Loading...
Loading...
How to become a certified teacher in Maryland. Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution required. Primary exam: Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators. Government fees: $435–$545. Substitute requirements: 60 college credit hours (minimum set by local school systems; some require a bachelor's degree). Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Teacher / Substitute Teacher · Maryland
Everything you need to become a certified teacher or substitute teacher in Maryland. Education, exams, fees, and application steps — verified against Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) - Division of Educator Certification and Program Approval.
Last verified: 2026-03-21
Most information on this page has been verified.
88% of data points are verified against official sources. 3 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Degree Required
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
Primary Exam
Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators
Total Gov Fees
$435–$545
Initial Cert
5 years
| Minimum Education | Bachelor's degree |
| Degree Required | Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution |
| Teacher Prep Program | Required |
| Student Teaching | Required (100 hours) |
| Background Check | Required |
| Fingerprinting | Required |
| GPA Requirement | 2.75 overall or 3.0 in the major |
| Citizenship | U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the U.S. |
basic skills
Passing score: Reading: 156, Writing: 162, Mathematics: 150
Basic skills assessment. May be waived with qualifying SAT (combined 1100+) or ACT (22+) scores.
content knowledge
Passing score: Varies by subject area (Maryland sets its own cut scores)
Subject-specific content knowledge exam required for each certification area.
Issued to beginning teachers who have completed an approved preparation program and passed required Praxis exams. Valid for 5 years. The teacher must complete induction and professional development to advance.
The SPC II is issued after renewal of the initial certificate with continuing education. The APC requires a master's degree or 36 graduate credits and significant teaching experience. Both are valid for 5 years and renewable.
Issued to individuals who have completed all requirements except employment in a Maryland school. Valid for 5 years and convertible to an SPC upon employment.
Minimum Education
60 college credit hours (minimum set by local school systems; some require a bachelor's degree)
Certificate Required
No separate certificate
Background Check
Required
Validity
Per local school system / school year
Maryland does not issue a state-level substitute teaching certificate. Substitute teacher hiring and requirements are determined by each of the 24 local school systems (23 counties plus Baltimore City). Most systems require at least 60 college credit hours, though some require a bachelor's degree. All substitutes must complete a criminal background check and fingerprinting. Individuals holding a valid Maryland teaching certificate may substitute without additional requirements.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application FeeCertificate application processing fee | $50 |
| Fingerprint FeeMaryland State Police and FBI fingerprint processing | $55 |
| Exam Fees (Total)Includes Praxis Core ($270 for 3 subtests) and Praxis Subject Assessment ($60–$170). Varies by subject area. | $330–$440 |
| Initial Certificate | $50 |
| Renewal FeeCertificate renewal fee | $50 |
| Total Government FeesIncludes application, fingerprinting, and exam fees. Actual total depends on specific exams required. | $435–$545 |
Graduate from a Maryland-approved or state-approved teacher preparation program at an accredited institution.
Pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills and the Praxis Subject Assessment for your certification area.
Fee: $330–$440
Submit fingerprints for Maryland State Police and FBI criminal background checks.
Fee: $55
Submit the certification application through the MSDE's online Educator Information System with official transcripts, test scores, and institutional verification.
Fee: $50
Upon approval, receive the Professional Eligibility Certificate (PEC) if not yet employed in Maryland, or the Standard Professional Certificate I (SPC I) upon employment. The SPC I is valid for 5 years.
The PEC is issued to candidates who have met all requirements but are not yet employed by a Maryland local school system.
Maryland offers the Resident Teacher Certificate (RTC) as the primary alternative certification pathway. Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree with a 2.75 GPA, pass the Praxis content exam, and be employed by a Maryland school system. They complete a state-approved alternative preparation program while teaching under a mentor. The program typically takes 2 years. Urban Teachers operates a well-known residency program in Baltimore.
Available Programs:
CE Required
Yes
Hours per Cycle
6
Renewal Cycle
5 years
Maryland requires 6 semester hours of approved credit for renewal of the SPC every 5 years. Credits must be in the teacher's certification area or professional education. To advance to the Advanced Professional Certificate (APC), teachers must earn a master's degree or accumulate 36 graduate credits beyond the bachelor's degree. Continuing professional development activities approved by the local school system may also fulfill some requirements.
Reciprocity Type
Case-by-case
Interstate Agreement
NASDTEC Interstate Agreement
Maryland evaluates out-of-state certificates on a case-by-case basis. Applicants with a valid out-of-state certificate may receive a Maryland SPC or PEC if they meet comparable requirements.
Additional requirements: Out-of-state applicants must submit official transcripts, verification of licensure, pass required Praxis exams (if not already passed with Maryland cut scores), and complete a Maryland background check. Maryland may issue a Resident Teacher Certificate to out-of-state candidates who need to complete additional requirements.
Unique to Maryland: Maryland's Professional Eligibility Certificate (PEC) is a unique feature that provides a holding certificate for individuals who have completed all certification requirements but have not yet secured employment in a Maryland school. This differentiates Maryland from most states, which only issue certificates upon employment. Maryland's 24 local school systems (23 counties plus Baltimore City) each set their own substitute teacher requirements, creating significant variation across the state.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Maryland.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#11 of 51
Cost
#32 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education (SOC 25-2021)
Entry Level
$59,950
25th percentile
Median
$74,720
+20% vs. national avg ($62,340)Experienced
$95,730
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
32,330 employed in this state
Note: BLS category covers elementary school teachers only. Secondary, special education, and other teaching specializations have separate SOC codes with different wage data.
Source: BLS OEWS – Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
0%
Below AverageNew Jobs
-500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
103,200
per year (avg.)
1.4M currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Source: MSDE Educator Certification
Estimated total: 216–234 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: MSDE Educator Certification
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: MSDE Educator Certification
Study guides for Praxis Core and subject-specific teacher exams.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Maryland requires completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program to earn your teaching certificate. Explore approved programs and alternative certification routes.
We may earn a commission if you enroll through links on our site. This does not affect our recommendations or the price you pay.