Code of Massachusetts Regulations
603 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
Title 603 CMR 4.00 - Vocational Technical Education
Section 4.07 - Types of Vocational Technical Teacher Licenses, Requirements for Licensure, and Licenses Issued

Universal Citation: 603 MA Code of Regs 603.4

Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024

(1) Types.

(a) Preliminary;

(b) Professional.

(2) Requirements for the Preliminary Vocational Technical Teacher License.

(a) Evidence of sound moral character.

(b) Education:
1. Candidates for the following licenses must document an associate degree or higher degree related to the subject matter and skills they will teach:
a. Dental Assisting;

b. Design and Visual Communications;

c. Drafting;

d. Electronics;

e. Hospitality Management;

f. Programming and Web Development;

g. Information Support Services and Networking;

h. Medical Assisting;

i. Medical Laboratory Technology;

j. Business Technology;

k. Radio and Television Broadcasting;

l. Telecommunications - Fiber Optics;

m. Criminal Justice; and

n. Robotics and Automation Technology.

2. Candidates for the following licenses must document a bachelor's degree or higher degree related to the subject matter and skills they will teach:
a. Animal Science;

b. Biotechnology;

c. Early Education and Care;

d. Engineering Technology;

e. Environmental Science and Technology;

f. Health Assisting;

g. Horticulture;

h. Marketing;

i. Surgical Technology; and

j. Practical Nursing (LPN).

3. All other vocational technical teacher license candidates must document a high school diploma or the equivalent.

(c) Massachusetts and/or federal government or industry issued licenses or certifications required by industry or government to work in the technical area and by the Department to teach the vocational technical subject matter and skills as set forth in Department guidelines.

(d) Achieving passing scores on the written and performance tests in the vocational technical subject matter and skills the candidate will teach.

(e) Achieving a passing score on either the Vocational Technical Literacy Skills Test or the Communication and Literacy Skills Test.

(f) Employment Experience. All vocational technical teacher license candidates must document employment experience directly related to the subject matter and skills they will teach.
1. Candidates for a vocational technical teacher license for which a bachelor's degree is required must document a minimum of three years of full-time employment experience, provided however, that a master's degree related to the subject matter and skills to be taught may substitute for one of the three years of required employment experience.

2. Candidates for a vocational technical teacher license for which an associate degree is required must document a minimum of four years of full-time employment experience, provided however, that a bachelor's degree related to the subject matter and skills to be taught may substitute for one of the four years of required employment experience and a master's degree related to the subject matter and skills to be taught may substitute for one of the four years of required employment experience.

3. Vocational technical teacher candidates who are required to possess a minimum of a high school diploma must document a minimum of five years of full-time employment experience, provided however, that an associate degree related to the subject matter and skills to be taught may substitute for one of the five years of employment experience and a bachelor's degree related to the subject matter and skills to be taught may substitute for two of the five years of required employment experience.

4. Actual time spent on cooperative education employment by a graduate of a vocational technical education program may be counted toward meeting a portion of the employment experience requirement.

(3) Sheltered English Immersion Endorsement for Preliminary Vocational Technical Teacher License. Starting on July 1, 2021, a career vocational technical teacher who is assigned to provide sheltered English instruction to an English learner shall either hold a Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Teacher Endorsement or earn such endorsement within one year from the date of the assignment pursuant to 603 CMR 14.08(3). 603 CMR 4.07(3) shall not apply to career vocational technical teachers who are required to obtain the SEI Endorsement in accordance with 603 CMR 14.08(2).

(4) Requirements for the Professional Vocational Technical Teacher License.

(a) Evidence of sound moral character.

(b) Possession of a Preliminary Vocational Technical Teacher License pursuant to 603 CMR 4.00.

(c) Massachusetts and/or federal government or industry issued licenses or certifications required by industry or government to work in the technical program area and by the Department to teach the vocational technical subject matter and skills as set forth in Department guidelines.

(d) Completion of a one-year induction program with a trained mentor.

(e) The completion of at least three full years of employment in the role of licensed vocational technical teacher in the program area of the license.

(f) Starting July 1, 2021, possession of an SEI Teacher Endorsement.

(g) The completion of 36 college degree credits or the equivalent as follows:
1. 18 college degree credits in professional education courses approved by the Department. These courses shall address the Professional Standards for Vocational Technical Teachers set forth in 603 CMR 4.10.

2. One of the following:
a. Possession of a bachelor's degree; or

b. 18 college credits in the following areas:
i. Three college degree credits in English.

ii. Three college degree credits in mathematics.

iii. Three college degree credits in science.

iv. Nine college degree credits in coursework, which may include courses related to the vocational technical education subject, additional English, mathematics, or science courses.

3. Educators who possess a higher degree than the one required to obtain the Preliminary license as outlined in 603 CMR 4.07(2)(b) may have the degree accepted in lieu of the college degree credits in 603 CMR 4.07(4)(g)2.b.i. through iv.

4. College degree credits earned through the completion of a Sheltered English Immersion course may be counted towards the college degree credits required by 603 CMR 4.07(4)(g)2.

5. In lieu of the requirements of 603 CMR 4.07(4)(g)1., educators seeking a Professional license for a vocational license field that is operated only at the postsecondary level must complete six credits as outlined in Department guidance.

(5) Vocational Technical Teacher Licenses Issued. Licenses listed under the following occupational clusters may be issued.

(a) Agriculture and Natural Resources Cluster.
1. Agricultural Mechanics;

2. Animal Science;

3. Environmental Science and Technology; and

4. Horticulture.

(b) Arts and Communication Services Cluster.
1. Design and Visual Communications;

2. Graphic Communications; and

3. Radio and Television Broadcasting.

(c) Business and Consumer Services Cluster.
1. Cosmetology;

2. Fashion Technology;

3. Marketing; and

4. Business Technology.

(d) Construction Cluster.
1. Building and Property Maintenance;

2. Cabinetmaking;

3. Carpentry;

4. Electricity;

5. Heating - Air Conditioning - Ventilation - Refrigeration;

6. Mason and Tile Setting;

7. Painting and Design Technologies;

8. Plumbing;

9. Sheet Metalworking; and

10. Construction Craft Laborer.

(e) Manufacturing, Engineering and Technological Cluster.
1. Biotechnology;

2. Drafting;

3. Electronics;

4. Engineering Technology;

5. Advanced Manufacturing Technology;

6. Major Appliance Installation/Repairing;

7. Metal Fabrication and Joining Technologies;

8. Stationary Engineering;

9. Telecommunications - Fiber Optics;

10. Welding; and

11. Robotics and Automation Technology.

(f) Health Services Cluster.
1. Dental Assisting;

2. Health Assisting;

3. Medical Assisting;

4. Medical Laboratory Technology;

5. Surgical Technology; and

6. Practical Nursing (LPN).

(g) Hospitality and Tourism Cluster.
1. Baking;

2. Culinary Arts; and

3. Hospitality Management.

(h) Education Cluster. Early Education and Care

(i) Information Technology Services Cluster.
1. Programming and Web Development; and

2. Information Support Services and Networking.

(j) Transportation Cluster.
1. Automotive Collision Repair and Refinishing;

2. Automotive Technology;

3. Aviation Maintenance Technology;

4. Diesel Technology;

5. Marine Service Technology; and

6. Power Equipment Technology.

(k) Legal and Protective Services. Criminal Justice

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Massachusetts may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.