Renew a Teaching License in MA
(not a Massachusetts teacher, click here to find your state)
How do I renew a teaching license in MA to be recertified?
Professional Learning Board is an approved DESE provider for MA online PDP courses.
Massachusetts recertification guidelines govern the process of license renewal. DESE requires that all public and highly recommends that private school educators seek approval of an Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP) to ensure that the professional development activities in the plan are consistent with their school and district goals. Teachers may use one plan to satisfy both license renewal and educator evaluation requirements in Massachusetts.
According to the state, ESE does NOT keep records of PDPs. It is the educator’s responsibility to keep records of PDPs and PD verification for 5 years from date applying to renew. All Professional Learning Board courses include a free PD Tracker.
Only PDPs earned after the previous expiration date are eligible. Activities older than five years from the date of application may not be counted.
1 semester credit of graduate course work = 22.5 PDPs.
What state requirements does a teacher in Massachusetts need to meet for relicensure?
Teachers applying to renew a license are required to complete at least 150 PDPs including:
- At least 15 PDPs related to SEI, English as a Second Language (ESL ELL), or Bilingual Education.
- At least 15 PDPs related to training in strategies for effective schooling for students with disabilities and instruction of students with diverse learning styles.
- At least 15 PDPs in the content area of the license.
- At least 15 PDPs in pedagogy.
A minimum of 10 PDPs must be earned in a topic to count the PDPs toward license renewal. Teachers may combine two 5 hour workshops in closely knit topic areas so that the minimum 10 hours of PD in the topic area is met.
What state requirements does a teacher in Massachusetts need to meet for each additional license?
Each additional license that an educator renews requires an additional 30 PDPs. Of the 30, at least 15 PDPs in content are required. The remaining 15 PDPs may be earned through either “elective” activities that address other educational issues and topics that improve student learning, additional content, or pedagogy.
Educators renewing a Primary area related to Special Education (Moderate Disabilities, Severe Disabilities, Visually Impaired, Speech, Language and Hearing Disorders, Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing), can use the 15 PDPs for Students with Disabilities to meet both the content requirement (minimum of 15 PDPs) of their Primary area and the 15 PDPs in Special Education.
Educators renewing an ESL/ELL license as the Primary area can use the 15 PDPs related to SEI/ESL to meet both the content requirement (minimum of 15 PDPs) of their Primary area and the 15 PDPs in SEI/ESL.
The renewal of an invalid additional area license requires 150 PDPs.
What state requirements does a teacher in MA need to renew an endorsement?
The Transition Specialist Endorsement is subject to renewal with 30 PDP’s in the content area and a valid prerequisite license.
The Autism Endorsement is subject to renewal with 30 PDP’s in the content area and a valid prerequisite license.
The Bilingual Education Endorsement is valid for five calendar years and may be renewed for successive five-year terms upon successful completion of 15 PDPs in content area. Individuals may also apply these 15 PDPs toward renewing a Primary license.
How do I get free PDPs for teachers in Massachusetts?
Get Online PD for Massachusetts Teachers
Looking for online continuing education and staff development for schools or districts? Check out 100% online PD at ConnectedPD.com!
How do I contact the MA State Department of Education?
Contact the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148-4906
(781) 338-3000
Disclaimer: Please ensure the information and courses meet requirements for your teaching certificate and circumstances and align with what your state Department of Education requires. The new continuing education information and courses listed on this page are current as of August 30th, 2021 to meet the best information available. State licensing requirements and school district approval processes may change and it is your responsibility as a licensed or certified teacher to know your state certification renewal requirements and the process for submission and approval of all professional and staff development hours for renewing a license, licensing and certificate renewal and expired or lapsed certification. Professional Learning Board can not guarantee acceptance by your school, district, state Department of Education or licensing authority.
