Evaluation Standards for Teacher Licensing

All student teachers, as part of their evaluation for initial licensing, must be rated favorably on the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education standards.

Learn about these critically important standards by reviewing the following websites:

Licensure

Applying for Licensing in Massachusetts

In order to apply for initial licensure in Massachusetts, please complete the following steps:

  1. Apply online (for faster service) at https://gateway.edu.state.ma.us/stardust/login. You will need to set up a user name and password to access the secure portal [ELAR]. 
  2. Request a degree transcript in writing. Your transcript must be appropriately endorsed by the Music Education Chair or your license application will be put on hold. This may jeopardize obtaining a teaching position.
  3. Pay the Commonwealth of Massachusetts $100.00 (check https://www.doe.mass.edu/licensure/faq-glossary/apply-check-status-license.html for any fee changes) via money order or bank/cashier's check. No personal checks are accepted. However, the DESE does accept MasterCard or Visa for payment.
  4. Show evidence of having passed the required two-part state test of communication skills and subject matter (music and music education) knowledge.

All entry-level licenses will be initial and valid for five years.

Applying for the Northeast Regional Credential

The Northeast Regional Credential (NRC) is available, upon request, to anyone who holds at least an initial regular license in a particular field in any of the seven northeast region states. Issued pursuant to the Interstate Agreement on Qualification of Personnel, the NRC entitles you to be employed in the credential title(s) for a period not exceeding one year in the schools in Maine or two years in the schools for the following jurisdictions: Connecticut (Connecticut will issue all NRCs, but will accept only a NRC in Occupational/Trade for purposes of employment in Connecticut), Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. It is not renewable; however, in the event that you are not employed during the regional credential's initial validity period, it may be reissued for an additional full term to those who continue to hold a valid state certificate/license/endorsement.

Applying for Licensing in Other States

Massachusetts has a reciprocal agreement with many other states under the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement to honor its certificates toward licensing in those states. This will allow you to bypass many specific requirements in other states. For more information, please visit this page. A number of states require licensing applicants to pass a written examination before granting licensing. Some have developed their own state test while many others require the Praxis Tests. A sample of this examination is available here. The interstate agreement does not allow you to bypass any testing requirements.

A manual containing alternate certification requirements for all 50 states is available in the Berklee library and the Music Education department office.