than waiting until program completion to enter the classroom, the candidate can teach in a shortage position while simultaneously completing their formal preparation. 

This alignment serves multiple goals: the shortage vacancy is filled; the candidate gains real classroom experience concurrent with their coursework; and the community benefits from having a teacher in place.

✔ Strategic Note: If you are currently enrolled in (or about to enroll in) an approved EPP AND there is a shortage area position available in your district, discuss the emergency certificate option with the MDOE Certification Office. The emergency certificate may allow you to begin teaching while your formal certification process continues. 

Pathway C: Holding an Ed Tech III Certification

Pathway C recognizes the classroom expertise that Ed Tech IIIs — Educational Technicians with the highest level of Ed Tech certification — have developed through years of work alongside certified teachers in Maine schools. 

An Ed Tech III who holds a valid, regularly issued Ed Tech III certification may qualify for an emergency teacher certificate in a designated shortage area.

Ed Tech III Certification Requirements

An Educational Technician III (Ed Tech III) certification is issued under Title 20-A §13019-H. Ed Tech III is the highest of Maine’s three Ed Tech levels and requires more training and education than Ed Tech I or II. Ed Tech IIIs work directly with students in instructional capacities under the direction of certified teachers.

The Critical Exception: Emergency Ed Tech III Not Eligible

Title 20-A §13012-B was amended by PL 2023, Chapter 200 to add an explicit exclusion: ‘except that an emergency education technician III is not eligible for an emergency teacher certificate under this paragraph.’

⚠ Important Exclusion: If you hold an EMERGENCY Ed Tech III certificate (not a regular Ed Tech III), you do NOT qualify for an emergency teacher certificate under Pathway C. Only a regularly-issued (non-emergency) Ed Tech III certification satisfies Criterion C. Emergency Ed Tech certificates are a separate credential under Maine law and do not create a stacking pathway for emergency teacher certificates.

Sources: Title 20-A §13012-B(1)(C) (mainelegislature.org — as amended by PL 2023, c. 200, §1); Title 20-A §13019-H (Ed Tech III certification authority); Maine Legislature Chapter 115 Work Session PDF (legislature.maine.gov, Feb 16, 2022) — legislative questions re: Ed Tech emergency cert eligibility. 

The ‘Does Not Supplant’ Rule: Critical Employment Restriction

One of the most important and sometimes misunderstood provisions of Title 20-A §13012-B is the non-supplanting requirement. The statute states that emergency certificates may be issued ‘only in a manner that ensures that the person issued an emergency teacher certificate… does not supplant an otherwise qualified and available teacher, specialist or administrator.’

What ‘Supplanting’ Means

Supplanting occurs when an emergency certificate holder is placed in a position that could be filled by a qualified, fully certified teacher who is actually available for the position. Emergency certification is a gap-filler for genuine vacancies — not a mechanism for replacing certified teachers with less-qualified alternatives.

Practical Implications

• Districts cannot use emergency certs as a cost-saving measure: Hiring a non-certified emergency certificate holder at a lower salary to replace a certified teacher who resigned would be supplanting.
• The shortage must be genuine: The position must truly be unfillable through normal certified hiring channels before an emergency certificate can be issued.
• Commissioner verification: The Commissioner evaluates whether the emergency certificate use is consistent with the non-supplanting requirement as part of the issuance decision.
• Chapter 115 reinforces this: Chapter 115 Part I states that the emergency-certified teacher ‘may be authorized to act as an adjunct to existing staff and may not be used to avoid the hiring of professional, certified…’ educators.

Sources: Title 20-A §13012-B opening provision (mainelegislature.org); Chapter 115 Part I Section 7 (maine.gov) — adjunct and anti-avoidance language. 

Shortage Area Requirement: How It Works

An emergency teacher certificate may only be issued to address a designated teacher shortage area. This is not optional or discretionary — shortage designation is a prerequisite for emergency certificate eligibility.

