The state of Maryland requires educators, gainfully employed by the public school system, to be properly certified. The process of teacher certification is the state’s way of making certain that each student attending school in Maryland receives instruction from a licensed educator. This means that a teacher has met the predetermined professional standards of knowledge and skill as defined by the Board of Education of the state of Maryland. Anyone interested in teaching in this state should take the time to know what criterion is required to become certified to teach.

Maryland teaching certificates must be renewed periodically as prescribed as they are not permanent certificates. Different ones are issued to teachers who have followed either a traditional or alternate certification path. Additionally, the type of certificate issued will be dependent upon the educator’s level of experience and/or advancement.

Maryland issues The Professional Eligibility Certificate (PEC), which is valid for five years, to a candidate who has met the predetermined criteria but is not working in a school in the state of Maryland. The Standard Professional Certificate I (SPC I) is issued for a period of five years by the state for those who meet eligibility requirements and are currently working for a school in the state.

Given for a period of five years to a teacher who currently holds an SPC I certificate and can properly verify professional experience of three years and six semester credits of acceptable coursework is the Standard Professional Certificate II (SPC II). This also mandates its applicant to prepare a professional development plan to fine-tune his or her career objectives as he or she works towards the next certificate – the Advanced Professional Certificate (APC).

An Advanced Professional Certificate’s (APC) requirements are very similar to SPC II certificate. The difference is that the candidate seeking the APC must also supply confirmation of the successful completion of a Master’s degree, or submit verification of a minimum of 36 post-baccalaureate coursework semester credits.

The Resident Teacher Certificate (RTC) is issued for two years to a candidate sponsored by a specific Maryland school district who obtained a teacher’s certification through an alternative teacher preparation program. Finally, the Conditional Certificate (COND) is issued at a specific request by a school superintendent for a teacher who does not meet all the predetermined certification criteria.

Additionally, teachers can be certified to teach students in areas of specialized education. Those certified to teach in a specialty area for kindergarten through grade 12 will work with students requiring sign language, the fine arts or physical education. Special education teachers will work with children who may be hearing or visually impaired or severely disabled.

by Natasha Bright