MSDE Certification Requirements
The Maryland State Department of Education requires all individuals employed as teachers, administrators or specialists in Maryland public schools to obtain certification.
Licensure to teach in Maryland at the secondary school level (grades 7– 12) schools can be achieved by satisfying the steps below.
Please note that you should:
- Check the MSDE official website for updates to the scores listed below (including Praxis I).
- Check the MSDE Praxis Subject Assessment (Praxis II) for scores and other requirements.
- Check the Praxis website for more information on the Praxis Tests.
A. Obtain a minimum qualifying score on the Basic Skills Assessment (if needed)
Teacher Candidates applying for certification in all academic content areas must demonstrate mastery of basic reading, writing, and math skills. Those teacher candidates who submit a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 on their most recently earned degree are not required to submit a basic skills assessment. Candidates who do not have an overall GPA of 3.0, must present one of the assessments listed below.
- Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT): combined score for critical reading and
mathematics – 1180 - American College Testing (ACT): composite score – 24
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE): combined score for verbal and quantitative – 297
- Praxis exam
Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Applicants must meet the minimum qualifying score in each of the three skills test areas (Effective 9/1/2014).
| Computer Format Code | Praxis: Core Academic Skills for Educators | Minimum Qualifying Score |
|---|---|---|
| 5712 | Reading | 156 |
| 5722 | Writing | 162 |
| 5732 | Mathematics | 150 |
B. Obtain a minimum qualifying score for the content section of the Praxis II.
| Paper Format Code | Computer Format Code | Praxis II: Licensure Area | Minimum Qualifying Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0235 | 5235 | Biology: Content Knowledge | 150 |
| 0245 | 5245 | Chemistry – calculator prohibited |
153 |
| 0571 | 5571 | Earth/Space Science – calculator prohibited calculator provided |
152 |
| 5165 |
Mathematics
- on-screen graphing calculator provided; Effective 9/1/2022
Accepted upon release in 2021
|
159 | |
| 5161 |
Mathematics
- on-screen graphing calculator provided; Accepted until 8/30/2023 if taken prior to 9/1/2022
|
160 | |
|
|
|||
| 0265 | 5265 | Physics – calculator prohibited |
143 |
C. Complete a Maryland Approved Program [ex: Towson UTeach program] or
an approved out-of-state program.
D. Applying to MSDE for Certification