How Shortage Areas Are Designated

• Annual designation: The Commissioner of Education annually designates teacher shortage areas for the State of Maine, as established in Title 20-A §13012-B and Chapter 115 Part I.
• Federal alignment: Maine’s shortage area process is closely aligned with federal reporting. The U.S. Department of Education annually designates teacher shortage areas for the purposes of student loan deferment and teaching obligation reduction (for programs like Teacher Loan Forgiveness). Maine submits its shortage areas to the federal DOE as part of this process.
• Input from districts: The MDOE solicits input from districts and stakeholders before finalizing the shortage list. The Maine DOE Newsroom (April 2, 2024) noted: ‘The Maine Department of Education recently requested input regarding designated teacher shortage areas for federal reporting and would like to thank all those who submitted information during the comment period.’
• Dual use: Per Maine DOE Newsroom (April 2, 2024): ‘In Maine, the annual teacher shortage list is utilized by the Maine DOE to determine which endorsements are eligible for emergency certification and for reciprocity from other states, per 20-A MRS §13012-B.’

Source: Maine DOE Newsroom — ‘Teacher Shortage Areas for the 2024-2025 School Year’ (mainedoenews.net, April 2, 2024).

Maine’s Teacher Shortage Areas: Official MDOE List

The Maine DOE Newsroom (April 2, 2024) published the official PreK-12 teacher shortage areas for the 2024-2025 school year. These designations were determined through the MDOE’s annual shortage identification process and submitted to the U.S. Department of Education for federal reporting purposes. Emergency certificates may only be issued in positions within these designated areas.

Maine Teacher Shortage Areas — 2024-2025 School Year (Official MDOE List)

Biology (Secondary)

Chemistry (Secondary)

Computer Technology

Earth Science (Secondary)

Elementary

English (Secondary)

English Language Learners / ESOL

General Science (Secondary)

Language Arts / Reading (Secondary)

Library / Media

Mathematics (Secondary)

Music (K-12)

Physical Education (K-12)

Physics (Secondary)

Psychology / Sociology (Secondary)

Social Studies / History (Secondary)

Special Education — ALL LEVELS

*IMPORTANT: Despite Special Education appearing on the shortage list, emergency certificates for SpEd positions are PROHIBITED under federal IDEA law (see Section 12).

Shortage areas may change annually — always verify the current list at mainedoenews.net or maine.gov/doe/cert.

Source: Maine DOE Newsroom (mainedoenews.net, April 2, 2024) — Official 2024-25 shortage area list.

Source: Maine DOE Newsroom — ‘Teacher Shortage Areas for the 2024-2025 School Year’ (mainedoenews.net/2024/04/02/teacher-shortage-areas-for-the-2024-2025-school-year/). 

The CRITICAL IDEA: Prohibition: No Emergency Certs for Special Education

Special Education appears on Maine’s teacher shortage area list — but this does NOT mean emergency certificates can be issued for special education teaching positions. This is the single most important restriction in Maine’s emergency certification system, and it is absolute.

ABSOLUTE PROHIBITION: No Emergency Certificates for Special Education

On October 4, 2022, the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) released a memorandum clarifying the requirements of IDEA Part B.

The OSEP memorandum states that special education certification or licensure requirements may NOT be waived — including the prohibition on issuance of emergency certificates for special education teachers.

Maine DOE Newsroom (April 2, 2024) explicitly notes this: ‘*On October 4, 2022, the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) released a memorandum to clarify the requirements of IDEA Part B, which outlines the expectations for the preparation and training of all special education teachers nationwide and that special education certification or licensure requirements may not be waived. This includes the prohibition on issuance of emergency certificates.’

MEA Legislative Testimony (March 11, 2025) also confirms: ‘Rule Chapter 115 includes a certification waiver, allowing the Commissioner to grant employment waivers for individuals without appropriate certification, except for those endorsed in Special Education.’

CONSEQUENCE: Schools with SpEd vacancies CANNOT use emergency certificates to fill them. Alternative approaches are required.

FEDERAL BASIS: IDEA Section 612(a)(14); 34 C.F.R. § 300.156; OSEP Memorandum October 4, 2022.

What Districts Should Do Instead for SpEd Vacancies

Districts facing SpEd vacancies cannot use emergency certification. Their options under Maine law include:

• Conditional Certification: Hire a bachelor’s degree holder with relevant background on a conditional certificate while they complete SpEd coursework (e.g., UMM’s fully online 42-credit SpEd alternative certificate program). SpEd conditional certificates are subject to a maximum of 2 renewals (3 years total) under IDEA.
• Ed Tech III to Teacher Pathway: Hire an experienced Ed Tech III who is enrolled in a graduate SpEd program under a conditional certificate (Chapter 115 Part II §2.1.B.4). This pathway explicitly addresses the SpEd shortage.
• Interstate reciprocity: Out-of-state SpEd teachers with valid licensure from another state may receive a reciprocal professional certificate under Title 20-A §13012-B(2) — since that provision covers out-of-state licensed teachers, including SpEd, for shortage areas.
• Long-term substitute (not teacher of record): Deploying non-certified staff as substitutes rather than as the teacher of record may be feasible for short-term gaps, though IDEA compliance must be carefully considered.

