renewal | Montgomery County Public Schools

Educator Certification Information

Maryland Credential Renewal or Advancement

Description

A Maryland teaching credential is your license to teach in an accredited public school in the state of Maryland. All teachers, specialists, and administrators or supervisors in a position directly related to the instructional program in the State are required to hold a Maryland credential. Maryland teaching credentials have an issuance date of either January 1 or July 1. Professionals who begin service between January 1 and June 30 will be issued a credential valid January 1. Those who begin service between July 1 and December 31 will be issued a credential valid July 1.

All official documents verifying completion of credential renewal requirements must be submitted to the Licensure Unit by the expiration of the professional credential so that continuous employment is not jeopardized.

How and Where to Keep Your Credential

As with all licenses, it should be treated as an important document. It is recommended that your credential be kept in a personal licensure file so that you can refer to it for information.

Requirements for Renewal or Advancement Depending on Type of Credential

Educators who hold the Standard, Advanced, or Professional Eligibility “Certificate” will have these renewal requirements.

Educators who hold the Initial Professional, Professional, or Advanced Professional License will have the requirements outlined on the MSDE Renewal and Advancement information page.

See our renewal Google site for more detailed information and examples of acceptable professional development.

What is Senior Status?

This status is only an option for school systems, who choose to use it when renewing their educators’ credentials. To qualify for senior status, you must be employed by Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) in a permanent position that requires Maryland licensure. Also, you must have completed, or be on track to complete, at least 25 years of public or non-public professional school service, in Maryland or any other state. Alternatively, if you are, or will be, at least 55 years of age any time within the validity period of your current license, you also meet the qualifications. Any coursework on file will be added to your State records and there is no need to submit equivalent activities. You will maintain your professional Maryland license and this renewal option will not be indicated on the license itself.

If you resign or retire from MCPS before your credential expires, you will no longer be contracted; therefore, the senior status allowance is not an option for renewing your Maryland credential. In that instance, you must submit renewal requirements along with your request to renew your Maryland educator credential directly to MSDE.

What Senior Status Does NOT Mean

PLEASE NOTE: Senior status is only for renewal and does NOT exempt an educator from meeting the MSDE Lauryn's Law requirement if the educator holds the School Counselor endorsement area on their Maryland Educator Certificate at time of renewal.

FAILURE TO MEET RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS

At the discretion of the local school system, professionals who fail to meet professional credential renewal requirements are issued a Temporary Professional License (TPL) valid for two years. Failure to meet the remaining credits by the expiration of the Temporary Professional License (TPL) will result in termination of employment. Thereafter, all reinstatement requirements must be met in order to be eligible for any Maryland educator credential, including any changes in regulatory requirements.