{"id":6964,"date":"2026-06-05T09:35:41","date_gmt":"2026-06-05T09:35:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prepsaret.com\/praxis\/?p=6964"},"modified":"2026-06-22T10:02:58","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T10:02:58","slug":"maine-teacher-certification-requirements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prepsaret.com\/praxis\/maine-teacher-certification-requirements","title":{"rendered":"Maine Teacher Certification Requirements"},"content":{"rendered":"

Teaching in a Maine public school requires a valid educator certificate issued by the Maine Department of Education (MDOE). Maine uses a teacher certification system built around endorsement-based certificates \u2014 meaning every certificate must be endorsed for a specific grade level range and subject area.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Earning a Maine teaching certificate requires completing an approved educator preparation program, meeting education and basic skills requirements, passing required assessments for the specific endorsement, completing supervised student teaching, passing a criminal history records check, and submitting a complete application through the Maine Educator Information System (MEIS).<\/span><\/p>\n

Maine’s certification framework is governed by Chapter 115: The Credentialing of Education Personnel \u2014 a set of administrative rules adopted by the Maine State Board of Education. Chapter 115 was substantially revised effective June 2022, updated again in February and May 2025, and is currently undergoing further revision through a public rulemaking process initiated in October 2025. As of the most recent update, the current Chapter 115 is the version current through June 25, 2025 per Justia Law.<\/span><\/p>\n

This guide synthesizes the complete Maine teacher certification requirements from primary authoritative sources: the MDOE, Chapter 115 Part I and Part II, the MEIS portal, the MDOE Certification FAQ, the Maine Education Association (MEA), and ETS Praxis. Whether you are a first-time certification applicant, a career changer, an out-of-state teacher, or an experienced Maine educator seeking renewal, this guide covers all pathways and requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Quick Summary: What It Takes to Become a Certified Maine Teacher<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1. Earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2. Complete an MDOE-approved educator preparation program (EPP)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3. Complete at least 15 weeks (one full semester) of supervised student teaching<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4. Meet the basic skills requirement (Praxis Core test, OR 3.0 GPA, OR successful portfolio review)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5. Pass required Praxis Subject Assessment(s) for your endorsement area<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6. Complete 3 semester hours of diversity-centered coursework<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7. Complete a criminal history records check (CHRC) through MEIS and fingerprinting via IdentoGO ($55 fee)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8. Submit application through MEIS with official transcripts and program verification<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9. Pay $100 initial application fee (+ $35 per additional endorsement)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sources: Chapter 115 Part I (Feb 10, 2025); Chapter 115 Part II Sections II-1 through II-3 (June 25, 2025); teachercertification.com Maine 2026; MDOE Certification FAQ.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Maine Teacher Certification: At a Glance<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
BA<\/b><\/p>\n

Min. Degree Required<\/b><\/p>\n

Accredited institution (Ch. 115 Pt.I \u00a76.1)<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

15 wks<\/b><\/p>\n

Student Teaching Min.<\/b><\/p>\n

Full-time semester (or equivalent)<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

3<\/b><\/p>\n

Ways to Prove Basic Skills<\/b><\/p>\n

Test OR 3.0 GPA OR portfolio<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

2 yrs<\/b><\/p>\n

Provisional Cert. Validity<\/b><\/p>\n

Extendable 1 yr; then Professional<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
$100<\/b><\/p>\n

Initial Application Fee<\/b><\/p>\n

+ $35 per extra endorsement<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

$55<\/b><\/p>\n

IdentoGO Fingerprint Fee<\/b><\/p>\n

MDOE FAQ; Bowdoin Teacher Scholars<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

5 yrs<\/b><\/p>\n

Professional Cert. Validity<\/b><\/p>\n

Renewable; 6-hr or 90-contact-hr renewal<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

4-6 wks<\/b><\/p>\n

MEIS Processing Time<\/b><\/p>\n

All Education Schools Maine 2026<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sources: Chapter 115 Part I (current Feb 10, 2025); Chapter 115 Part II (current June 25, 2025) via Justia Law; teachercertification.com Maine 2026 ($100 fee; $55 IdentoGO); MDOE Certification FAQ (maine.gov\/doe\/cert\/faq) ($55 IdentoGO); All Education Schools Maine (Feb 5, 2026) (4-6 wks processing; provisional 2 yrs; professional 5 yrs); MEA (maineea.org) (5-yr cert; 6-hr or 90-contact-hr renewal).<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Who Governs Certification: MDOE, Chapter 115, and MEIS<\/b><\/h2>\n

All Maine teacher certification is administered by the Maine Department of Education (MDOE), Certification Office. The legal framework for certification is Chapter 115: The Credentialing of Education Personnel, adopted by the Maine State Board of Education under authority of Title 20-A of the Maine Revised Statutes Annotated.<\/span><\/p>\n

MDOE Certification Office<\/b><\/h3>\n