Code of Maryland Regulations
Title 13A - STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Subtitle 12 - EDUCATOR LICENSURE
Chapter 13A.12.02 - Teachers
Section 13A.12.02.03 - Pathways to Teacher Licensure
Universal Citation: MD Code Reg 13A.12.02.03
Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 19, September 20, 2024
A. In-State Pathways to Initial Teacher Licenses.
(1) Maryland Approved Program. Teacher candidates who complete a Maryland approved educator preparation program as set forth in COMAR 13A.07.06 shall meet the following requirements:
(a) Bachelor's degree or higher;
(b) Completion of an approved program as set forth in COMAR 13A.07.06;
(c) Passing scores as established by the State Superintendent of Schools on a content licensure test approved by the State Board of Education;
(d) Passing scores as established by the State Superintendent of Schools on a reading instruction licensure test approved by the State Board of Education, or attestation of proficiency through observation completed by a Department-recognized assessor using a Department-provided observation tool; and
(e) Beginning on July 1, 2025, passing scores as established by the State Superintendent of Schools on a portfolio-based performance assessment approved by the State Board of Education.
(2) In-District Training Program. Teacher candidates who are hired as a teacher of record in a Maryland local school district may complete a Department-approved in-district training program. Candidates seeking licensure under the in-district pathway shall meet the following requirements:
(a) Possession of a conditional license in the subject area and at the grade level of the license sought.
(b) Demonstration of content knowledge by completing the following:
(i) Bachelor's degree or higher related to the field of the license sought;
(ii) Bachelor's degree or higher in any field and a minimum of 24 semester hours of content coursework related to the license sought, which may be completed in-person, virtually, synchronously, and/or asynchronously; or
(iii) Passing scores as established by the State Superintendent of Schools on a content licensure test approved by the State Board of Education.
(c) Completion of a Maryland induction program under COMAR 13A.07.01 that includes:
(i) On-site supervision and coaching;
(ii) Ongoing instructional mentoring during the induction; and
(iii) An effective, or comparable, rating on a summative evaluation of teaching performance at the end of the induction period.
(d) Completion of a Department-approved sequence of pedagogical coursework, which may be completed in-person, virtually, synchronously, and/or asynchronously, as follows:
(i) The teaching candidate shall ensure that this sequence of coursework is aligned to the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium standards; and
(ii) The district and coursework provider shall agree to a memorandum of understanding.
(e) Attestation from the district training program supervisor, or designee, school principal, and coursework provider, that the candidate is prepared for licensure.
(f) Special Provisions. Candidates seeking licensure in the areas of elementary education, early childhood education, special education, and English to Speakers of Other Languages, shall complete additional requirements, as follows:
(i) Candidates who fulfill §A(2)(b)(i) or (ii) of this regulation shall present 6 semester hours of coursework in each of the content areas of English, mathematics, science, and social studies; or
(ii) Candidates who fulfill §A(2)(b)(iii) of this regulation shall submit passing scores on an approved elementary assessment that includes subtests in the content areas of English, mathematics, science, and social studies, each of which equals 6 semester hours of credit in that content area; and
(iii) Passing score on a reading instruction test, approved by the State Board of Education, or provide attestation of proficiency through observation completed by a Department-recognized assessor using a Department-provided observation tool.
(3) Experienced Nonpublic School Teacher. Experienced teacher candidates working in Maryland nonpublic schools approved under COMAR 13A.09.09 shall meet the following requirements:
(a) Bachelor's degree or higher related to the field of the license sought;
(b) Verification of 5 years of effective teaching experience in the field and at the grade level of the license sought at a Maryland nonpublic school approved under COMAR 13A.09.09;
(c) Beginning on July 1, 2025, passing scores as established by the State Superintendent of Schools on a portfolio-based performance assessment approved by the State Board of Education; and
(d) Special Provision. Candidates seeking licensure in the areas of elementary education, early childhood education, special education, and English to Speakers of Other Languages, shall submit of a passing score on a reading instruction test, approved by the State Board of Education, or provide attestation of proficiency through observation completed by a Department-recognized assessor using a Department-provided observation tool.
B. Out-of-State Pathways to Initial Teacher License.
(1) Out-of-State Teacher Preparation Program. Teacher candidates who complete a teacher preparation program in another state or foreign country shall meet the following requirements:
(a) Bachelor's degree or higher, or a U.S. equivalent of a foreign degree;
(b) Complete a teacher preparation program, to include a clinical internship, approved to lead to licensure in another state or foreign country, in the license area being sought;
(c) Beginning on July 1, 2025, a passing score as established by the State Superintendent of Schools on a portfolio-based performance assessment approved by the State Board of Education; and
(d) Special Provision. Candidates seeking licensure in the areas of elementary education, early childhood education, special education, and English to Speakers of Other Languages, shall submit a passing score on a reading instruction test, approved by the State Board of Education, or attestation of proficiency through observation completed by a Department-recognized assessor using a Department-provided observation tool.
(2) Out-of-State License. Teacher candidates who hold a valid professional license/certificate from another state or foreign country shall meet the following requirements:
(a) Bachelor's degree or higher, or a U.S. equivalent for a foreign degree;
(b) Valid, professional license or certificate from another state or foreign country in the license area being sought;
(c) Beginning on July 1, 2025, passing scores as established by the State Superintendent of Schools on a portfolio-based performance assessment approved by the State Board of Education; and
(d) Special Provision. Candidates seeking licensure in the areas of elementary education, early childhood education, special education, and English to Speakers of Other Languages, shall submit a passing score on a reading instruction test, approved by the State Board of Education, or provide an attestation of proficiency through observation completed by a Department-recognized assessor using a Department-provided observation tool.
(3) National Board Certificate. Teacher candidates who hold a National Board Certificate shall meet the following requirements:
(a) Bachelor's degree or higher; and
(b) National Board Certificate issued from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, for which a comparable Maryland license exists.
C. Special Provisions.
(1) The Department shall evaluate credits from institutions in other countries for comparability of degree and coursework by an independent agency authorized to analyze foreign credentials and designated by the Department. The evaluation is final.
(2) A National Board Certificate may be submitted instead of a portfolio-based assessment.
(3) An effective, or comparable, rating on a year-end evaluation may be submitted instead of a portfolio-based assessment if the candidate meets the following criteria:
(a) Meets the requirements for initial licensure under §A(3) or B(1)-(2) of this regulation; and
(b) Is employed by a Maryland local school system, State-operated school, or approved nonpublic school approved under COMAR 13A.09.10.
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