Sources: Maine DOE Newsroom (April 2, 2024) — OSEP prohibition quote; MEA Legislative Testimony (March 11, 2025) — waiver SpEd exclusion; IDEA Section 612(a)(14); 34 C.F.R. § 300.156; OSEP Memorandum October 4, 2022.

The Mentoring Program Requirement

All emergency teacher certificate holders in Maine must participate in a mentoring program. This requirement is established by statute in Title 20-A §13012-B(1): ‘A teacher holding an emergency teacher certificate shall participate in a mentoring program provided by the department or a school administrative unit.’

Who Provides the Mentoring

The statute specifies that the mentoring program may be ‘provided by the department [MDOE] or a school administrative unit [SAU].’ This gives flexibility for the mentoring to come from either a state-level program or a district-level program.

• MDOE-provided mentoring: The MDOE may provide or approve mentoring programs accessible to emergency certificate holders statewide
• SAU-provided mentoring: The employing school district may run its own mentoring program for the emergency certificate holder, using experienced certified teachers within the district as mentors

Why Mentoring Is Required

The mentoring requirement exists because emergency certificate holders, by definition, have not completed full teacher preparation. They are entering classrooms with educational qualifications (degree, EPP enrollment, or Ed Tech III certification) but without the pedagogical preparation that a standard teaching certificate requires. 

Mentoring provides a structured support system that connects the emergency certificate holder with experienced educators who can guide their classroom practice, help them navigate school culture, and support their professional development throughout the year.

• Best practice: Even if your district does not have a formally structured mentoring program, proactively identify an experienced teacher in your building who can serve as an informal mentor and advocate with administration. Emergency-certified teachers who actively engage with mentors consistently report better outcomes in their teaching year. 

Source: Title 20-A §13012-B(1), paragraph 2 — ‘A teacher holding an emergency teacher certificate shall participate in a mentoring program provided by the department or a school administrative unit.’

Duration and Maximum Certificates: 1 Year, 3 Times Total

The duration and usage limits of the emergency teacher certificate are explicit in the statute and constitute one of the most important practical parameters for both candidates and employing districts.

One-Year Duration

Per Title 20-A §13012-B(1): ‘A certificate issued pursuant to this subsection is issued for one year.’ This means each emergency teacher certificate is valid for exactly one school year. Unlike the conditional certificate (which can be issued for 2 years initially), each emergency certificate must be separately applied for and approved on an annual basis.

Maximum of Three Certificates

The statute explicitly caps the total number of emergency teacher certificates per applicant: ‘no more than 3 emergency teacher certificates may be issued per applicant.’ This means an individual can hold up to three emergency teacher certificates over the course of their career — one per year, for a maximum of three years total.

Certificate Number	School Year	Status	Notes
First emergency cert.	Year 1	Valid for 1 year	Must meet initial eligibility criteria; background check required
Second emergency cert.	Year 2 (if needed)	Valid for 1 year	Reapplication required; must still be in shortage area
Third emergency cert.	Year 3 (maximum)	Valid for 1 year	Final certificate permitted; after this, must have alternative certification to continue teaching
Fourth or beyond	NOT AVAILABLE	Prohibited by statute	No further emergency certificates available after three total

Source: Title 20-A §13012-B(1) — ‘A certificate issued pursuant to this subsection is issued for one year, and no more than 3 emergency teacher certificates may be issued per applicant’ (PL 2023, c. 200, §1 amendment).

⚠ Three-Year Maximum Is Absolute: After exhausting three emergency teacher certificates, an individual cannot continue as the teacher of record in a Maine public school without obtaining proper certification through another pathway (conditional certification, EPP completion, or other recognized route). Districts should ensure that emergency certificate holders are actively pursuing formal certification pathways from the very first year.

The Certification Waiver: Chapter 115 Part I Section 11

Separate from the emergency teacher certificate under §13012-B, Maine also has a Certification Waiver mechanism under Chapter 115 Part I, Section 11, which is briefly referenced in the MEA legislative testimony. This waiver is a distinct tool that operates differently from the emergency certificate.

