Chapter 01. General Provisions
Regulation .01 Purpose.LinkCopy Citation
Licensure is established to offer assurance to the citizens of this State that professional public educational staff possess the minimum essential knowledge and skills needed to achieve outcomes for public education declared by the State Board of Education, and maintain competent practice through career long-engagement with their content area, research, best practice, and expert opinion.
Regulation .02 Definitions.LinkCopy Citation
A.
In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
B.
Terms Defined.
(1)
“Accredited nonpublic school” means a nonpublic school accredited by a national organization or regional organization.
(2)
“Approved nonpublic school” means a nonpublic school approved by a state department of education.
(3)
“Bilingual Education” means the teaching of academic content in two languages: a native and second language.
(4)
“Certificate” is the term for an educator credential issued by the Department. The term certificate has been replaced by the word license.
(5)
“Class” means a period allocated for lessons during a school day.
(6)
“Conditional license” means a non-renewable license issued while the applicant pursues a pathway to professional licensure.
(7)
“Content coursework” means coursework completed in academic disciplines as differentiated from pedagogical coursework.
(8)
“Continuing education units (CEUs)” means credit issued from an accredited International Association for Continuing Education and Training provider or approved by another Maryland State agency for purposes of licensure.
(9)
“Continuing professional development (CPD) credit” means credit earned through continuing professional development experiences approved by the Department.
(10)
“Crime against children” means any crime defined in Criminal Law Article, §3-601, Annotated Code of Maryland.
(11)
“Crime of violence” means any crime as defined in Criminal Law Article, §14-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.
(12)
“Culturally Responsive Teaching” means pedagogy that recognizes the importance of including students’ cultural references in all aspects of learning.
(13)
“Department” means the Maryland State Department of Education.
(14)
“Educator” means an individual who holds a license in an area of teaching, Professional and Technical Education, specialized areas for fine arts, specialist, administrator or supervisor.
(15)
“Effective performance” means professional, full-time experience as a specialist, administrator, or supervisor in a public school system, approved nonpublic school, or accredited nonpublic school for which the annual overall evaluation rating is at least effective or equivalent.
(16)
“Effective teaching experience” means professional, full-time experience as a teacher in a public school, approved nonpublic school, or accredited nonpublic school for which the annual overall evaluation rating is at least effective or equivalent.
(17)
“Endorsement” means a credential issued on a license under COMAR 13A.12.01.04C to indicate satisfactory knowledge and skills to perform services in the area(s) specified.
(18)
“English as a Second Language (ESOL)” means the practice and theory of learning and teaching English to students of which English is not the native language.
(19)
“English Language Learners (ELL)” means students who come from non-English speaking homes and who are learning English.
(20)
“Full-time teaching experience” means a period of not less than 9 consecutive months as the responsible teacher in a classroom under an appointment requiring service for 50 percent or more of the school week or the equivalent.
(21)
“Higher degree” means a degree earned that is higher than a bachelor’s degree such as a Ph.D., Ed.D., Ed.S., master’s degree, J.D., M.D., D.D.M., D.D.S., or L.L.M.
(22)
“Historic Professional Certificate” means a previously issued certificate or area of certification that no longer exists.
(23)
“Historic Professional License” means a license or area of licensure that no longer exists.
(24)
“Individual professional development plan (IPDP)” means a plan developed in partnership with a supervisor, if employed, to provide appropriate and relevant professional learning.
(25)
“Initial license” means the first Maryland professional license issued to an educator.
(26)
“Internship” means a supervised period of clinical experience offered by an educator preparation program designed to allow pre-service teachers to practice and refine their teaching skills.
(27)
“Interstate Certification Compact (ICC)” means a legal agreement with other states to facilitate the certification of out-of-State teachers and other professional educational personnel as authorized by Education Article, Title 6, Subtitle 6, Annotated Code of Maryland, or as otherwise provided by law.
(28)
“License” means an educator credential issued by the Department, which allows the holder to practice the area(s) of licensure noted.
(29)
“Local school system (LSS)” means a Maryland public school system.
(30)
“Member state” means a state that participates in the Interstate Certification Compact (ICC).
(31)
“Micro-credential” means a digital form of certification indicating the demonstration of competency/mastery in a specific skill or set of skills.
(32)
“Montessori school” means a public school that uses Montessori instruction as its primary method of instruction, or is approved by the Department.
