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Educator Effectiveness

Subject Matter Test Requirements

The chart that follows provides general information on the MTEL tests that are currently offered to meet the subject matter test requirement for each license. Additional requirements for a license, such as passing the Communication and Literacy Skills test or an approved alternative as part of the regulatory pilot, may need to be met. The Department has approved a limited number of subject matter knowledge alternative assessments for specific content areas as part of the regulatory pilot. Please know that candidates must meet specific requirements to be eligible for each of the available subject matter knowledge alternative assessments. Eligibility requirements are provided in the descriptions of each of the alternative assessments. For more information, please see the approved subject matter knowledge alternative assessments.

  • For a complete and accurate evaluation of the license requirements you need to meet, submit a license application to the Office of Educator Licensure.
  • For general license requirements, refer to Licensure Help.
  • License candidates enrolled in a Massachusetts educator preparation program or an alternative/practice-based program, should contact the Department liaison at their organization for program completion requirements.

Teacher LicenseLevelSubject Matter TestTest Code
Adult Basic Education (ABE)N/AAdult Basic Education55
Biology8–12Biology66
Business5–12Business19
Chemistry8–12Chemistry67
DanceAllDance46
Digital Literacy/Computer Science 1–6 Competency Review (Digital Literacy and Computer Science (71) will also meet this requirement.) -
5–12 Digital Literacy and Computer Science 71
Early Childhood PreK–2 Early Childhood + Foundations of Reading (Reading (62) will also meet this requirement.) 72 + 190
Earth and Space Science8–12Earth and Space Science74
Elementary 1–6

General Curriculum (Subtest 1: Language Arts and History/Social Science + Subtest 2: Mathematics, Science, and Technology/Engineering.) + Foundations of Reading (Reading (62) will also meet this requirement.)

Approved Substitutions for the General Curriculum Subtests

78 + 190
English5–12English61
English as a Second LanguagePreK–6, 5–12English as a Second Language54
Transitional Bilingual Learning endorsement (only available for holders of an ELL license)PreK–6, 5–12Exam in the relevant foreign language-

World Language

A Competency Review is required for languages where a test is not offered.

PreK–6, 5–12 Chinese (Mandarin) 29
French26
German27
Italian30
Portuguese32
Russian31
Spanish28
General Science 1–6 Competency Review (General Science (64) will also meet this requirement.) -
5–8 General Science 64
Health/Family and Consumer SciencesAllHealth/Family and Consumer Sciences21
History/Social Science 1–6 Competency Review (History/Social Science (73)) will also meet this requirement.) -
5–12 History/Social Science 73
Latin and Classical Humanities5–12Latin and Classical Humanities15
LibraryAllCompetency Review-
Mathematics 1–6 Elementary Mathematics (Middle School Mathematics (65) or Mathematics (63) will also meet this requirement.) 68
5–8 Middle School Mathematics or Mathematics (63) 65
8–12 Mathematics 63
Middle School: Humanities (English/History) 5–8 Middle School Humanities. (English (61) + History/Social Science (73) will also meet this requirement.) 76
Middle School: Mathematics/Science 5–8 Middle School Mathematics/Science (Middle School Mathematics (65) + General Science (64) or Mathematics (63) + General Science (64) will also meet this requirement.) 77
Music: Vocal/Instrumental/GeneralAllMusic16
Physical EducationPreK–8, 5–12Physical Education22
Physics8–12Physics69
SpeechAllSpeech44
Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities PreK–2 Early Childhood + Foundations of Reading (Reading (62) will also meet this requirement.) In addition, a Competency Review is required for a Provisional license. 72 + 190
PreK–8 General Curriculum (Subtest 1: Language Arts and History/Social Science + Subtest 2: Mathematics, Science, and Technology/Engineering.) + Foundations of Reading (Reading (62) will also meet this requirement.) In addition, a Competency Review is required for a Provisional license. 78 + 190
5–12 General Curriculum (Subtest 1: Language Arts and History/Social Science + Subtest 2: Mathematics, Science, and Technology/Engineering.) or one of the following MTEL subject matter tests at the 5–8 or 8–12 grade level: English (61), History/Social Science (73), Middle School Humanities (English/History) (76), Middle School Math/Science (77), Mathematics (65 and 63 only), science (Biology (66), Chemistry (67), Earth and Space Science (74), General Science (64), Physics(69)).) + Foundations of Reading. (Reading (62) will also meet this requirement.). In addition, a Competency Review is required. 78 + 190 or subject matter test + 190
Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities PreK–2 Early Childhood. In addition, a Competency Review is required. 72
All General Curriculum (Subtest 1: Language Arts and History/Social Science + Subtest 2: Mathematics, Science, and Technology/Engineering.) In addition, a Competency Review is required. 78
Teacher of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing: American Sign Language/Total Communication All General Curriculum (Subtest 1: Language Arts and History/Social Science + Subtest 2: Mathematics, Science, and Technology/Engineering.) Also, Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI) has been approved by DESE to meet this requirement. Please contact the MA Commission for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing (617-740-1690) for registration/scheduling information. 78 + SLPI
Teacher of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing: Oral/Aural All General Curriculum (Subtest 1: Language Arts and History/Social Science + Subtest 2: Mathematics, Science, and Technology/Engineering.)+ Foundations of Reading (Reading (62) will also meet this requirement.). 78 + 190
Teacher of the Visually Impaired All General Curriculum (Subtest 1: Language Arts and History/Social Science + Subtest 2: Mathematics, Science, and Technology/Engineering.) + Foundations of Reading.(Reading (62) will also meet this requirement). In addition, a Competency Review is required. 78 + 190
Technology/Engineering5–12Technology/Engineering70
TheaterAllTheater45
Visual ArtPreK–8, 5–12Visual Art17

Specialist Teacher LicenseLevelSubject Matter TestTest Code
Academically AdvancedPreK–8Academically Advanced52
Instructional TechnologyAllSubject matter test not required
ReadingAllReading Specialist62
Speech, Language, and Hearing DisordersAllSubject matter test not requiredN/A

Administrator LicenseLevelSubject Matter TestTest Code
Superintendent/Asst. SuperintendentAllSubject matter test not requiredN/A
School Principal/Asst. School PrincipalPreK–8, 5–12Please see information about the PAL AssessmentN/A
Supervisor/DirectorBased on Pre- requisite LicenseSubject matter test not requiredN/A
Special Education AdministratorAllSubject matter test not requiredN/A
School Business AdministratorAllSubject matter test not requiredN/A

Professional Support Personnel LicenseLevelSubject Matter TestTest Code
School CounselorPreK–8, 5–12Subject matter test not requiredN/A
School NurseAllSubject matter test not requiredN/A
School PsychologistAllSubject matter test not requiredN/A
School Social Worker/School Adjustment CounselorAllSubject matter test not requiredN/A

Last Updated: December 12, 2023

 
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