What the Certification Waiver Provides

Per Chapter 115 Part I and the Maine Legislature Chapter 502 waiver provisions, the Commissioner may grant a waiver for an appropriate period of time to an individual seeking the issuance or renewal of a certificate. 

As the MEA’s March 2025 testimony notes: ‘Rule Chapter 115 includes a certification waiver, allowing the Commissioner to grant employment waivers for individuals without appropriate certification, except for those endorsed in Special Education. This waiver provides time for individuals to complete their coursework while maintaining employment.’

Waiver vs. Emergency Certificate

Feature	Emergency Certificate	Certification Waiver
Legal basis	Title 20-A §13012-B	Title 20-A Chapter 502 waiver authority; Ch. 115 Part I Section 11
Active count (Mar 2025)	294	87
Duration	1 year; max 3 total	Commissioner discretion; ‘appropriate period’
SpEd allowed?	NO	NO — same prohibition
Primary purpose	Address shortage with unqualified teacher	Allow coursework completion while maintaining employment

Sources: MEA Legislative Testimony (legislature.maine.gov, March 11, 2025); Chapter 115 Part I Section 11 (maine.gov). 

Emergency Ed Tech Certificates: Separate from Emergency Teacher Certs

Maine’s credentialing system includes emergency credentials at the Educational Technician (Ed Tech) level as well, which are distinct from emergency teacher certificates and operate under separate provisions.

• Emergency Ed Tech III: An emergency certification specifically for the Educational Technician III level, issued under Title 20-A §13019-H and related provisions. This is NOT the same as an emergency teacher certificate.
• Eligibility distinction: As established by the 2023 amendment to §13012-B: holders of an emergency Ed Tech III certificate are explicitly NOT eligible for an emergency teacher certificate under Pathway C.
• Administrative note: The Maine Legislature Chapter 115 Work Session (February 16, 2022) addressed questions about emergency Ed Tech I and II certificates, noting that ‘the eligibility for each is defined separately in section 5 B’ of Chapter 115.
• Practical implication: If you currently hold an Emergency Ed Tech III and want to apply for an emergency teacher certificate, you must qualify through Pathway A (4-year degree or equivalent experience) or Pathway B (EPP enrollment), not Pathway C.

Sources: Title 20-A §13012-B(1)(C) (as amended by PL 2023, c. 200, §1); Title 20-A §13019-H; Maine Legislature Chapter 115 Work Session (legislature.maine.gov, February 16, 2022).

The CHRC Requirement for Emergency Certification

All emergency teacher certificate applicants must submit to a Criminal History Records Check (CHRC). This is a statutory requirement in Title 20-A §13012-B, which states the Commissioner may issue an emergency teacher certificate to an applicant ‘who has submitted to a criminal history background check.’

CHRC Process for Emergency Certificate Applicants

• Step 1 — MEIS CHRC application: Create a MEIS account at maine.gov/doe/educators/licensing/meis. Apply for a CHRC through MEIS ($15 fee). Do not complete IdentoGO fingerprinting until the MEIS CHRC application is submitted — MDOE will not process fingerprints without the MEIS application.
• Step 2 — IdentoGO fingerprinting: Schedule and complete fingerprinting through IdentoGO ($55 fee). In-person fingerprinting at a Maine IdentoGO location or mail-in for out-of-state applicants.
• Timing: CHRC clearance must be received before the emergency certificate is issued. Begin the CHRC process as early as possible to avoid delays.
• Total CHRC cost: $15 (MEIS application) + $55 (IdentoGO fingerprinting) = $70
• Maine-specific requirement: Maine does not accept fingerprint results from another state or department. Even if you have been fingerprinted for another purpose, you must complete Maine DOE-specific fingerprinting.

Sources: Title 20-A §13012-B(1) — ‘submitted to a criminal history background check’; MDOE Certification FAQ (maine.gov/doe/cert/faq) — $55 IdentoGO; $15 MEIS CHRC application; Maine-specific fingerprinting required.

How Emergency Certification Compares to Conditional Certification

The most common source of confusion about Maine’s non-standard certification landscape is the distinction between emergency certification and conditional certification. They address the same fundamental problem — filling vacancies with non-fully-certified teachers — but through different legal mechanisms with different requirements and outcomes. 