(33)
“Nonpublic school approved under COMAR 13A.09.09” means a school that is issued a Certificate of Approval by the State Board, excluding the federal government or any State, county, or municipal agency or division of these, to operate an educational program in a nonpublic kindergarten, elementary school, and secondary school.
(34)
“Nonpublic school approved under COMAR 13A.09.10” means:
(a)
An entity which is responsible for governing and operating a school that provides a Type I, Type II, Type III educational program in a facility licensed by a unit of State government to provide treatment of care, or both; or
(b)
Educational programs that provide special education to children in a nonpublic school in accordance with Education Article, §8-406, Annotated Code of Maryland.
(35)
“Occupational experience” means experience gained while employed performing in the career area to be taught.
(36)
“Pedagogy” means the method and practice of teaching.
(37)
“Professional and Technical Education” means areas of study which include skilled trades, applied sciences, modern technologies, and career preparation.
(38)
“Professional conference” means a workshop, institute, or seminar of 4 or more hours that contributes to ongoing, sustained, and high-quality professional development.
(39)
“Professional development activity” means an activity, approved by the Department, local school system, State Agency, Maryland-approved nonpublic school, or another state department of education, that improves the professional knowledge, competence, skill, or effectiveness of the license holder.
(40)
“Professional Development Point (PDP)” means a unit used to renew teacher licenses earned through completion of specific professionally aligned tasks and assignments.
(41)
“Professional education coursework” means coursework dealing with the knowledge and process of teaching to prepare to become a teacher, as differentiated from content coursework.
(42)
“Professional licensure” means holding a Temporary Professional, Initial Professional, Professional, or Advanced Professional License.
(43)
“Reinstatement” means restoration of an expired license.
(44)
“Renewal” means the extension of the validity period of an existing license.
(45)
“Required grade” means a grade of C or better, pass, or satisfactory.
(46)
“Resident Teacher License” means a license issued to a candidate enrolled in an alternative teacher preparation program.
(47)
“School” means a public school, an approved nonpublic school, or an accredited nonpublic school.
(48)
“Sheltered English instruction” means an instructional approach that engages English Language Learners (ELL) in developing grade-level content-area knowledge, academic skills, and increased English proficiency.
(49)
“Specialist” means an individual licensed under COMAR 13A.12.04.
(50)
“Teaching endorsement” means a teaching area added to a professional license of an educator who has met the qualifications of COMAR 13A.12.02.02B.
Regulation .03 Licensure Requirements of Education Personnel.LinkCopy Citation
A.
The regulations in this subtitle are established as licensure standards for personnel educating students in a Maryland local school system, a State-operated school, and a nonpublic school approved under COMAR 13A.09.10.
B.
A local school system, State-operated school, and nonpublic school approved under COMAR 13A.09.10 may establish additional requirements as a condition of employment.
C.
Personnel Subject to Licensure.
(1)
Teachers, specialists, administrators, and supervisors employed in a Maryland local school system, a State-operated school, and a nonpublic school approved under COMAR 13A.09.10 are subject to licensure.
(2)
Teachers. A teacher employed in an early childhood, elementary, pre-kindergarten—12 or secondary school program shall hold an appropriate license under COMAR 13A.12.02.
(3)
Professional and Technical Education/Specialized Areas for Fine Arts. A Professional and Technical Education teacher or Specialized Area of Fine Arts teacher employed in an early childhood, elementary, pre-kindergarten—12 or secondary school program shall hold an appropriate license under COMAR 13A.12.03.
(4)
Specialists. A specialist employed in an early childhood, elementary, pre-kindergarten—12 or secondary school program shall hold an appropriate license under COMAR 13A.12.04 or a license in certain areas as otherwise provided in State law.
(5)
Administrators and Supervisors. Administrators and supervisors who have direct contact with students, who have responsibility for curriculum development, or who have responsibility for supervision of instruction shall meet the requirements for a professional license under COMAR 13A.12.05.
Regulation .04 Issuance and Types of Licenses.LinkCopy Citation
A.
Application Procedure.
(1)
To obtain licensure in a specific area, an applicant, or local school system on behalf of the applicant, shall submit an application and documentation as required by the Department.
(2)
The Department or its designee shall evaluate the application and documentation and if the applicant satisfies the requirements, the Department shall issue the license.
(3)
An applicant shall present transcripts verified to the satisfaction of the Department.
