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Maryland State Department of Education test requirements

Will I need another teacher test in Maryland?

Requirements can differ by certificate, subject, grade span and prior score.

Open Educator Licensure
Official state guidance State makes the decision Checked 2026-08-01

Testing and assessment treatment

Requirement

Applicants must provide an accepted performance measure, while specified early-childhood, elementary, special-education and ESOL fields also require an approved reading-instruction assessment.

Which out-of-state path this covers

Maryland has an initial-licensure pathway for teachers with a bachelor's degree and a valid out-of-state professional license in the area sought, plus Maryland's applicable reading and performance evidence.

What can change this answer

The requested field determines whether a reading-instruction assessment is required, and the performance requirement can be met through an accepted portfolio assessment, evaluations, National Board certification or a qualifying Maryland evaluation.

Documents you may need

Core evidence includes the degree, valid out-of-state professional license, requested-area alignment, reading score when applicable and an accepted portfolio, evaluation or National Board record.

Where the testing answer can change

  • Early childhood, elementary, generic special education and ESOL applicants have an additional reading-instruction assessment requirement
  • The out-of-state professional license must be valid and in the area sought
  • An employing Maryland school may issue a two-year nonrenewable Temporary Professional License when only Maryland assessments remain
  • MSDE retains the final pathway and field determination

Register and send scores only for the exact exam code named by the state agency.

Official sources

Check again by 2026-11-01