"MARYLAND CERTIFICATION INFORMATION"

MARYLAND CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Maryland welcomes your interest regarding certification. our state is committed to insuring success for every learner in every school. Talented Maryland educators are vital to the accomplishment of this goal.
Maryland State Department of Education
Division of Certification & Accreditation
200 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Telephone information:
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday
Specialists are available:
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. M-W-F
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. T-TH
(410) 767-0412

Procedures for Certification Evaluation

The Certification Branch needs to determine eligibility, before you make formal application for a teaching certificate.
For an evaluation of your credentials, a complete packet of information including the following must be submitted.

General information including name, address, social security number, telephone number, subject area for which you wish an evaluation. (Two evaluations may be requested within a 12 month period). If you have completed student teaching, give dates, subjects and grade levels taught.
Official transcripts reflecting the bachelor's degree and any post-baccalaureate course work.
(PHOTOCOPIES NOT ACCEPTABLE) Student copies are acceptable if the raised seal and/pr registrar's signature are present or if submitted in an unopened mailer. Transcripts must be forwarded by the applicant as part of the complete packet and not under separate cover from a college or university.
NTE scores for the Core Battery (General Knowledge and Communication Skills) are required for an evaluation (see NTE) unless you are exempted as provided below. NTE qualifying scores are required for all teaching certificates. Professional Knowledge and Specialty Area Tests are also required for full certification.
An NTE exemption is available to an individual who submits a regular professional certificate and official verification of 2 years satisfactory teaching experience in the certification are or a current professional certificate and verification from the issuing state dept. of ed. that a qualifying score on a comparable valid state certification test was submitted to receive the certificate.
For Maryland certification based on Interstate reciprocity, the applicant must submit a valid professional certificate from another state and official verification of 3 years of satisfactory full-time experience in the certification area within the past 7 years.
An evaluation of foreign credentials cannot be provided by this office. An original course-by-course translation of foreign records must be provided to include equivalence of degree and semester hours. A list of approved agencies is available upon request.
When the complete packet of information is received, a specialist will review the information and inform you in writing of your certification status. Incomplete packets will be returned.
If you are not eligible for a certificate at the time you first inquire, you may complete any outstanding requirements and submit the corresponding records for a follow-up review. Evaluated records are not returned, but will be kept on file for one (1) year from the date of the last correspondence.
When you are eligible for a certificate, this office will send you an application. Complete and return it with the certification fee (money order or personal check) made payable to the Maryland State Department of Education. Personal checks must clear before certificate processing.
If you have held Maryland certification at any time, include photocopies of all certificates. Otherwise, list the validity dates of the certificates, name of the local school system(s) in which you were employed, dates of employment , your name at the time the certificate was issued, and you social security number.
BASIC CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Professionals in Maryland public schools and in approved schools operated by state agencies are required to hold an appropriate certificate. Nonpublic school personnel and prospective professionals may also be issued an appropriate certificate.
National Teachers Exam (NTE)

The National Teachers Exam is required for the issuance of a Maryland teaching certificate (see NTE).
Qualifying for a Maryland Certificate

A person may qualify for a professional certificate by one of the following ways:

Complete a Maryland approved program.
Complete an NCATE approved program.
Complete an Interstate approved program.
Meet the Interstate Contract criteria for experienced professionals:
hold a valid certificate in the area to be recognized for reciprocity form a participating state, and
have taught in the subject area a total of three (3) years/ (27 months) within the past seven (7) years in any member state.

Complete a state approved program from a regionally accredited institution.
Complete a Maryland Resident Teacher program.
Complete specific requirements outlined in the certification bylaws (transcript analysis).

Interstate Reciprocity

Maryland participates in the Interstate Certification Contract. Under reciprocal agreements, Maryland recognizes classroom teacher, administrator, vocational and support areas.
Transcript Analysis

A professional certificate may be issued to a person who meets specific course requirements as outlined in the certification by laws. Recent Credit
A person must have completed at least six (6) semester hours of credit within the past (5) years if qualifying under a program option or transcript analysis option. Recent credit is not required of those who meet the experience criteria for Interstate reciprocity.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Video, Telecommunications and Correspondence Courses.
Video, telecommunications and correspondence courses which are offered for undergraduate of graduate credit by a regionally accredited institution are acceptable.
Foreign Credits and Degrees
Foreign degrees are recognized if, after appropriate evaluation, they are determined to be the equivalent of American post-secondary degrees (see Application Procedures).
Grade Criteria
Course work must be completed with a grade of "C" or better to fulfill requirements using the transcript analysis option.
FOR AN EVALUATION OF YOUR CREDENTIALS ONE COMPLETE PACKET OF MATERIAL MUST BE SUBMITTED BY THE INDIVIDUAL SEE THE ATTACHED EVALUATION PROCEDURES. INCOMPLETE PACKETS WILL BE RETURNED.
Fees
A processing fee is required for the initial issuance of a certificate for each certificate renewal thereafter.
Credit System
Course work requirements are based on the semester system; therefore any course work earned through the quarter system would be converted by multiplying the quarter hours by 2/3.
Experience Requirement
One year of successful classroom teaching experience in the subject area and at the age/grade level of certification may be substituted for the student teaching requirement upon receipt of appropriate verification. EXCEPTION: Early Childhood Ed. (1 yr. Primary; 1yr. Nursery or Kindergarten)
Any experience requirement for certification can be satisfied only by successful professional full time teaching experience. Long term substitute experience (minimum of 3 months) in the same assignment may be applied if appropriate for the subject and age/grade level of certification area.
NATIONAL TEACHERS EXAM (NTE)

