Before you search
How to find the right Massachusetts record
- 01Enter both the educator's first and last name, or search by license number instead.
- 02Leave prefixes and suffixes out of the name fields, as DESE instructs.
- 03Open the result and review every license rather than relying on the educator name alone.
What the public record can answer
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
- 01
The current status of Massachusetts educator licenses
- 02
Public license information for teachers, administrators and professional support personnel
- 03
A DESE-controlled record rather than a third-party certification directory
Record timing
A public lookup result and a pending ELAR application are different records. Use DESE's current processing guidance and the private account for an application that has not produced an issued license.
If the search comes up empty
Check these before you stop
- •Check the educator's full name and remove any prefix or suffix.
- •Use the license number when it is available to avoid a name mismatch.
- •If you are the educator, use the private ELAR account to review an application or your complete licensure record.
Issued certificate vs. pending application
The public lookup shows Massachusetts license status. Applicants use the private Educator Licensure and Recruitment system, or ELAR, to apply and check their own application status.
Understand processing timelinesHelp with the result you found
Massachusetts
Official sources
Checked 2026-08-02