(4)
An applicant shall present test scores to the Department in one of the following ways:
(a)
Directly from the testing company;
(b)
By notation on an official transcript;
(c)
By verification from a college or university;
(d)
By verification from a state department of education; or
(e)
With the applicant’s original score report or a copy of the score report verified to the satisfaction of the Department.
(5)
The Department shall maintain the file of an applicant for licensure who is not eligible for a license for 1 year from the date of the last correspondence, after which time the applicant may reapply.
(6)
It is the responsibility of the licensed individual to maintain the validity of the license and to provide the Department with current information including name, email address, mailing address, and phone number.
B.
Fee. The fee for the initial issuance and renewal of a license is provided in Education Article, §6-704(b), Annotated Code of Maryland, and the individual seeking issuance or renewal shall pay the Department by money order, certified check, cashier’s check, or electronic payment.
C.
Types of Educator Licenses.
(1)
Conditional License. The conditional license is a nonrenewable license valid for a period not to exceed 5 years issued only for licenses under COMAR 13A.12.02.02 and 13A.12.03.02.
(2)
Conditional Special Education License. The conditional special education license is a nonrenewable license valid for a period not to exceed 3 years issued only for licenses under COMAR 13A.12.02.02.
(3)
Resident Teacher License. The Resident Teacher license is valid for a period not to exceed 3 years issued only for licenses under COMAR 13A.12.02.02F.
(4)
Temporary Professional License. The Temporary Professional License is a nonrenewable license valid for a period not to exceed 2 years and issued only for licenses under COMAR 13A.12.02.02, 13A.12.03.02, and 13A.12.04.02.
(5)
Initial Professional License. The Initial Professional License is a renewable license valid for a period not to exceed 5 years.
(6)
Professional License. The Professional License is a renewable license valid for a period not to exceed 5 years.
(7)
Advanced Professional License. The Advanced Professional License is a renewable license valid for a period not to exceed 5 years.
(8)
Adjunct Teacher License. The Adjunct Teacher License is a renewable license valid for a period not to exceed 1 year issued only for licenses under COMAR 13A.12.02.02 and 13A.12.03.02.
(9)
Montessori Professional License.
(a)
The Montessori Professional License is valid for an indefinite period.
(b)
The Montessori Professional License may be issued to an individual who teaches students in a Montessori school and meets the eligibility criteria in 13A.12.02.02H.
(c)
An individual with a Montessori Professional License may not teach students in a public school that is not a Montessori school unless the individual meets the requirements relating to licensure of public school teachers.
D.
A historic Maryland license may not be issued as an initial license.
E.
Effective Dates of Licenses.
(1)
Issuance of a License. The Department shall issue a license to an applicant with the following effective dates:
(a)
If the license was issued from January 1 through June 30, the effective date of the license is January 1; and
(b)
If the license was issued from July 1 through December 31, the effective date of the license is July 1.
(2)
Multiple Licenses. Educators may hold multiple licenses.
(3)
Endorsements.
(a)
An individual who meets the qualification for initial licensure may add additional endorsements to the existing license.
(b)
The validity period for an endorsement is the same as the initial license.
(c)
The Department shall renew the endorsement when the initial license is renewed.
(4)
An educator who adds an additional license or endorsement to an existing license is not required to amend the Individualized Professional Development Plan or present additional renewal requirements during the current validity period.
(5)
An educator who meets the eligibility requirements to advance to the Professional License or Advanced Professional License under COMAR 13A.12.02.02, COMAR 13A.12.03.02, COMAR 13A.12.04.02, or COMAR 13A.12.05.02 shall retain all of the endorsements listed on the existing license.
F.
Deactivate a License or Teaching Endorsement.
(1)
An educator may request, in writing, to deactivate a license or teaching endorsement.
(2)
The educator shall meet the current regulatory requirements if the educator wishes to hold that license and/or teaching endorsement in the future.
(3)
An educator may not request the deactivation of a license to avoid disciplinary action.
G.
Licensure Plan.
(1)
A licensure plan may be issued to an applicant who does not meet the qualifications for a license.
(2)
A licensure plan is effective for a 5-year period.
(3)
If an applicant fails to satisfy the requirements for a professional license within the 5-year period, the applicant shall meet the requirements of the current applicable regulation.
Regulation .05 Military Reciprocity.LinkCopy Citation
A.
