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Educator License

Massachusetts Educator Licensure 

As a teacher in Massachusetts, you have a professional responsibility to maintain your educator license. The specific requirements depend on the type of license you hold: temporary, provisional, initial, or professional. 

Here's a breakdown of the key responsibilities for maintaining your license:

1. Professional license renewal

  • Renew every five years: Professional licenses are valid for five calendar years and must be renewed to remain active.
  • Earn professional development points (PDPs): To renew your primary license, you need 150 PDPs, with 30 PDPs for each additional license.
  • Structured PDPs: PDP requirements for a primary license include at least 15 PDPs each in: content area, pedagogy, SEI/ESL, and supporting students with disabilities/diverse learning styles. The remaining 90 PDPs can be earned through elective activities or additional content/pedagogy.
  • Individual professional development plan (IPDP): You must develop and maintain an IPDP that outlines your professional development goals and aligns with school/district goals. If employed in a Massachusetts public school, your supervisor must approve your IPDP.
  • Application and fees: Complete the online application and pay any applicable fees through your ELAR account.
  • Record keeping: Maintain records of your PDPs and professional development verification for five years from the date of recertification, as they are subject to audit review by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). 

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Home

2. Advancing your license

  • Temporary and Provisional Licenses: These licenses have limited validity (one and five years respectively) and cannot be renewed. You must advance to the next level of licensure (Provisional to Initial, Initial to Professional) before they expire.
  • Meeting requirements: Ensure you fulfill the necessary experience and educational requirements to advance your license. For example, advancing from an Initial to a Professional license requires at least three years of employment under the Initial license, completion of an induction program with a mentor, and specific educational requirements (like a master's degree or 12 graduate credits in the license's subject matter knowledge). 

3. Staying informed and compliant

  • Review DESE Guidelines: Refer to the License Renewal Guidelines for Massachusetts Educators published by the DESE for detailed instructions on documenting professional development and approved activities.
  • Understand Waiver Policies: If you find yourself in a situation where you might be working without the appropriate license, familiarize yourself with DESE's waiver policies.
  • Report Misconduct: Licensed administrators are required to report to the Commissioner the dismissal, resignation, or non-renewal of employment of a licensee for reasons that implicate the grounds for limiting a license. 

 

 

DESE Licenses Offered:

Advance or Renew a DESE License:

DESE Licensure Requirements:

Login into ELAR to Apply, Renew or Check Licensure Status      The Commonwealth of Massachusetts