Preliminary License/Career Changer

[The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Logo]

Narrator:  “Do you want to shape a child’s future by becoming an educator?  Think it’s a difficult endeavor?  It’s not.  Let us tell you the simple steps to take that will help you succeed in your career goal.” 



[Black board with heading “Changing Careers to Become an Educator”]

Man walks up to DESE Customer Service Counter

Male Customer #1:  
“I was wondering if you could provide me with some assistance.  I’ve been interested in teaching however; I’ve never had any training for it. I do have a Bachelor’s Degree and I have worked in private industry for most of my career. Could I still become a teacher?”

Staff #1: Minerva DESE Customer Service Representative 
“I think it’s wonderful you want to become an educator.  What you should do is apply for the specific field and grade level of what you would like to teach.  There’s a test for educator licensure and it’s called the MTEL.  Which is an acronym for the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure.  There’s a content test and a communication and literacy skills test.  After applying, you should submit your official college transcript to begin the review process.

Male Customer #1: 
“How much does it cost to have a teaching license?”

Staff #2:  Sharlene DESE Customer Service Representative 
“There is a one time application fee of $100 for your first license, each additional application requires a $25 fee.”

Male Customer #1:  
“I understand there are various stages of teacher licensure, what license should I be applying for?  And could you explain the stages to me?”

Staff #2:  Sharlene DESE Customer Service Representative 
“Many of the licenses at the preliminary stage could be yours.”  
“However, some of the licenses such as Elementary, Early Childhood, Moderate Disabilities and Severe Disabilities have some additional course requirements and an additional test.”

Male Customer #1:  
“If I was issued a preliminary license how long is it valid for?”


Staff #2:  Sharlene DESE Customer Service Representative 
“All of our Preliminary licenses are valid for five years of employment in a Massachusetts public school. During that time you should look at the Licensure Regulations-and determine how can advance your Preliminary license to the Initial stage.”  

Male Customer #1: 
 “And for my final question, if I have any further questions regarding licensure how can I contact the Department?”

Staff #2:  Sharlene DESE Customer Service Representative  
For additional information please visit our website at www.doe.mass.edu/educators or you can call the Customer Service Center at 781-338-6600, Monday through Friday, 9:00-4:45 to speak with a Representative.

The Department of Elementary & Secondary Education also has a walk-in customer service counter that is open Monday through Friday 8:45 – 4:45 where you may drop off additional materials or speak with a Representative.”  


Black board screen show bullet item list for “Changing Careers to Become an Educator”.

•	Bachelor’s Degree
•	Passed the Communication & Literacy MTEL test
•	Passed the subject matter MTEL test (www.doe.mass.edu/mtel)
•	Applied for my DOE License and paid all my fees.(www.doe.mass.edu/licensure)



New screen shows DESE Director for Educator Licensure behind counter making closing remarks.

Closing :  Brian Devine, Director for Educator Licensure

“Hi, I’m Brian Devine from the Licensure Office at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.  I’d just like to give a big thank you the Media Department at the Medford High School for their assistance on this special project to assist candidates on how to get licensed.”