A servicemember or spouse of a servicemember with a professional educator license or certificate from another state may apply for a comparable Maryland license if the servicemember or spouse:
(1)
Has moved to reside in Maryland because of orders for military service;
(2)
Provides a copy of the military orders to the Department as part of a licensure application;
(3)
Has actively used the license or certificate during the 2 years immediately preceding the move; and
(4)
Remains in good standing with the licensing authority that issued the license or certificate and with every other licensing authority that issued an educator license or certificate to the service member or spouse.
B.
A servicemember or spouse who meets the criteria in §(1) of this regulation shall meet the renewal requirements for the Maryland license issued.
Regulation .06 Reinstatement of an Expired Professional License.LinkCopy Citation
A.
General.
(1)
An educator may not be employed under an expired license.
(2)
An educator who holds an expired Maryland Initial Professional, Professional, or Advanced Professional license in a teaching area may reinstate that license if the educator presents the professional development requirements under COMAR 13A.12.02.06.
(3)
An educator who holds an expired Maryland Initial Professional, Professional, or Advanced Professional license in an area of professional and technical education or specialized area of fine arts may reinstate that license if the educator presents the professional development requirements under COMAR 13A.12.03.05.
(4)
An educator who holds an expired Maryland Initial, Professional or Advanced Professional license in a specialist area may reinstate that license if the educator presents the professional development requirements under COMAR 13A.12.04.15.
(5)
An educator who holds an expired Maryland Initial, Professional or Advanced Professional license in an administrator area may reinstate that license if the educator presents the professional development requirements under COMAR 13A.12.05.15.
B.
Exemption. An educator holding an expired Maryland Initial Professional, Professional, or Advanced Professional license who presents a valid professional license issued by a member state, may reinstate the Maryland license.
C.
Historic Professional Certificate or License.
(1)
The Department shall issue an Initial Professional License to an educator who holds an expired Maryland Professional Eligibility Certificate or Standard Professional I Certificate and meets the requirements to reinstate a Maryland license under §A or B of this regulation.
(2)
The Department shall issue a Professional License to an educator who holds an expired Maryland Standard Professional II Certificate and meets the requirements to reinstate a Maryland license under §A or B of this regulation.
(3)
The Department shall issue an Advanced Professional License to an educator who holds an expired Maryland Advanced Professional Certificate and meets the requirements to reinstate a Maryland license under §§A or B of this regulation.
(4)
An educator who allows a license to expire that includes a historic endorsement area may not reinstate that area.
Regulation .07 Waiver of Licensure Requirements.LinkCopy Citation
A.
Waiver of Licensure Requirements. Except for educator licensure tests, the State Superintendent of Schools or designee may waive the specific requirements for a license in an individual case if it is determined, after thorough investigation, that the applicant’s preparation or experience, or both, are adequate to justify a waiver.
B.
Senior Educator Waiver. Renewal requirements for any professionally licensed employee of a local school system, State-operated school, or nonpublic school approved under COMAR 13A.09.10, may be waived if:
(1)
The professionally licensed employee is:
(a)
55 years old or older; or
(b)
Employed in public or approved nonpublic school service for at least 25 years; and
(2)
The request is recommended by the county superintendent, executive director, or chief officer of the legal authority having jurisdiction over the employee.
Chapter annotations
Authority: Education Article, §§2-205, 2-303(g), 6-127, 6-701—6-708, and 8-3A-03; Family Law Article, §10-119.3; Annotated Code of Maryland
History: Effective date:
History: For a history of certification requirements before January 1, 1989, see the Administrative History for COMAR 13A.07.01.
