Maryland Initial Teaching Certification:

Follow the steps below and apply for a Maryland Initial Teacher Certification or the

If you wish to become a teacher before acquiring your Initial Teacher Certification, find out how to qualify for an Alternative Teacher Certification Program or complete a Maryland Transcript Analysis.
  • Maryland Intial Teacher Certification
  • The following are the requirements and steps toward receiving your Maryland initial teacher certification:
    • Step 1:
      You must complete a teacher education program from an accredited university.


    • Step 2:
      Pass the Praxis I and II Teacher Examinations. These are the competency exams for Maryland's Initial Educators.

      Request more information from the ETS Website.

    • Step 3:
      Your application packet should contain the following contents.
      • Maryland Teacher Competency Exam scores.
      • Official Transcripts of all your completed college credits.
      • A cover letter with you name, mailing address, social security number and the area of certification you are applying for.

    • Send materials to this address:
      Maryland State Department of Education
      Certification Branch
      200 W. Baltimore Street
      Baltimore, Maryland 21201

      Or request more information by contacting a representative at the Maryland State Department of Education at (410) 767-0412.

    • Step 4:
      Sit Back and Relax!

  • Maryland Alternative Teacher Certification Options

  • There are two options for Alternative Teacher Certification in Maryland.

    Through an Alternative Teacher Certification Program, OR,

    Through a Transcript Analysis

  • Maryland Alternative Teacher Programs:

    • Check Maryland's local school systems to see if they offer approved Resident Teacher Programs.
    • The Resident Teacher Certification will be valid for 1 year.
    • During this one year, you will need to complete 45 clock hours of study for secondary resident teachers or 135 clock hours for elementary resident teachers.
    • You will receive teacher mentoring from an experienced Maryland Teacher.

    Request information from the following individuals about Maryland's Resident Teacher Program:
Baltimore City Public Schools
200 North Central Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 396-7383
Teach For America
1000 Lancaster Streetnue
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 539-5777
Prince George's Public School's
14201 School Lane
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
(301) 952-6037
Howard County Public Schools
10910 Route 108
Elliott City, MD 21042
(410) 313-6783
Frederick County Public Schools
Hayward Road
Frederick, MD 21702
(301) 644-5092

  • Maryland's Transcript Analysis:
  • Submit the following:
    • A photocopy of your Praxis I and Praxis II scores (Praxis II scores are not requiredf for the initial evaluation.
    • Official Transcripts of all college coursework completed.
    • A cover letter with you name, mailing address, social security number and the area of certification you are applying for.

    Send materials to this address:
    Maryland State Department of Education
    Certification Branch
    200 W. Baltimore Street
    Baltimore, Maryland 21201

    Or request more information by contacting a representative at the Maryland State Department of Education at (410) 767-0412.

Learn about the requirements of another state by clicking on one of the state certification links to your left.

Request information from schools by clicking on the links or school logos below.




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