Human Resources and Development → Educator Certification Information → New Educators

Certification Information for New Educators

CERTIFICATION NEWS

NEW -- COURSEWORK TRACKING GUIDE--See SALARY ADVANCEMENT

TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW MANY CREDITS YOU HAVE toward salary advancement or want to track your professional development courses?  We've provided a way for you to track your credits --
 VIEW and UTILIZE the salary advancement GUIDE to track applicable credits toward salary advancement.
 VIEW this Power Point presentation (PDF) about understanding salary advancement.

IMPORTANT CERTIFICATION REMINDERS

ALL MARYLAND EDUCATORS must register their educator account with "The Educator Application and Credential Hub" (TEACH), Maryland's portal for educator certification.  Please utilize our step-by-step guides when using TEACH!
 SEE the MCPS TEACH Registration Guide 
 SEE the MCPS TEACH Application Overview
SEE the MCPS TEACH Application-RENEWAL and Applying for Another License Guide
 IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CERTIFICATE HOLDER to know the current certification requirements and to complete the renewal requirements prior to the expiration of the professional certificate. 

NOTICE TO NEW MCPS EDUCATORS - WELCOME to MCPS!  This New MCPS Educators certification information page provides you with beginning certification information.  Now that you are an MCPS educator, MCPS will oversee everything related to your certification needs.  MCPS is MSDE for all educators (teachers, specialists and administrators) in those assignments.
  ALWAYS read notifications/emails you receive from the MCPS Certification Unit and respond in a timely fashion. 
  Continue reading the Getting Started information below and complete all steps as requested in a timely fashion.

GETTING STARTED - First Steps for Maryland Educator Certification and Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome as a new educator to MCPS!  To find out your next steps regarding the certification process, our timelines of when things happen and what is required of you, please REVIEW and COMPLETE ALL steps as requested in the following ACTION and INFORMATION for NEW to MCPS EDUCATORS document.  Be sure to do this in a timely fashion!

Under MSDE's new The Educator Application and Credential Hub (TEACH) platform, you also MUST first register on TEACH and then complete and submit an appropriate application, if applicable.  Please REVIEW the following information:

MCPS TEACH Application Overview – Please review and keep this for reference so you are aware of what requests can be made through TEACH and when they may be applicable. 

MCPS TEACH Application Guide-Initial Application – Only for educators hired in a permanent position that requires a MD Educator Certificate. Please do not complete this application until your effective start date. The MCPS Certification Unit works on reviewing all educators new to MCPS during the school year. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (PDF)
Check out our FAQ for new hires for answers to your questions.  

Requirements and Testing

Testing Requirements for New Educators: Praxis/ACTFL (PDF) 
MSDE Test Requirements for Beginning Teachers, Specialists & Administrators

Reading Coursework Requirements & Info
What are the MSDE reading requirements & where can I find the courses I need?

Salary Advancement and Supplemental Pay

Salary Advancement Information
How do I move to a new salary lane if I am a contracted MCPS professional employee on the MCEA salary schedule?

Supplemental Pay (PDF)
for Guidance Counselors, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, School Psychologists & Speech Pathologists who hold a NATIONAL License/Certificate.

National Board Certification

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Certification
Frequently asked questions and contact information.

Certification home page