Massachusetts Initial Licensure for Teachers and School Psychologists

Step One: Create an ELAR account with the Massachusetts Department of Education (DOE).

Step Two: Read the requirements for the Initial License that you are seeking and send in the appropriate official transcript(s). Tufts University is an approved program.

Step Three: Fill out an application for Massachusetts Certification. You can pay the $100 fee by credit card, money order or certified check.

Step Four: Pass the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure. All teachers and school psychologists must pass the Communication and Literacy Skills exam; all teachers must also pass the subject area test in their fields. You can pay the fee of $90 for the Communication and Literacy Skills and $90 for the subject area test by credit card, check or money order. Please see the MTEL website for test preparation materials including practice tests in Communication and Literacy Skills and Foundations in Reading.

• 2009-2010 MTEL Registration Schedule (pdf)

Licensure in other states
Contact the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to find out the steps for applying for licensure.

• Certification Requirements and other helpful information (provided by Teacher Certification Map)
• State-by-State Policies on Reciprocity
• Certification Requirements for 50 States (provided by University of Kentucky)
• Information on licensure in California is available at the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing website.
• Become a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP). Visit the National Association for School Psychologists (NASP) website for information.

If you need help, please contact Linda Beardsley.