Competency Review of Subject Matter Knowledge: "Coverage Of" Requirements

The Competency Review process is the mechanism for determining whether a candidate has met the subject matter knowledge (SMK) requirements for a license in a field for which there is no subject matter knowledge test.

Subject Matter Knowledge Requirements

Generally, the Department refers to satisfying a subject matter knowledge competency review requirement for a license as "Coverage of" the required subject matter knowledge. There are currently nine pathways available to satisfy the Competency Review Requirements of the licenses noted in the Competency Review Overview and a combination of these options may be used to verify completion of the required coverage.

Refer to the Competency Review Overview for an explanation of each pathway by which a competency review requirement(s) may be addressed and verified.

What licenses are impacted?

This Competency Review Overview and license specific subject matter knowledge addenda and templates are intended to assist applicants seeking to obtain a license noted below at the Provisional type, or as an additional license at the Initial or Professional type.

• Digital Literacy/Computer Science (1–6)
• Foreign Language/World Language (PreK–6) — no MTEL
• Foreign Language/World Language (5–12) — no MTEL
• Foreign Language/World Language American Sign Language (PreK–6); (5–12)
• General Science (1–6)
• History/Social Science (1–6)
• Library (All)
• Teacher of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing [American Sign Language/Total Communication] (All)
• Teacher of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing [Oral/Aural] (All)
• Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK–2); (PreK–8); (5–12)
• Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities (PreK–2); (All)
• Teacher of the Visually Impaired (All)

License Specific SMK Addenda and Letter Templates for Documenting Completion of Coursework, Seminars & Workshops, and Peer Mentored Employment:

• Digital Literacy /Computer Science 1–6
• Foreign Language/World Language American Sign Language (PreK–6; 5–12)
• Foreign Language/World Language (PreK–6) — No MTEL
• Foreign Language/World Language (5–12) — No MTEL
• General Science (1–6)
• History/Social Science (1–6)
• Library (All Levels)
• Teacher of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing [American Sign Language/Total Communication] (All)
• Teacher of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing [Oral/Aural] (All)
• Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK–2; PreK–8; and 5–12)
• Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities (PreK–2; and All Levels)
• Teacher of the Visually Impaired (All)

Last Updated: June 23, 2026