How to Get Your Maryland Teacher Certification
Your Maryland teaching certification opens the door to a meaningful career and the chance to make a positive, lasting impact on your community. Whether you’re a recent graduate or considering a career change, Maryland offers career growth, higher teacher salaries, and multiple paths to a teaching license.
This guide will walk you through the steps to earning your Maryland teaching certification — from choosing the right teacher preparation program to passing your certification exams and applying for your license.
Maryland State Department of Education
The Maryland State Department of Education is a great resource to help you navigate teacher certification, with info on scholarships for future teachers, salary incentives, and high-need subject areas.
The MSDE has specific pages for high-school students interested in teaching, career changers, and more.
How to Become a Certified Teacher in Maryland
Maryland has several pathways to earning an initial teaching license.
The Direct Pathway
If you’re a high-school graduate and you know you want to become a teacher, you can earn a bachelor’s degree in education from a 4-year college or university.
You’ll then need to:
- Pass the Maryland licensure assessments.
- Complete a background check and fingerprinting.
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The Alternative Pathway
If you have a bachelor’s degree in something other than education, you can apply for a conditional or temporary license and teach in a Maryland school while you work toward your professional certification.
For those candidates, Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program can be completed in as little as 9 months:
- Fully accredited
- 100% online
- Global cohort model
- Rolling admissions
- Monthly start dates
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Teacher Benefits in Maryland
Competitive Salaries
Maryland teachers make an average of $79,420, according to the National Education Association. That’s the 8th highest rate in the nation.
Abundant Job Opportunities
Jobs for elementary and secondary school teachers in Maryland are projected to grow 11% by 2032, compared to 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Diverse Classrooms
Maryland teachers educate nearly 900,000 students every year. That student body is 33% Black, 33% white, and 22% Hispanic/Latino, according to the state department of education.
High Quality of Life
As one of the 13 original colonies, Maryland is steeped in history and tradition. Francis Scott Key wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner” in Maryland. The state is also home to the Chesapeake Bay, the Baltimore Orioles, and the Baltimore Ravens.
Certification Types
Maryland has several types of teacher licenses, including temporary or conditional, initial, and professional.
Conditional License
A Conditional License is for teachers who are employed by a Maryland school but still working toward professional licensure.
- Non-renewable, valid for 3-5 years
- If the only outstanding requirement is the Maryland licensure assessments, you can apply instead for a Temporary Professional License. A TPL is non-renewable, valid for 2 years.
Initial Professional License
An Initial Professional License is the starting license for teachers who meet all the requirements for professional certification. This includes completing a teacher preparation program and passing the Maryland licensure assessments.
- Renewable, valid for 5 years
Professional License
A Professional License is for teachers with 3 years of effective performance or who complete a Maryland induction program. From there, you can move to an Advanced Professional License with one of the following: a National Board Certificate, a master’s degree or higher, 30 semester hours of post-baccalaureate credit.
- Renewable, valid for 5 years
For more information or other license types in Maryland, visit the Maryland State Department of Education website.
Maryland Teacher Requirements
General Requirements
Maryland teachers are required to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. They also must:
- Complete a teacher preparation program, including clinical experience.
- Pass the Maryland licensure assessments.
- Complete a background check and fingerprinting.
Testing Requirements
The Maryland licensure assessments test candidates on basic skills, subject area content, and
pedagogy. Specific exams will vary based on the subject and grades you want to teach.
For more information, visit the Maryland State Department of Education website.
Education & Degree Requirements
Maryland requires educators to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. If your degree is in
something other than education, you can complete an alternative teacher preparation
program, such as Moreland University’s 9-month TEACH-NOW program.
Maryland Licensing Application Process
When you’re ready to apply for your Maryland teaching license, you’ll submit your application online through The Educator Application and Credentialing Hub (TEACH).
Maryland Teacher Preparation Program
Maryland teaching candidates can choose from in- or out-of-state programs to earn a teaching license.
Moreland University’s 9-month TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program is a great option for Maryland teachers eager to advance their careers. TEACH-NOW is fully accredited and 100% online, with small class sizes, dedicated mentors, and clinical learning (student teaching) included.
Moreland University’s Guide to Teacher Certification in Maryland offers a streamlined overview of what it takes to earn your professional license.
FAQs
You have questions about becoming a certified teacher in Maryland. We have answers.
How do I become a Maryland teacher?
Maryland requires teachers to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. If your degree is in something other than education, you can earn your teaching certification through a teacher preparation program like Moreland University’s 9-month TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program.
You’ll also need to pass the Maryland licensure assessments and complete a background check and fingerprinting.
You can find more information on the Maryland State Department of Education website.
Do I need a certification to teach in Maryland?
Yes, in most cases, you need a certification to teach in Maryland. Maryland offers a conditional or temporary license, which allows candidates to teach full-time while fulfilling the requirements for a professional license.
You could also earn an Initial Professional License, a Professional License, or an Advanced Professional License, to name a few.
For more information, visit the Maryland State Department of Education website.
What are the requirements for Maryland teacher certification?
The specific requirements for teacher certification in Maryland vary depending on the type of license you’re seeking and the grades and subject areas you want to teach.
In general, though, Maryland teachers must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- Complete a teacher preparation program.
- Pass the Maryland licensure assessments.
- Pass a criminal background check.
It’s important to note this is just one example of a path to a teaching certification in Maryland. For more detailed information, visit the Maryland State Department of Education website.
What are the steps to get a teaching certification in Maryland?
To earn a teaching certification in Maryland, you need to:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree.
- Complete a teacher preparation program.
- Pass the Maryland licensure assessments.
- Complete a background check.
It’s important to note this is just one example of a path to a teaching certification in Maryland. For more detailed information, visit the Maryland State Department of Education website.
How do I maintain my Maryland teaching certification?
Once you have an Initial Professional License in Maryland, you can choose to either renew that license every 5 years or advance to a Professional License or Advanced Professional License.
Advancement can come through earning effective ratings, a National Board Certificate, a master’s degree, or post-baccalaureate credit, to name a few.
For more information or other license types in Maryland, visit the Maryland State Department of Education website.
How long does it take to become a certified teacher in Maryland?
The timeline to become a certified teacher in Maryland can vary depending on several factors, including your educational background, the specific certification pathway you choose, and the time it takes to complete the required exams and training programs.
If you already have a bachelor’s degree in an area other than education, Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program can be completed in as little as 9 months.
How much do Maryland teachers make?
Maryland teacher salaries depend on multiple factors, including experience, education, subject area, grade level, and school district.
The average starting salary for a Maryland teacher is $51,548, according to the National Education Association.
That’s No. 5 in the nation.
The average overall salary for a Maryland teacher is $79,420, No. 8 in the U.S.
It’s worth noting these salaries typically reflect around 10 months of work, as teachers have summers off as well as some time off during the school year.
Those who pursue a master’s in education (M.Ed.) can often make more money as well.
How much money can I make starting out as a Maryland teacher?
The average starting salary for a Maryland teacher is $51,548 according to the National Education Association. That’s the fifth-highest rate in the nation.
Starting salaries for Maryland teachers vary depending on the school district, education level, teaching experience, subject area, and grade level.
How can I learn more about becoming a certified teacher in Maryland?
The Maryland State Department of Education is a great resource to learn more about teacher certification and teaching and education in general in Maryland.
You can also reach out to Moreland University at admissions@moreland.edu or 844-283-2246. We’d be happy to answer your questions about teacher certification or our 9-month teacher preparation program.