History: Regulations .01—.08, .10—.12, and .15 adopted effective January 1, 1989 (15:26 Md. R. 2985)
History: Regulation .06C amended effective September 2, 1991 (18:17 Md. R. 1921)
History: Regulation .08-1 adopted effective April 1, 1991 (18:1 Md. R. 30)
History: Regulations .09, .13, and .14 adopted effective April 3, 1989 (16:6 Md. R. 729)
History: Regulation .14F amended effective October 16, 1989 (16:20 Md. R. 2183)
History: Regulation .15 amended effective June 12, 1989 (16:11 Md. R. 1219)
History: Regulations .01—.15 repealed and new Regulations .01—.11 adopted effective August 15, 1994 (21:16 Md. R. 1388)
History: Regulation .02B amended effective September 23, 1996 (23:19 Md. R. 1376); July 27, 1998 (25:15 Md. R. 1192)
History: Regulation .05A amended effective November 6, 1995 (22:22 Md. R. 1670); September 7, 1998 (25:18 Md. R. 1435)
History: Regulation .05G amended effective September 23, 1996 (23:19 Md. R. 1376); September 7, 1998 (25:18 Md. R. 1435)
History: Regulation .05H amended effective September 7, 1998 (25:18 Md. R. 1435)
History: Regulation .08 amended effective September 7, 1998 (25:18 Md. R. 1435)
History: Regulation .09 amended effective September 7, 1998 (25:18 Md. R. 1435)
History: Regulations .01—.11 repealed and new Regulations .01—.14 adopted effective January 1, 2003 (29:22 Md. R. 1721)
History: Regulation .01 amended effective May 3, 2010 (37:9 Md. R. 673)
History: Regulation .02B amended effective May 3, 2010 (37:9 Md. R. 673)
History: Regulation .03A, B amended effective May 3, 2010 (37:9 Md. R. 673)
History: Regulation .03D amended effective August 27, 2007 (34:17 Md. R. 1509); March 10, 2008 (35:5 Md. R. 641); March 5, 2012 (39:4 Md. R. 337); July 3, 2017 (44:13 Md. R. 622)
History: Regulation .04 amended effective December 19, 2005 (32:25 Md. R. 1943); July 16, 2018 (45:14 Md. R. 697)
History: Regulation .04E amended effective October 4, 2010 (37:20 Md. R. 1395)
History: Regulation .04F amended effective May 3, 2010 (37:9 Md. R. 673)
History: Regulation .05A amended effective February 26, 2007 (34:4 Md. R. 401); July 30, 2007 (34:15 Md. R. 1349)
History: Regulation .05C amended effective January 15, 2007 (34:1 Md. R. 32)
History: Regulation .05D amended effective September 11, 2006 (33:18 Md. R. 1506); February 11,2019 (46:3 Md. R. 107)
History: Regulation .06D amended effective December 9, 2004 (31:24 Md. R. 1728); July 30, 2007 (34:15 Md. R. 1349)
History: Regulation .06E amended effective May 3, 2010 (37:9 Md. R. 673)
History: Regulation .07 repealed and new Regulation .07 adopted effective February 27, 2006 (33:4 Md. R. 352)
History: Regulation .07 amended effective May 4, 2009 (36:9 Md. R. 651)
History: Regulation .08A amended effective May 3, 2010 (37:9 Md. R. 673)
History: Regulation .08-1 adopted effective February 25, 2019 (46:4 Md. R. 191)
History: Regulation .09D amended effective May 3, 2010 (37:9 Md. R. 673)
History: Regulation .10A amended effective December 9, 2004 (31:24 Md. R. 1728)
History: Regulation .11A amended effective May 3, 2010 (37:9 Md. R. 673); October 4, 2010 (37:20 Md. R. 1395)
History: Regulation .11D amended effective February 27, 2006 (33:4 Md. R. 352)
History: Regulation .12A, B amended effective February 26, 2007 (34:4 Md. R. 401)
History: Regulation .13 amended effective July 21, 2003 (30:14 Md. R. 937); December 19, 2005 (32:25 Md. R. 1943); October 6, 2008 (35:20 Md. R. 1776)
History: Regulation .13B amended effective December 9, 2004 (31:24 Md. R. 1728)
History: Regulation .14C adopted as an emergency provision effective May 26,2020 (47:13 Md. R. 639); adopted permanently effective October 19, 2020 (47:21 Md. R. 904)
History: Regulations .01—.14 repealed under Subtitle 12 Certification Chapter 01 General Provisions and new Regulations .01—.06 adopted under Subtitle 12 Educator Licensure Chapter 01 General Provisions effective April 1, 2024 (51:5 Md R. 231)
History: Regulation .04E amended effective October 27, 2025 (52:25 Md. R. 1025)
History: Regulation .05 adopted effective March 3, 2025 (52:4 Md. R. 220)
History: Regulation .05 recodified to Regulation .06 effective March 3, 2025 (52:4 Md. R. 220)
History: Regulation .06 recodified to Regulation .07 effective March 3, 2025 (52:4 Md. R. 220)