Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Logo
Office of Educator Licensure

How to Obtain an Academic PreK-12 License

  • Academic PreK-12 Licenses are offered in the following categories: Teacher, Teacher Specialist, Administrator and Professional Support Personnel. General requirements for available license types (Temporary, Provisional, Initial, and Professional) can be found on the License Types and Validity page.

  • Educator Preparation: One of the requirements for obtaining an Initial Teaching or Teaching Specialist License is the completion of an approved educator preparation program. This requirement can be met in a number of settings. These settings include the completion of a program from a specified College, University, or Alternative/Practice-Based Licensure Program, or through the performance review program PRPIL.

  • Military Spouse Licensure and Expedited Reviews for Military Personnel: Veterans, or current service members, may request an expedited review of their application for a Massachusetts educator license or endorsement. A military spouse who holds a valid teaching certificate from another state comparable to one sought in Massachusetts, may qualify for a Military Spouse license.

  • Out-of-state applicants seeking their first license in the State of Massachusetts could qualify for one of three (3) types of Academic PreK-12 educator licenses: Temporary, Provisional, or Initial.

  • SEI Endorsement: To qualify for a first Initial license in Massachusetts as a; core academic teacher, principal/assistant principal, or supervisor/director, an educator must hold a Sheltered English Immersion endorsement.

Last Updated: September 27, 2024

Link to ELAR

Contact Us

Office of Educator Licensure
135 Santilli Highway
Everett, MA 02149
Fax: 781-338-3391

Licensure Call Center: 781-338-6600
Hours: Monday–Friday 9am–12pm & 2pm–5pm.

Walk-in Welcome Center Service Counter
Hours: Monday–Friday
8:45am – 4:45pm
Located on the 3rd floor

Please be sure to bring a form of photo identification that includes your name (cannot be a photo copy) with you when visiting ESE.

 
Contact Us

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149

Voice: (781) 338-3000
TTY: (800) 439-2370

Directions

Disclaimer: A reference in this website to any specific commercial products, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public and does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.