{"id":6989,"date":"2026-06-05T09:46:53","date_gmt":"2026-06-05T09:46:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prepsaret.com\/praxis\/?p=6989"},"modified":"2026-06-22T07:20:26","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T07:20:26","slug":"maryland-teacher-certification-requirements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prepsaret.com\/praxis\/maryland-teacher-certification-requirements","title":{"rendered":"Maryland Teacher Certification Requirements"},"content":{"rendered":"

Maryland’s public school teacher certification system is one of the most rigorously structured in the United States \u2014 and one of the most actively evolving. On April 1, 2024, Maryland implemented significant new licensure regulations under COMAR Title 13A, Subtitle 12, expanding pathways to certification, converting existing certificate designations to a new license framework, and establishing clearer requirements for each license type.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Effective July 1, 2025, all teacher candidates must complete a performance-based pedagogy assessment (edTPA or PPAT), replacing the previous Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) exam.<\/span><\/p>\n

Maryland now offers eight distinct types of educator licenses \u2014 from the Initial Professional License (IPL) for newly certified teachers to the Advanced Professional License (APL) for experienced educators with additional credentials.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The system is designed to recognize multiple pathways to the classroom, including traditional university-based preparation, MSDE-approved alternative preparation programs (MAAPP), and several flexible pathways introduced by the 2024 regulations.<\/span><\/p>\n

All data in this guide is drawn from primary sources: MSDE COMAR 13A.12, the MSDE Educator Licensure Overview documents, the TEACH portal guidance, HCPSS Educator Licensure page, Towson University MSDE Certification requirements, the MSEA Pathways to Educator Licensure explainers, and ETS Praxis Maryland overview.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This guide reflects the certification requirements in effect as of the April 1, 2024 COMAR update and the July 1, 2025 pedagogy assessment change.<\/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 Maryland Teacher<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1. Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2. Complete an MSDE-approved educator preparation program (MAP) including a clinical internship<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3. Meet the basic skills requirement: pass Praxis Core OR hold a 3.0+ GPA on most recently earned degree<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4. Pass the Praxis II Subject Assessment for your certification area<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5. Complete a performance-based pedagogy assessment: edTPA or PPAT (required from July 1, 2025)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6. Pass the reading instruction assessment (for Early Childhood, Elementary, Special Education, and ESOL)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7. Complete a criminal background check (upon hire)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8. Apply through the TEACH portal and develop an Individualized Professional Development Plan (IPDP)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9. Pay the $10 MSDE initial license fee<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sources: MSDE Educator Licensure Overview (April 1, 2024); HCPSS Educator Licensure page; ETS Praxis Maryland overview; MSEA Pathways explainers.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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

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

Accredited institution; all pathways<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

8<\/b><\/p>\n

Types of Educator Licenses<\/b><\/p>\n

MSEA explainer; April 1, 2024 reform<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

Apr.1,24<\/b><\/p>\n

New Licensure Regs Effective<\/b><\/p>\n

COMAR 13A.12 updated April 1, 2024<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

July 2025<\/b><\/p>\n

edTPA\/PPAT Required<\/b><\/p>\n

PLT no longer accepted after Jul 1, 2025<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
3.0 GPA<\/b><\/p>\n

Exempts from Basic Skills Test<\/b><\/p>\n

Most recently earned degree; Towson<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

$10<\/b><\/p>\n

MSDE Initial License Fee<\/b><\/p>\n

Per MSDE; certificate or renewal<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

$74,260<\/b><\/p>\n

Avg. Teacher Salary (2024-25)<\/b><\/p>\n

NEA 2025; Maryland ranks 9th nationally<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

9th<\/b><\/p>\n

National Salary Ranking<\/b><\/p>\n

NEA 2025 Rankings and Estimates<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Sources: MSEA Pathways to Educator Licensure (marylandeducators.org, May 2024) \u2014 8 license types; April 1, 2024 effective date; HCPSS Educator Licensure page \u2014 July 1, 2025 edTPA\/PPAT; PLT not accepted after July 1, 2025; COMAR 13A.12.02-05; Towson University MSDE Certification \u2014 ‘3.0 GPA exempts from basic skills’; Montgomery County Schools RTC page \u2014 ‘$10 fee’; teachercertificationdegrees.com MD (March 2026) \u2014 $74,260 avg salary; 9th nationally.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Who Governs Certification: MSDE and COMAR 13A.12<\/b><\/h2>\n

All teacher certification in Maryland is administered by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), Division of Educator Effectiveness \u2014 specifically through the Division of Educator Certification and Program Approval. Teacher licensure requirements are codified in the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) Title 13A, Subtitle 12.<\/span><\/p>\n