In addition to meeting the basic certification requirements a teacher must meet the testing requirement (NTE)
Teacher certification tests include the three (2) Core Battery tests and Specialty Area Test in most subject fields.
To request an evaluation, an applicant must present scores for two of the Core Battery tests (Communication Skills and General Knowledge). HOWEVER FOR FULL CERTIFICATION, THE PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND THE SPECIALTY AREA TEST ARE ALSO REQUIRED.

An applicant presenting a professional teaching certificate and verification of 2 years satisfactory full-time teaching experience in the certification area at the appropriate level or a current, professional certificate and certification from the issuing state dept. of ed. that a qualifying score on a comparable state certification test was submitted to received the certificate, is exempted from the testing requirement for a like Maryland certificate.

An applicant who has taken the NTE must submit the scores when applying for a Maryland certificate.
NTE scores must be sent to MSDE from Educational Testing Service (ETS) using Code r7403 or in one of the following ways: notation on an official college transcript, original examinee's score report, original examinee's additional score report, a notarized copy of either report, or by verification from a state department of education.
Testing Dates and Application Procedure

Information regarding testing dates, test sites, and application procedure may be obtained directly from:
NTE Programs, Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 6051
Princeton, NJ 08541-6051
TEL: (800) 772-9467

The NTE may be taken at any valid test site.
Tests and Scores

Following are scores in effect for the respective tests:
Core Battery Communication Skills (20500) 648 General Knowledge (10510) 645 Professional Knowledge (30520) 648 Specialty Area and Test Code Art Education (10130) 510 Biology (10230) * Biology and General Science (10030) 570 Business Education (10100) 540 Chemistry (10240) * Chemistry, Physics, General Science (10070) 520 Early Childhood Education (10020) 520 Education in Elementary School (20010) 550 English Language & Literature (10040) 500 French (10170) 510 German (20180) 510 Home Economics Education (10120) 520 Library Media Specialist ** (10310) 540 Mathematics (10060) 520 Music Education (10110) 530 Physical Education (10090) 580 Physical Science (10070) 520 Physics (10260) * Social Studies (10080) 530 Spanish (10190) 500 Special Education (10350) 500 Speech Communication (10220) 500 Technology Education (10050) 550

Specialty area tests are required only for the noted certification areas.
Teachers of specific social sciences, e.g., history, geography, political science, etc., are not required to present a specialty area test score.
* Qualifying scores have not been established for the biology, chemistry, and physics tests. These may be taken on a no-fault basis.
** Required for Educational Media Associate - Level I only.
CERTIFICATES

