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Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL)

General Information

Subject Matter Test Requirements

The chart below provides some general information on subject matter test requirements. Additional requirements, such as passing the Communication and Literacy Skills test, may need to be met for a particular license. In order to receive full and accurate information on the license requirements you need to meet for a particular license, including which tests to take, please submit a license application to the Licensure Office at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. If you are enrolled in a Massachusetts educator preparation program, please contact the licensure officer at your college/ university or other preparatory organization for program completion requirements. Please note that license requirements are subject to change.
For further general information regarding:

  • which test(s) to take for a PreK-12, Vocational Technical, or Adult Basic Education license, as well as other licensing requirements, please go to www.doe.mass.edu/educators/e_license.html; then select the appropriate license category for the license you wish to pursue;
  • test content, please refer to the Test Objectives in the relevant Test Information Booklets at www.doe.mass.edu/mtel/faq/tprep_lst.html.
Teacher LicenseLevelSubject Matter TestTest Code
Adult Basic Education (ABE)N/AAdult Basic Education (first administration 11/20/04)55
Biology5-8, 8-12Biology13
Business5-12Business19
Chemistry5-8, 8-12Chemistry12
DanceAllDance 46
Early ChildhoodPreK-2Early Childhood + Foundations of Reading02 + 90
Earth Science5-8, 8-12Earth Science14
Elementary 1-6General Curriculum + Foundations of Reading03 + 90
English5-8, 8-12English 07
English as a Second Language (formerly English Language Learners)PreK-6, 5-12English as a Second Language54
Transitional Bilingual Learning endorsement (only available for holders of an ELL license)PreK-6, 5-12Exam in the relevant foreign language 
Foreign Language



A Competency Review is required for languages where a test is not offered.		PreK-6,5-12Chinese (Mandarin)29
French26
German27
Italian30
Portuguese32
Russian31
Spanish 28
General Science1-6Competency Review. General Science (10) will also meet this requirement.-
5-8General Science10
Health/Family and Consumer SciencesAllHealth Education 21
History 1-6Competency Review. History (06) will also meet this requirement.-
5-8, 8-12History06
Home Economics License no longer issued 
Instructional TechnologyAllCompetency ReviewN/A
Latin & Classical Humanities5-12Latin and Classical Humanities15
LibraryAllCompetency ReviewN/A
Mathematics1-6Elementary Mathematics. Middle School Mathematics (47) OR Mathematics (09) will also meet this requirement.53
5-8Middle School Mathematics, OR Mathematics. 47 or 09
8-12Mathematics09
Middle School: Humanities(English/History)5-8Middle School Humanities. The English (07) + History (06) test will also meet this requirement.50
Middle School: Mathematics/Science5-8Middle School Mathematics/Science. Middle School Mathematics (47) + General Science (10) OR Mathematics (09) + General Science (10) will also meet this requirement.51
Music: Vocal/Instrumental/GeneralAllMusic16
Physical EducationPreK-8, 5-12Physical Education22
Physics5-8, 8-12Physics11
Political Science/Political Philosophy5-8, 8-12Political Science/Political Philosophy 48
Social Studies License no longer issued. 
SpeechAllSpeech44
Teacher of Students with Moderate DisabilitiesPreK-8General Curriculum + Foundations of Reading. In addition, a Competency Review is required for a Preliminary license.03 + 90
5-12General Curriculum + Foundations of Reading, OR one of the following MTEL subject matter tests at the 5-8 or 8-12 grade level: English, History, Mathematics (47 or 09 only), science (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, General Science, Physics), or Political Science/Political Philosophy + Foundations of Reading In addition, a Competency Review is required.03 + 90 OR subject matter test + 90
Teacher of Students with Severe DisabilitiesAllGeneral Curriculum. In addition, a Competency Review is required.03
Teacher of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing:American Sign Language/Total Communication orOral/Aural Levels AllASL/Total Communication: General Curriculum + test of ASL approved by the Department (to be identified) + EITHER Foundations of Reading, OR ESE approved test of teaching of reading to deaf and hard of hearing students (to be identified). In addition, a Competency Review is required.
Oral/Aural Levels: All of the above EXCEPT FOR ASL test 		03 + 90 OR03 + other Tests
Teacher of the Visually ImpairedAllGeneral Curriculum + Foundations of Reading. In addition, a Competency Review is required.03 + 90
Technology/ Engineering5-12Technology/Engineering (formerly Technology Education)33
TheaterAllTheater45
Visual ArtPreK-8, 5-12Visual Art17
 
Specialist Teacher LicenseLevelSubject Matter TestTestcode
Academically AdvancedPreK-8Academically Advanced.52
Reading SpecialistAllReading Specialist08
Speech, Language, and Hearing DisordersAllSubject matter test not requiredN/A
Transitional Bilingual Education License no longer issued.
(See English Language Learner)		 
 
Administrator LicenseLevelSubject Matter Test
(See Communication & Literacy Skills Test Requirements)		Test Code
Superintendent/Asst. SuperintendentAllSubject matter test not requiredN/A
School Principal/Asst. School PrincipalPreK-65-89-12Subject matter test not requiredN/A
Supervisor/DirectorBased on Pre- requisite LicenseSubject matter test not requiredN/A
Special Education AdministratorAllSubject matter test not requiredN/A
School Business AdministratorAllSubject matter test not requiredN/A
 
Professional Support Personnel LicenseLevelSubject Matter Test
(See Communication & Literacy Skills Test Requirements)		Test Code
School Guidance CounselorPreK-85-12Subject matter test not requiredN/A
School NurseAllSubject matter test not requiredN/A
School PsychologistAllSubject matter test not requiredN/A
School Social Worker/School Adjustment CounselorAllSubject matter test not requiredN/A


last updated: November 24, 2009
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