Montgomery County Public Schools

Human Resources and Development → Educator Certification Information → New Educators

Certification Information for New Educators

Certification News

URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT: The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) released The Educator Application and Certification Hub (TEACH) in April! TEACH replaced the former Educator Information System which was disabled effective April 20, 2022.    

• ALL existing certificate holders, including all MCPS certificated educators, MUST complete a one-time registration by visiting TEACH at 
  https://certificationhub.msde.maryland.gov once the system is released. See the TEACH Registration Guide. 
• MCPS educators will continue to work directly with the MCPS Certification Unit regarding any changes to their Maryland certificates. The MCPS Certification Unit will provide guidance as we all learn how to best leverage the new TEACH system. See the MCPS TEACH Application Overview. 
•  MSDE will be providing technical support for educators needing assistance during the registration process. Should you need assistance, please email certinfo.msde@maryland.gov.  
• All Maryland educators will have access to an online Dashboard where they may apply for certification, make payments, download their certificate, access various online services, and update their contact information. 

WELCOME TO MCPS!  We hope you will take a moment to check out our certification website.  It contains a wealth of information related to your certification needs, salary advancement, local requirements and much, much more. Please contact a member of the Certification Unit  with any and all questions about your Maryland Educator Certificate, local MCPS contingencies, salary advancement, course applicability, and equivalent credit applicability. NOTE: Information given by any other office or MCPS employee may not pertain to your specific needs or circumstances. 

 Please be sure that you have reviewed and completed any required instructions under the Getting Started section below.

Sometime during the school year, if applicable, you will receive an Outlook email with certification information specific to you from the Certification Unit.  The notification will contain your specific certification status and any needs, requirements, contingencies and/or outstanding documentation that you might have.  Make sure you RETAIN this important certification information in your personal files and contact our office with any questions.  Always read any notification or email that you receive from the Certification Unit and respond accordingly.  Have a great year with MCPS!    
 

GETTING STARTED -

First Steps for Maryland Educator Certification, How to Sign MSDE Application and Frequently Asked Questions

Under MSDE's new The Educator Application and Certification Hub (TEACH) platform, you 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.

AD Supplemental Pay (PDF)
for only Athletic Directors who hold a NATIONAL License/Certificate. 

National Board Certification

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

More NBPTS Web Links

Certification home page