Code of Massachusetts Regulations
605 CMR - BOARD OF LIBRARY COMMISSIONERS
Title 605 CMR 3.00 - Certification Of Librarians
Section 3.04 - Requirements for Professional Certificate

(1) The professional certificate of librarianship certifies the holder as a professional librarian "qualified by education, training or study and experience to practice library work in a position requiring knowledge of books and of library aims and techniques equivalent to that attained through graduation from a library school accredited by the American Library Association." (M.G.L. c. 78, § 24)

(2) The Board shall issue a certificate certifying as a professional librarian any person who requests certification upon a form prescribed by the Board and who fulfills one or both of the following requirements:

(3) The transcript of the college and library school record of a candidate for professional certification need not be presented, provided a certified statement of graduation with a degree is submitted by the proper authority.

(4) A certificate of completion of courses in a library school program is not to be regarded as the equivalent of graduation with a degree.

(5) Graduation with a degree from a library school accredited by the American Library Association at the time of graduation qualifies an applicant for a certificate of professional librarianship without examination, even though said library school may not be included in the current listing of American Library Association accredited library schools.

(6) Any graduate with a degree from a library school accredited by the American Library Association at the time of application for a certificate of professional librarianship qualifies without examination.

(7) Correspondence courses will not be accepted as a basis for professional certification.

(8) There will be no provisional certification of professional librarians. Library employees who cannot meet the requirements for professional certification have the alternative of applying for a sub-professional certificate.