Human Resources → Educator Certification Information → MSDE Certificate → Advanced Professional Certificate (APC)
Advanced Professional Certificate (APC)
How Long Is This Certificate Valid?
Valid 5 Years
Description
Issued to an applicant who has completed a master's degree, or the equivalent , including 6 semester hours of acceptable credit , and completed 3 years of satisfactory school related experience.
Prior to the expiration of the APC, you must:
- Complete a minimum of 6 semester hours of acceptable credit (PDF) or equivalent activities credit (PDF)
- Complete and verify 3 years of full-time satisfactory professional school-related experience
- Complete the APC Certificate Renewal Plan (PDF)
Certificate Renewal Plan
A certificate renewal plan is required by MSDE in order to obtain the APC and subsequent APC renewals, unless the certificate holder qualifies for senior status. The APC renewal plan must indicate what six acceptable credits or the equivalent the professional plans to complete in order to obtain the subsequent APC.
The types of acceptable equivalent activities and the requirements are listed on MCPS Form 440-37, Five-year Certificate Renewal Plan for the Renewal of the Advanced Professional Certificate (APC). If using equivalent activities for certificate renewal, please download MCPS Form 440-34, Verification of Equivalent Activities for Advanced Professional Certificate Renewal Purposes.
Submission Deadlines for receipt of all official transcripts or verification of renewal credits:
- If your certificate expires on December 31st, the Certification Unit must receive all required official documentation by January 1st of the following year.
- If your certificate expires on June 30th, the Certification Unit must receive all required official documentation by July 1st of that same year.
Certificate Processing Fee
A fee is charged by MSDE for issuance of a certificate and for each renewal. Effective January 1, 2004, this non-refundable fee is collected through automatic payroll deduction. Currently, a fee is not charged for adding new endorsements.
** FAILURE TO MEET MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS **
PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO MEET CERTIFICATION RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS
Professionals who fail to meet standard certificate renewal requirements are issued a Class II Conditional Certificate valid for two years. They also will receive a provisional contract and will lose tenure. Experience completed under a Class II certificate will not apply toward salary advancement and the anniversary month will be changed by the number of months needed to complete renewal requirements. Failure to meet the remaining credits by the expiration of the Conditional Certificate will result in termination of employment.
CONDITIONAL CERTIFICATE
Please note that COMAR 13A.12.01.11A(3) states that “the local school system may request a conditional certificate…for an employee who fails to meet the renewal requirements of the professional certificate.” In addition, COMAR 13A.12.01.11C states that “an applicant may hold only one Conditional Teacher Certificate…”; therefore, once you reinstate your professional certificate, then failure to complete the requirements to keep your professional certificate in good standing each subsequent renewal cycle will result in termination of employment.
CLASS II STATUS
Certificates are rated Class II because of failure to meet renewal requirements. In each case, the professional whose certificate is rated Class II will be notified of the change.All other certificates are rated Class I.
How to Submit Documentation
Find out how to submit coursework and other documentation
MSDE Certificate General Information