If you teach in Massachusetts, you must hold an active license that matches your current assignment. Comprehensive information on licensure can be found on the website of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (MA DESE). Key links are highlighted below. If you have licensing questions, please contact Dan Murphy, AFT MA’s director of educational policy and programs.
Vocational Technical Teacher Licenses
- Vocational technical teacher license home page at MA DESE website
- State regulations for vocational technical education and vocational technical licenses
Academic Teacher Licenses
There are four types of academic teacher licenses in Massachusetts: temporary, preliminary, initial, and professional. It is the responsibility of educators to advance and maintain the appropriate license(s), in accordance with state licensure regulations. Temporary licenses apply to teachers who were licensed out of state; visit the MA DESE website to learn more about this license. You can find basic information on the other three licenses below, as well as information on how to renew a professional license in accordance with state requirements. For complete information, visit the academic teacher license home page of the MA DESE website.
Preliminary License
- Applies to educators who have not completed an approved educator preparation program
- Generally requires a bachelor’s degree and passing scores on the appropriate MTEL tests
- Additional coursework is required for some licenses, such as elementary and special education
- Is valid for 5 years of employment; cannot be extended or renewed
Initial License
- Requires a bachelor’s degree, passing scores on the appropriate MTEL tests, and completion of an approved educator preparation program
- A chart by MA DESE outlines the five routes to initial licensure (PowerPoint required)
- The initial license is valid for 5 years of employment and may be extended once at the discretion of the commissioner
Professional License
- This is the most advanced stage of licensure in Massachusetts
- You must teach under an initial license for 3 years before advancing to professional
- A chart by MA DESE outlines the five routes to a professional license (PowerPoint required)
- Each professional license is valid for five calendar years and must be renewed upon completion of an individual professional development plan (see below)
Renewing Your Professional Academic License (Also Called “Recertification”)
- MA DESE recertification home page
- State recertification guidelines
- Recertification application:
Online renewal