Massachusetts Education Licensure

OBTAINING A TEACHER'S LICENSE IN MASSACHUSETTS

(This web page was created in 2008. Be aware that things are subject to change.)

I entered the public school system (Lenox Memorial Middle and High School, LMMHS) in Massachusetts with a Doctor of Arts in Mathematics and over 25 years of teaching experience. My prior teaching was at the university level and at a private day/boarding high school in Massachusetts.

I've documented the steps taken to obtain my license to teach in the public school system. Hopefully, this will make life easier for those of you traveling the same route!

Primary website for licensure in Massachusetts: Massachusetts Department of Education—Educator Licensure
check this flowchart to determine which Academic (PreK–12) license is right for you

Obtaining a Preliminary License:

click on “Apply Online” (upper left)
there is a $100 application fee (they do NOT accept personal checks)
both LMMHS and the Department of Education will require official transcripts: try here or contact your school directly

have transcripts mailed to:

(for the Educator License)
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Department of Education
Office of Educator Licensure
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148
(include your social security number) (for LMMHS employment verification)
Henry C. Maimin, Director of Business Services
6 Walker Street
Lenox, MA 01240
(email Hank at hankm@lenoxps.org
to let him know transcripts are forthcoming)

You will need to pass the Communication and Literacy Skills Test (01) (Reading and Writing subtests)
and the Mathematics Subject Test (09):

visit MTEL (Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure) to register online
You can take the Reading Subtest and Writing Subtest on different days, to allow yourself the maximum time (4 hours) for each part of the test.
As per the online instructions when you register:
if you want your scores reported to LMMHS (Henry Maimin, address above), then you will need to send a letter of request to:
Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure
National Evaluation Systems
PO Box 660
Amherst, MA 01004-9013

I have compiled my own online preparation for the Communication and Literacy Skills Test,
including online practice for grammatical definitions and rules.