Maryland does not issue a permanent certificate.
The Provisional Certificate is a one-year certificate issued to an employed individual at the request of the local superintendent of schools. It is reissued for subsequent one-ear periods provided the individual is employed and completes appropriate renewal requirements toward full certification.
The Professional Eligibility Certificate is the initial certificate issued to an individual who meets all certification requirements but is not employed.
The Resident Teacher Certificate is a one-year certificate issued to teacher candidates who have been selected by a local school system to participate in a specialized program. The Resident Teacher Certificate program is an option available only through a participating local school system.
The Standard Professional Certificate I is valid for 3 years and issued to an individual who meets all certification requirements and is employed by a Maryland local school system or an accredited nonpublic school.
The SPC I may be renewed only one time at the request of a local superintendent for an individual who completes six (6) semester hours of acceptable credits but does not meet the experience requirement ( 3 years satisfactory professional experience, 2 consecutive), for the SPC II.
The Standard Professional Certificate II is valid for 7 years and issued to an individual who completes the SPC I and submits verification of 3 years of satisfactory professional experience, 2 consecutive, six (6) semester hours acceptable credit and a professional development plan for the Advanced Professional Certificate. The Standard Professional Certificate II may not be renewed.
The Extended Standard Professional Certificate II is valid for 3 years and issued to an individual who completes six (6) semester hours of acceptable credit, but whose service on the SPC II was interrupted during the validity period By the expiration date of the Extended certificate the individual must complete the requirements for the Advanced Professional Certificate. The ESPC II may not be renewed.
The Advanced Professional Certificate is valid for 5 years and issued to an individual who submits verification of 4 years of full-time professional school related experience, 2 consecutive, within the last 7 years, and a master's degree or a minimum of thirty-six (36) semester hours of post baccalaureate course work which must include at least twenty-one (21) semester hours of graduate credit. The remaining fifteen (15) semester hours may include graduate or undergraduate course work and/or Maryland approved continuing education units. Six (6) semester hours must be related to the professional's discipline.
The Advanced Professional Certificate may be renewed for subsequent five-year periods provided specific renewal requirements have been met, according to regulation.
Certificates are issued with either a January or a July date according to regulation.
Specific Renewal Requirements:
For specific renewal information, you may write tot he Certification Branch. Include the following: copy of your last certificate and/or the validity dates of you last certificate, name of the local school system in which you were employed, dates of employment, your name at the time the certificate was issued, and your social security number.
Lapsed Certificate
Allowing a certificate to lapse will result in having to satisfy additional requirements.
Revocation and Suspension
Certificates may be suspended or revoked for specific reasons.
Certificates may be suspended for one year for violation of conditions of contract by leaving the employment of a local school without consent of the local board.
Candidates who have not completed a state-approved education program or who can not submit verification of at least 27 months of satisfactory full-time professional school-related experience on a valid professional state certificate, will be evaluated for certification by transcript analysis using the following requirements.
CONTENT MASTERY CERTIFICATION - EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 1995
CERTIFICATION AREAS

.03 Agriculture/Agribusiness 7-12 .26 History 7-12 .05 Art N-12 .28 Home Economics 7-12 .06 Biology 7-12 .30 Industrial Arts/Technology 7-12 .07 Business Education 7-12 .32 Mathematics 7-12 .09 Chemistry 7-12 .34 Music N-12 .10 Computer Science 7-12 .37 Physical Education N-12 .16 Earth/Space Science 7-12 .38 Physical Science 7-12 .18 English 7-12 .39 Physics 7-12 .20 Foreign Language - Classical 7-12 .44 Speech Communication 7-12 .21 Foreign Language - Modern 7-12 .46 Theater 7-12 .22 Geography 7-12 .23 Health Education N-12

A. The applicant shall complete one of the following options:

A bachelor's degree or higher degree from an Institution of Higher Education (IHE) with a major in the certification area; or
A bachelor' s degree or higher degree from an IHE and no less than 36 semester hours of content course work in one of the certification areas noted above:
No less than 50 percent of the content course work under �A(2) of this regulation shall be taken at the same institution;
No less than 12 semester hours of content course work under �A(2) of this regulation shall be upper division course work.

B. Professional Education Courses.
The professional education course requirements for certification are that the applicant shall have:
All the semester hours of content course work required for early childhood, or elementary education or any of the academic subject areas under COMAR 13 A. 12.02; and
18 semester hours of course work from an IHE including at least one course in each of the following at the appropriate age or grade level of the certificate.

Child or Adolescent Development;
Human Learning;
Teaching Methodology;
Inclusion of Diverse Student Populations; and
Assessment of Students.

Teaching Experience. In addition to the requirements under ��A and B of this regulation, the applicant shall complete a teaching experience in one of the following ways:

A supervised experience in a public or accredited nonpublic school setting at the appropriate age or grade level and in the subject area for which the applicant is seeking certification; or
One year of satisfactory full-time teaching experience in a public or accredited nonpublic school setting at the appropriate age or grade level and in the subject area for which the applicant is seeking certification.

The applicant shall complete no less than 50 percent of the professional education course work under �B of this regulation at the same institution.
Candidates who have not completed a state-approved education program .or who can not submit verification of at least 27 months of satisfactory full-time professional school-related experience on a valid professional state certificate, will be evaluated for certification by transcript analysis using the following requirements.
Early Childhood Education (Nursery. - 3).
As of July 1, 1995, the requirements for certification in Early Childhood Education N-3 are:
A. The applicant shall Complete one of the following options:

A bachelor's degree or higher degree from an Institution of Higher Education (IHE) with a major in interdisciplinary studies or a major in an academic field taught in early childhood education including at least 12 semester hours each in Mathematics and Science and 9 semester hours each in English and Social Studies; or
A bachelor' s degree or higher degree from an IHE and no less than 48 semester hours of content course work including at least 12 semester hours each in Mathematics and Science and 9 semester hours each in English and Social Studies

B. Professional Education Courses.
In addition to the requirements under .40 of this regulation, the applicant shall complete 18 semester hours of course work including a course in each of the following at the appropriate age or grade level of the certificate.

