{"id":7004,"date":"2026-06-05T10:02:20","date_gmt":"2026-06-05T10:02:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prepsaret.com\/praxis\/?p=7004"},"modified":"2026-06-22T05:51:47","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T05:51:47","slug":"maryland-teacher-certification-reciprocity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prepsaret.com\/praxis\/maryland-teacher-certification-reciprocity","title":{"rendered":"Maryland Teacher Certification Reciprocity"},"content":{"rendered":"

Maryland operates a structured, COMAR-governed teacher certification reciprocity system that is notable for several distinctive features: it is explicitly welcoming to out-of-state licensed teachers through the state’s official Teach Maryland portal, it provides a bridge credential (the Temporary Professional Teacher License) for teachers who need time to complete Maryland’s specific assessment requirements, and it is grounded in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement that facilitates reciprocity across the nation.<\/span><\/p>\n

At its core, Maryland’s reciprocity approach is anchored in COMAR 13A.12.02.03 \u2014 the Pathways to Teacher Licensure regulation \u2014 which, since April 1, 2024, offers nine pathways to initial professional licensure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One of these pathways is specifically designed for teachers who ‘completed an out-of-state teacher preparation program or held a valid out-of-state professional license.’\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This pathway provides out-of-state teachers with a direct route to the Maryland Initial Professional License (IPL), subject to meeting Maryland’s own specific assessment and documentation requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n

Maryland’s approach is also shaped by a pressing need: with 1,619 teacher vacancies at the start of 2024-25 and 28 designated shortage areas, Maryland has strong policy incentives to make inbound reciprocity as accessible as possible for qualified out-of-state teachers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At the same time, Maryland maintains its assessment standards \u2014 particularly the July 2025 mandate for portfolio-based pedagogy assessments (edTPA or PPAT) \u2014 to ensure that reciprocity does not mean bypassing meaningful quality benchmarks.<\/span><\/p>\n

This Prepsaret<\/a> guide covers every aspect of Maryland teacher certification reciprocity from primary sources: COMAR 13A.12.02.03, COMAR 13A.12.02.02 (the Temporary Professional License provision), the MSDE Educator Licensure Overview (April 2024), the MSDE Licensure Assessments document (July 2025), Teach Maryland, and key institutions like Salisbury University and HCPSS. Both directions of reciprocity \u2014 inbound (how to get Maryland certification with an out-of-state license) and outbound (how to use your Maryland license in other states) \u2014 are covered.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Quick Summary: Maryland Teacher Certification Reciprocity<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
INBOUND (Getting a Maryland License with an Out-of-State License):<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0 If you have a valid out-of-state license OR completed an out-of-state teacher preparation program, you have a ‘direct route to Maryland licensure’ (Teach Maryland).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0 You must still: pass Maryland’s required content licensure test (Praxis II); meet the basic skills requirement (Praxis Core, 3.0 GPA, or 3 years of effective MD evaluations); complete a pedagogy assessment (edTPA or PPAT from July 2025); and pass the reading instruction test if seeking Elementary, Early Childhood, SpEd, or ESOL licensure.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0 If you haven’t yet passed Maryland’s tests, you may be eligible for a 2-year Temporary Professional Teacher License while you complete them.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
OUTBOUND (Using Your Maryland License in Other States):<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0 Maryland issues portable 5-year professional licenses (IPL, PL, APL) that are recognized through the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0 A complete list of states that recognize Maryland certification is at nasdtec.net (Salisbury University guidance).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0 Apply for your Maryland certificate ‘right after graduation’ even if moving out of state \u2014 having it makes getting certified elsewhere ‘much, much easier’ (Salisbury University).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sources: Teach Maryland (teach.maryland.gov); COMAR 13A.12.02.02A and 13A.12.02.03 (Cornell LII; regs.maryland.gov); Salisbury University (salisbury.edu); MSDE Licensure Assessments PDF (July 2025).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Maryland Teacher Certification Reciprocity: Key Facts\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Direct<\/b><\/p>\n

Route for Out-of-State Teachers<\/b><\/p>\n

Teach Maryland: direct route via prep program or license<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

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

Pathways to MD Licensure<\/b><\/p>\n

MSDE: 9 pathways effective April 1, 2024<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

NASDTEC<\/b><\/p>\n

Interstate Agreement<\/b><\/p>\n

Salisbury U.: nasdtec.net for all reciprocity states<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

Temp.Prof<\/b><\/p>\n

Bridge License Available<\/b><\/p>\n

COMAR 13A.12.02.02A \u2014 2-yr while passing MD tests<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
5 yrs<\/b><\/p>\n

MD IPL\/PL Validity (Outbound)<\/b><\/p>\n

Portable to other states via NASDTEC<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

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

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

Or: 3 years effective MD evaluations<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

July 25<\/b><\/p>\n

edTPA\/PPAT for Out-of-State Too<\/b><\/p>\n

MSDE Assessments doc July 2025<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

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

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

Per TEACH portal<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Sources: Teach Maryland (teach.maryland.gov\/Pages\/Certified-Out-of-State-Teacher.aspx) \u2014 ‘direct route to Maryland licensure’; MSDE Teacher Workforce Report (May 2024) \u2014 9 pathways effective April 1, 2024; Salisbury University (salisbury.edu) \u2014 NASDTEC; COMAR 13A.12.02.02A (Cornell LII) \u2014 Temporary Professional 2-year; Cornell LII COMAR 13A.12.02.03 \u2014 3.0 GPA \/ 3 years evaluations; MSDE Licensure Assessments PDF (July 29, 2025) \u2014 out-of-state applicants must pass pedagogy; $10 fee (TEACH portal).<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Legal Foundation: COMAR 13A.12.02.03 and the April 2024 Overhaul<\/b><\/h2>\n

Maryland teacher certification reciprocity is grounded in COMAR Title 13A, Subtitle 12, Chapter 13A.12.02 \u2014 Teachers. The specific pathway for out-of-state teachers is codified in COMAR 13A.12.02.03 \u2014 Pathways to Teacher Licensure. This regulation was substantially updated effective April 1, 2024, expanding the number of pathways and adding new flexible options.<\/span><\/p>\n

Primary Regulatory Sources<\/b><\/h3>\n