How to Obtain an Academic PreK-12 License

For an overview of the licensure process to include how to apply and obtain a Massachusetts educator license, please refer to our helpful guide titled; Licensure 101: How to Obtain a Massachusetts Educator License .

• Academic PreK-12 Licenses are offered in the following categories: Teacher, Teacher Specialist, Administrator and Professional Support Personnel. General requirements for available license types (Temporary, Provisional, Initial, and Professional) can be found on the License Types and Validity page.

• Educator Preparation: One of the requirements for obtaining an Initial Teaching or Teaching Specialist License is the completion of an approved educator preparation program. This requirement can be met in a number of settings. These settings include the completion of a program from a specified College, University, or Alternative/Practice-Based Licensure Program, or through the performance review program PRPIL.

• Military Spouse Licensure and Expedited Reviews for Military Personnel: Veterans, or current service members, may request an expedited review of their application for a Massachusetts educator license or endorsement. A military spouse who holds a valid teaching certificate from another state comparable to one sought in Massachusetts, may qualify for a Military Spouse license.

• Out-of-state applicants seeking their first license in the State of Massachusetts could qualify for one of three (3) types of Academic PreK-12 educator licenses: Temporary, Provisional, or Initial.

• SEI Endorsement: To qualify for a first Initial license in Massachusetts as a; core academic teacher, principal/assistant principal, or supervisor/director, an educator must hold a Sheltered English Immersion endorsement.

Last Updated: July 25, 2023