Child or Adolescent Development;
Human Learning;
Teaching Methodology;
Inclusion of Diverse Student Populations; and
Assessment of Students.

Teaching Experience. In addition to the requirements in A and B( 1 ) of this regulation, the applicant shall complete a teaching experience in one of the following ways:
A supervised experience in a public or accredited nonpublic school setting at the nursery or kindergarten level and primary age/grade level; or
Two years of successful full-time teaching experience in a public or accredited nonpublic school setting at the nursery or kindergarten level and primary age/grade level.

C. No less than 50 percent of the course work in A and B of this regulation shall be taken at the same institution or a consortium of institutions.
Candidates who have not completed a state-approved education program or who can not submit verification of at least 27 months of satisfactory full-time professional school-related experience on a valid professional state certificate, will be evaluated for certification by transcript analysis using the following requirements.
Elementary Education (1-6) and Middle School
As of July 1, 1995. the requirements for certification in Elementary. Education 1-6 and Middle School are:
A. The applicant shall complete one of the following options:
A bachelor's degree or higher degree from an Institution of Higher Education (IHE) with a major in interdisciplinary studies or a major in an academic field taught in elementary education including at least 12 semester hours each in Mathematics and Science and 9 semester hours each in English and Social Studies; or
A bachelor's degree or higher degree from an IHE and no less than 48 semester hours of content course work including at least ! 2 semester hours each in Mathematics and Science and 9 semester hours each in English and Social Studies.

B. Professional Education Courses.
In addition to the requirements under A( 1 ) or A(2) of this regulation, the applicant shall complete 18 semester hours of course work including a course in each of the following at the appropriate age or grade level of the certificate.
Child or Adolescent Development;
Human Learning;
Teaching Methodology;
Inclusion of Diverse Student Populations; and
Assessment of Students.

Teaching Experience. In addition to the requirements in A and B( 1 ) of this regulation, the applicant shall complete a teaching experience in one of the following ways:
A supervised experience in a public or accredited nonpublic school setting at the appropriate age/grade level; or
One year of successful full-time teaching experience in a public or accredited nonpublic school setting at the appropriate age/grade level.

C. No less than 50 percent of the course work under A and B of this regulation shall be taken at the same institution or a consortium of institutions.
Candidates who have not completed a state-approved education program or who can not submit verification of at least 27 months of satisfactory full-time professional school-related experience on a valid professional state certificate, will be evaluated for certification by transcript analysis using the following requirements.
13A.12.02 Teachers
.01 Purpose.
A. Content Mastery Verification. These regulations set forth the requirements for content and professional education courses in addition to those requirements under COMAR 13A. 12.01.05 which an applicant shall meet to be certified to teach in a specific area.
B. Exceptions. The content mastery verification requirements do not apply to an applicant who has completed an option under COMAR 13A.12.01.04 B-D and F.
.42 Social Studies (7-12).
As of July 1, 1995, to receive certification in social studies (7-12), the applicant shall:
A. Complete one of the following options:
A bachelor's degree or higher degree from an Institution of Higher Education (IHE) with a major in social studies;
or
A bachelor's degree or a higher degree from an IHE and 36 semester hours or more of social studies content course work including at least two courses each in history, geography, economics, and political science and with at least:
50 percent of the content course work taken at the same institution, and
12 semester hours of content course work to be upper division course work; and

B. Meet the professional education course requirements under Regulation .40 of this chapter.
.40 Professional Education Courses.
A. The applicant shall complete the professional education course requirements for certification set forth in ��B - E of this regulation.
B. The applicant shall have all the semester hours of content course work required for early childhood, elementary education, or any of the academic subject areas under COMAR 13A. 12.02.
C. The applicant shall have 18 semester hours of course work from an IHE including at least one course in each of the following at the appropriate age or grade level of the certificate:
Child or Adolescent Development;
Human Learning;
Teaching Methodology;
Inclusion of Diverse Student Population; and
Assessment of Students.

D. The applicant shall complete a teaching experience in one of the following ways:
A supervised experience in a public or accredited nonpublic school setting at the appropriate age or grade level and in the subject area for which the applicant is seeking certification; or
I year of satisfactory full-time teaching experience in a public or accredited nonpublic school setting at the appropriate age or grade level and in the subject area for which the applicant is seeking certification.
E. The applicant shall complete not less than 50 percent of the professional education course work under �C of this regulation at the same institution.

Testing:
The applicant shall meet the requirements for certification and shall obtain the appropriate qualifying scores on the National Teachers Exam (NTE).
Recent Credit:
Except for certification under the Interstate Contract Agreement for the experienced professional, an applicant must have completed at least six semester hours of credit within five years immediately preceding the issuance of a professional certificate.
Grade Requirements:
Each course submitted to fulfill a credit count requirement shall be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
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