Comparison Point	Emergency Teacher Certificate	Conditional Certificate
Legal basis	Title 20-A §13012-B (2021, amended 2023)	Chapter 115 Part I Section 6.6
Initiated by	MDOE Commissioner (upon application)	District SAU recommendation through MEIS
Active count (Mar 2025)	294	4,165
Degree requirement	4-yr degree OR equivalent experience OR EPP enrollment OR Ed Tech III	Bachelor’s degree required
Content area coursework	No content area coursework specified as condition	Content area coursework required (e.g., 24 hrs for secondary, or 6 hrs per subject for elementary)
Duration	1 year per cert; max 3 total (3 years maximum)	Up to 2 years initial; renewable (proposed: 3 renewals = 4 yrs total)
Leads to formal certificate?	No — separate pathway needed	Yes — conditional period leads to Provisional → Professional certificate
SpEd allowed?	NO — IDEA prohibition	Yes (with IDEA 3-year limit)
Mentoring required?	YES — statutory	YES — SAU must provide
Shortage area required?	YES — designated shortage area only	YES — staffing shortage required
Student teaching waiver?	N/A (no formal program pathway)	Yes — 1 year conditional teaching waives the 15-week student teaching requirement
Best for?	Immediate short-term gap-filling; those with degrees or EPP enrollment but no formal cert	Career changers who are hired to teach; intended as multi-year path to full cert

Sources: Title 20-A §13012-B; Chapter 115 Part I Section 6.6 (maine.gov); MEA Legislative Testimony (March 2025) — active cert counts. 

The Application Process: MEIS and Required Documentation

Emergency teacher certificate applications are processed through the Maine Educator Information System (MEIS) at maine.gov/doe/educators/licensing/meis. Use Chrome or Safari — Firefox is not compatible with MEIS.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Verify shortage area eligibility: Confirm that the position you are seeking to fill is in a designated Maine teacher shortage area. Check the most current shortage area list at mainedoenews.net (published annually in spring). Emergency certificates can only be issued for shortage area positions.
2. Verify the ‘does not supplant’ condition: Confirm with the employing school district that the position is genuinely unfillable through standard certified teacher hiring and that filling it with an emergency certificate will not displace an available qualified teacher
3. Determine your qualifying pathway: Confirm which of the three qualifying criteria (A: 4-yr degree or equivalent, B: EPP enrollment, C: Ed Tech III certification) you meet. Gather documentation.
4. Create a MEIS account and submit a CHRC application: Access maine.gov/doe/educators/licensing/meis. Create your account. Submit a CHRC application with the $15 fee.
5. Complete IdentoGO fingerprinting: Register with IdentoGO and complete fingerprinting ($55 fee). In-person at a Maine IdentoGO location or mail-in for out-of-state applicants.
6. Submit emergency certificate application through MEIS: In MEIS, start a new application for emergency certification. Include all required documentation (see Section 19.2).
7. Contact MDOE Certification Office for specific guidance: Given the complexity and novelty of emergency certification, contact [email protected] or call (207) 624-6606 to discuss your specific situation before or during the application process.
8. Wait for Commissioner review and approval: The Commissioner makes the final decision on issuance. MDOE staff review the application, verify shortage area status, and confirm non-supplanting. If denied, the Commissioner must provide information on remaining requirements and other certification options.
9. Begin teaching and participate in mentoring: Once the emergency certificate is issued, begin your teaching assignment and participate in the required mentoring program.

Sources: maine.gov/doe/cert/initial; maine.gov/doe/cert/faq; Title 20-A §13012-B — Commissioner must provide information to unsuccessful applicants; MDOE Certification Renewals page.

Required Documentation

Document	Notes
MEIS account and application	Required for all certification actions; Chrome/Safari only
CHRC clearance ($15 MEIS + $55 IdentoGO)	Must be submitted before certificate is issued; Maine-specific; no cross-state fingerprints
Proof of qualifying criterion (one of three)	A: Official transcript with bachelor’s degree conferral; OR equivalent experience documentation; B: EPP enrollment confirmation letter; C: Current Ed Tech III certificate
Documentation of shortage area position	Confirmation from employing district that position is in designated shortage area
Non-supplanting confirmation	Employing district confirmation that no qualified certified teacher is available for the position
Application fee	Contact MDOE for current fee schedule

Proposed Chapter 115 Changes Affecting Emergency Certification 

The October 2025 proposed revision to Chapter 115 includes changes relevant to emergency and conditional certification. These are proposed, not yet adopted — but they reflect the direction of Maine’s certification policy.

