Office of Educator Licensure

ABE Types of Licenses

Provisional License:

The entry level Provisional License is valid for five years and is non-renewable. It is issued to a person who holds a bachelor's or master's degree and has passed the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL).

Application Criteria

  1. Submission of a completed Application for Adult Basic Education License.
  2. Submission of an official transcript verifying a bachelor's or a master's degree.
  3. Passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills Test.
  4. Passing score on the ABE subject matter test

Professional License:

The Professional License is valid for five years and is renewable for additional five-year terms. It is issued to a person who holds a bachelor's or master's degree, has passed the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) and a performance assessment. There are four routes through which prospective and experienced ABE teachers may pursue a Professional license. To determine the route for which you are eligible, refer to the ABE Licensure Requirements .

ABE teacher licensure is currently voluntary in Massachusetts. While the state does not require ABE teachers to hold a license, individual agencies may choose to require their teachers to be licensed.

Please contact the Department at licenseabe@doe.mass.edu with any questions.

Last Updated: September 30, 2018

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