Starting point
Does Maryland accept out-of-state teaching licenses?
An out-of-state license can open a path to Maryland certification, but it does not transfer automatically. The state decides which certificate, endorsements, tests or additional requirements apply.
Your exact route can still depend on your license type, preparation, experience, subjects, grade levels and testing history.
How teacher license reciprocity works · Look up your current license
Keep your place
Your Maryland application checklist
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What can change your path
- • 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
What the state says
3 official sources
These facts come from official sources. The state agency still makes the final licensing decision.
Professional-license route
The out-of-state professional-license pathway requires a bachelor's degree or higher and a valid professional license from another state or country in the Maryland area requested.
Assessment alternatives
Applicants must provide an accepted performance measure, while specified early-childhood, elementary, special-education and ESOL fields also require an approved reading-instruction assessment.
Core evidence
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.
Published processing target
MSDE states that completed applications are processed within eight weeks of submission; incomplete or fact-specific reviews can take longer.
State certification help
3 guides
Why your details matter
State websites describe the possible routes. The right one for you can depend on your license, preparation, experience, subjects, grades, tests, National Board status and compact eligibility. TeachPassport uses those details to work out your path and handle the steps it can do for you.
One thing to know: 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.
Plan the whole move
Questions to answer before you apply
The application is only one part of the move. Check the costs, timing and records that can hold up an otherwise complete file.
Common license moves to Maryland
1 routes
Official sources
State agency material