• Conditional certificate changes (most relevant to emergency cert comparison): Proposed revision would ‘term limit to one year, renewable up to three times total’ per Maine DOE Newsroom (Oct 7, 2025) — NOTE: This language appears to describe the PROPOSED conditional cert changes, aligning them more closely with the emergency cert’s 1-year-annual structure. Currently, conditional certs are 2 years initial; verify current vs. proposed with MDOE.
• SAU mentoring obligations strengthened: Proposed revisions ‘reinforce oversight, renewal, and mentoring obligations for SAUs and the Maine DOE’ — strengthening the supervision requirements for all non-standard certificate holders
• Portfolio pathway for full endorsements: Adding a portfolio pathway to most endorsements could eventually provide an alternative to emergency certification for experienced practitioners
• ESOL provision: The proposed revision includes ‘Provision for issuing additional conditional certificates in shortage areas, if the applicant documents English is not their first language’ — relevant to ESOL shortage areas

⚠ Not Yet In Effect: All October 2025 Chapter 115 proposed changes are pending final rulemaking. Verify current rules at maine.gov/doe/cert before applying for any non-standard certificate.

Source: Maine DOE Newsroom (mainedoenews.net/2025/10/07/priority-notice-public-comment-period-for-proposed-rule-chapter-115…). 

From Emergency Certificate to Permanent Certification

The emergency teacher certificate is explicitly not a pathway to permanent certification. After completing one, two, or three years of emergency-certified teaching, an individual who wants to continue as a certified Maine teacher must pursue formal certification through one of the available pathways.

Recommended Parallel Pathways

• Option 1 — Conditional Certification (fastest path for degree holders): Apply for conditional certification through the district while holding the emergency certificate. If you hold a bachelor’s degree and have been identified as filling a shortage position, you may be eligible for a conditional certificate that gives you up to 4 years to complete certification requirements. The emergency teaching year counts as valuable classroom experience.
• Option 2 — EPP Enrollment (if not already enrolled): Enroll in an approved alternative EPP (ETEP at USM, UMaine Machias certificate, UMaine Orono program, or others). EPP enrollment may itself qualify you for a second emergency certificate under Pathway B, and upon EPP completion you can receive a Provisional Certificate.
• Option 3 — CTE Certification (for CTE subject areas): If your emergency certificate is in a CTE endorsement area, pursue formal CTE certification under Chapter 115 Part II Section 3. The emergency teaching experience may count toward the ‘one year recent experience’ requirement for CTE certification.
• Option 4 — Transcript analysis and conditional cert coursework: Have your transcripts evaluated by MDOE. Complete outstanding endorsement coursework (through UMaine Machias online, Maine Educators Consortium/SNHU courses, or other approved sources). Apply for conditional cert before the emergency certs are exhausted.

✔ Critical Advice: Do not wait until you have used all three emergency certificates to begin pursuing formal certification. Start the process in Year 1. Conditional certification requires a district-initiated application, which means you need district support early. Use the first year of emergency certification to build that relationship and identify your path to formal credentials.

Data Context: Maine’s Emergency Certification in Numbers

Understanding the scale and context of Maine’s emergency certification use provides important perspective for policymakers, districts, and candidates.

Current Active Non-Standard Certification (March 2025)

Credential Type	Active Count (Mar 2025)	% of ~5,000+ Non-Standard Certs	Source
Conditional Certificates	4,165	93%	MEA Legislative Testimony, March 11, 2025
Emergency Certificates	294	6.5%	MEA Legislative Testimony, March 11, 2025
Certification Waivers	87	2%	MEA Legislative Testimony, March 11, 2025
Total non-standard credentials	4,546	10% of total ME teacher workforce	MEA; NCES October 2024 (10% figure)

Sources: MEA Legislative Testimony on LD 369 (legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getTestimonyDoc.asp?id=185405, March 11, 2025); National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) October 2024 report cited in MEA testimony.

National Context

Maine’s 10% rate of conditional or emergency certified teachers is notably above the national average. The MEA testimony cites an October 2024 National Center for Education Statistics report showing: ‘the national average for teachers working on conditional or emergency certificates was 6.9%. Maine is one of seven states above this average, with 10% of its teacher workforce being conditionally or emergency certified.’

