Levels of Massachusetts Teaching Licenses

Levels of Teaching Licenses

We created this page to inform those interested in becoming teachers in Massachusetts about the four teaching licenses currently approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and each of their requirements.

If you do not currently hold an educator’s license and would like to become a teacher, your next step is to identify and apply for an approved master of education degree program that includes a pathway to Initial Licensure. Cambridge College programs that offer this pathway are outlined under the Initial License section below.

This information is accurate as of March 2022, but is subject to change.

An Initial License is often the first license teachers earn. To earn an Initial License in Massachusetts, you will need to complete an approved educator preparation program in Massachusetts. Approved programs require a teaching practicum and a Sheltered English Endorsement.

To get an Initial License, you need:

To have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
To pass the Massachusetts Tests for Educator License (MTELs)
To complete an approved program of study for an Initial License
To obtain Sheltered English Immersion Endorsement (included in your Cambridge College program of study) for core academic teaching, principal/assistant principal, or supervisor/director licenses

You may also earn an Initial License if you have a Provisional License, are employed as a teacher, and expect to complete an approved educator preparation program within 5 years (including passing the appropriate MTELs).

An Initial License is valid for 5 years while you are the main teacher in a Massachusetts classroom. You may take time off from teaching without it counting toward your 5 years.

You are encouraged to begin coursework toward your Professional License as soon as possible while teaching with an Initial License.

Extending Your Initial License

If your Initial License is expiring and you are not prepared to earn a Professional License, you will need to apply to extend your Initial License. An Initial License may be renewed only once for another 5 years.

Cambridge College Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master of Education Programs

Undergraduate students at Cambridge College have the option to earn both a bachelor’s and a master's degree within a reduced time frame (5 years) and at a reduced cost. We offer accelerated pathways that result in Initial Licensure in the following areas:

Early Childhood Teacher
Mathematics (5-8)
English as a Second Language
Skills-Based Health/Social Emotional Learning
General Science (1-6 or 5-8)

Cambridge College Graduate Education Programs

We offer Master of Education degrees that lead to Initial Licensure in the following areas:

Early Childhood Teacher (PreK-2)
Elementary Teacher (1-6)
English as a Second Language (PreK-6 or 5-12)
General Science (1-6 or 5-8)
Mathematics (5-8 or 8-12)
Skills-Based Health/Social Emotional Learning
Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8 or 5-12)
Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8 or 5-12) & Applied Behavior Analysis

After teaching with an Initial License for 5 years as the main teacher in a classroom, you will need to earn a Professional License. The Professional License you apply for needs to be for the same level and type as your Initial License.

To get a Professional License, you need:

To have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
To hold an Initial License in the same field as the Professional License sought
To have been employed under the Initial License for at least 3 full years, and have completed a one-year mentor induction program and 50 hours of mentored experience beyond the first induction year
To complete one of the following:
- An approved licensure program for the Professional License sought
- A program leading to eligibility for master teacher status, such as those sponsored by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and others accepted by the Commissioner
- For those who have completed any master's or higher degree or another advanced graduate program in an accredited college or university, at least 12 credits of graduate-level courses in subject matter knowledge or pedagogy based on the subject matter knowledge of the Professional license sought; these may include credits earned prior to application for the license

A Professional License is valid for 5 calendar years and is renewable for every 5 years thereafter. You are encouraged to begin coursework toward your Professional License as soon as you earn your Initial License.

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