Maryland Teacher Certification

The Maryland State Department of Education is responsible for Maryland teacher certification. Maryland offers teaching certification in the following areas: early childhood education (PreK-3), elementary education (grades 1-6 and middle school), secondary school academic areas, special education, and specialty areas.

Maryland offers the following types of teaching certificates:

• Standard Professional Certificate I (SPC I). This certificate is valid for five years. The SPC I is not renewable except at the request of a Maryland local superintendent of schools.
• Standard Professional Certificate II (SPC II). This certificate is valid for five years. The SPC II is not renewable except at the request of a Maryland local superintendent of schools.
• Advanced Professional Certificate (APC). This certificate is valid for five years. It is renewable.
• Resident Teaching Certificate (RTC). This is valid for one year and is issued to a participant in a local school system specialized program.
• Conditional Certificate (COND). This is valid for two years and is issued at the request of a local school superintendent to an individual employed in that school system who does not meet certification requirements.

Additional certification areas, or endorsements, are possible on Maryland teaching certificates.

The Process for Maryland Teacher Certification

The process to obtain a Standard Professional I (SPC I) Certificate is relatively straightforward. To obtain an SPC I, an individual must:

• Satisfy the educational requirements of at least a bachelor's degree from a state-approved teacher preparation program from a Maryland college or university or an out-of-state approved educator program. In addition, there are approved Resident Teacher Certification programs available in many Maryland school systems that offer individuals with a bachelor's degree or higher but no formal teacher preparation education an alternative certification route.
• Pass the required PRAXIS I and PRAXIS II certification tests.
• Pass a criminal background check.

To obtain a Standard Professional Certificate II (SPC II), an individual must:

• Hold a valid SPC I certificate.
• Be employed in a Maryland school system or accredited nonpublic school.
• Have three years of verified teaching experience.
• Have completed 6 semester hours of acceptable credit.
• Have a professional development plan for an Advanced Professional Certificate.

To obtain an Advanced Professional Certificate (APC), an individual must:

• Hold a valid SPC I or SPC II certificate.
• Have three years of verified teaching experience.
• Have completed 6 semester hours of acceptable credit.
• Have completed one of the following:
  • A Master's degree.
  • A minimum of 36 semester hours of post bachelor's degree course work which must include a minimum of 21 semester hours of graduate credit. The remaining 15 hours may be graduate or undergraduate coursework, or Maryland State Department of Education Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits.
  • Obtain National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification and earn a minimum of 12 semester hours of approved graduate course work.

Certification for Teachers Certified in Other States

Any individual who holds a valid certificate from another state may apply for a Maryland Certificate. Individuals with two years of experience will be exempted from the Maryland testing requirement. Upon application, Maryland will review an individuals information and determine their eligibility. They will notify individuals of their determination in writing.

All out-of-state candidates will have to successfully pass a criminal background check.

Maryland Certificate Renewal

The requirements for Advanced Professional Certificate (APC) renewal vary depending on when the original certificate was issued.

• For Individuals Holding a Current Certificate Issued Prior to January 1995 - Simply pay the renewal fee and submit verification of 3 semester hours in introduction to special education or mainstreaming. This may be from state approved inservice programs, or undergraduate, or graduate credit from a regionally accredited college or university. Individuals who teach English, social studies, elementary education, and early childhood education must present verification of completion of 3 semester hours in teaching of reading if not previously submitted.
• For Individuals Holding a Current Certificate Issued Between January 1995 and January 1999 - Pay the renewal fee and submit verification of 6 semester hours of acceptable credit, three years of in-school experience during the valid period of the certificate, and a professional development plan. Individuals who hold an APC issued during this time that are not employed in teaching may renew their certificate by paying the fee and verifying completion of the 6 semester hours of acceptable credit requirement.
• For Individuals Holding a Current Certificate Issued after January 1999 - Pay the renewal fee and submit verification of 6 semester hours of acceptable credit which must include reading, if necessary; three years of in-school experience during the valid period of the certificate; and a professional development plan. Individuals who hold an APC issued during this time that are not employed in teaching may renew their certificate by paying the fee and verifying completion of the requirement for 6 semester hours of acceptable credit which must include reading, if necessary.