This above-average reliance on non-standard certification reflects the structural severity of Maine’s teacher shortage rather than a philosophical preference for less-qualified teachers. Maine’s aging teacher workforce, low starting salaries relative to neighboring states, rural geography, and high Praxis score requirements all contribute to ongoing pipeline challenges.

Sources: MEA Legislative Testimony (March 2025) — ‘6.9% national average; Maine is one of seven states above this average with 10%’; NCES October 2024 report. 

Maine Emergency Teacher Certification Requirements: FAQs

What is a Maine emergency teacher certificate?

A Maine emergency teacher certificate is a one-year, short-term teaching credential issued by the Maine Commissioner of Education for positions in designated teacher shortage areas, when the applicant qualifies under Title 20-A §13012-B. It may be issued to individuals who: hold a 4-year postsecondary degree or equivalent work/academic experience; are enrolled in an approved educator preparation program; or hold an Ed Tech III certification (non-emergency). Up to three emergency teacher certificates may be issued per applicant (one per year, three-year maximum).

Who qualifies for a Maine emergency teacher certificate?

Any individual who: (1) submits to a criminal history background check; (2) meets one of three criteria — holds a 4-year degree or equivalent experience, is enrolled in an approved EPP, or holds a valid non-emergency Ed Tech III certificate; and (3) is seeking to fill a position in a designated Maine teacher shortage area where no qualified certified teacher is otherwise available. Special education positions are categorically excluded under federal IDEA law.

Can I get an emergency teacher certificate to teach special education in Maine?

No. This is an absolute prohibition. On October 4, 2022, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) issued a memorandum clarifying that special education certification requirements may not be waived, including the prohibition on emergency certificates for SpEd positions. Maine’s DOE Newsroom and MEA legislative testimony both explicitly confirm that emergency certificates cannot be issued for special education endorsements. Districts with SpEd vacancies must use conditional certification, the Ed Tech III to Teacher pathway, or out-of-state reciprocity.

How long is a Maine emergency teacher certificate valid?

One school year (one-year period) per certificate. A maximum of three emergency teacher certificates may be issued per applicant — meaning the absolute maximum duration of emergency certification is three school years. After three certificates, the individual cannot continue as a teacher of record without obtaining formal certification through another pathway.

Is a mentoring program required for emergency certified teachers in Maine?

Yes — it is a statutory requirement. Title 20-A §13012-B(1) states: ‘A teacher holding an emergency teacher certificate shall participate in a mentoring program provided by the department or a school administrative unit.’ This is not optional. The mentoring program can be provided by the MDOE or the employing school district (SAU).

How does a Maine emergency certificate differ from a conditional certificate?

Key differences: The conditional certificate requires a bachelor’s degree (the emergency cert accepts degree OR equivalent experience OR EPP enrollment OR Ed Tech III); conditional certs have a longer initial duration (2 years) and renewable up to 3 more times; conditional certification leads to formal Provisional and Professional certification upon completing requirements, while the emergency certificate does not lead to any formal certification and has a hard cap of 3 total certificates; as of March 2025, there are 14 times more conditional certificates (4,165) than emergency certificates (294) in Maine.

What Maine teacher shortage areas are eligible for emergency certification?

The Commissioner of Education annually designates teacher shortage areas for the State, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education. For 2024-25, the official shortage areas include: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Technology, Earth Science, Elementary, English, ESOL, General Science, Language Arts/Reading, Library/Media, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology/Sociology, Social Studies/History, and Special Education (though SpEd is prohibited from emergency cert under IDEA). Verify the current list at mainedoenews.net — the list changes annually.

Can I apply directly for an emergency teacher certificate?

The application is submitted through the MEIS portal (maine.gov/doe/educators/licensing/meis). However, given the complexity and the requirement that the position must be in a designated shortage area with no qualified certified teacher available, the process should always be coordinated with the employing school district. The district typically initiates or co-initiates the process. Contact the MDOE Certification Office at [email protected] or (207) 624-6606 for specific guidance on your application before submitting.

Maine DOE  |  maine.gov/doe/cert  |  [email protected]  |  MEIS: maine.gov/doe/educators/licensing/meis  |  (207) 624-6606  |  Data current as of June