Important Information Certificates expire either December 31 or June 30.  Review your certificate and be aware of your expiration date.
	You may submit your documents to MSDE for renewal no earlier then 90 days prior to your renewal date.
	All renewal requests must be received no later then 90 days past your expiration date.  Renew requests received early or late run the risk of being returned to you.
	The $10.00 fee must be made only by a Money Order, Cashier’s Check or Certified Check.  Make checks payable to Maryland State Department of Education. Personal checks will be returned to you and may cause major delays.
	All teachers applying for re-certification can only submit credits earned during the 5 year period prior to the re-certification date.
	Nothing should be sent directly to MSDE from transcript agencies, colleges, universities, test score agencies or electronic reports etc. but rather all information should be sent in hard copy directly from applicant with a cover letter on school stationery including email address and social security number. (and other information listed below)  Transcripts are considered official if they are unopened and have the college seal. When MSDE replies to you, please read all material and evaluations carefully.

Certification requirements are different depending on the type of certificate to be obtained or renewed

If you have a professional eligibility certificate (PEC, Professional Eligibility Certificate) or if you are a new Catholic educator include

	Official transcripts must be submitted in an unopened mailer indicating completed coursework and college seal.
	If you completed a continuing professional development (CPD credits) submit the white copy of the official MSDE form ( make sure all parts of the form are filled out properly)
	Continuing Education Units do not count for re-certification.
	Include the $10.00 fee by money order, cashier's check or certified check made out to Maryland State Department of Education (personal checks will be returned and cause major delays and other problems) Any other documents required for the type of certification you are requesting (such as verification of satisfactory experience).
	Teachers applying for certification for the first time must submit test scores, Verification of Experience document and proof of fingerprinting from school office records
	Note in your cover sheet that you are working at a Catholic school and indicate which school.
	Be sure to state what you are requesting e.g. renewal of Certificate  or Certification in what area
	Send this packet to: Maryland State Department of Education Nothing should be sent directly to MSDE from transcript agencies, test score agencies, colleges, universities or electronic reports etc. but rather all information should be sent in hard copy directly from applicant with a cover letter

	Once your case has been assigned to a specialist there is a 6 week waiting period before you can see your new certificate on the MSDE website
	You can check progress of application or renewal by logging on to   http://www.mdcert.org  on the left side menu select logon and follow the directions.
	You must establish an account on the link listed above in order to print out your Certificate once it has been approved.
	MSDE no longer manually issues or mails certificates.

	Since 1999, certification requires reading credits.
	12 credits of reading are required for teachers who are certified in Elementary/Middle School, Early Childhood or Special Education infant to 3rd grade or grades 1 to 8.

	If you have not met the reading requirement you must take the required reading courses for the current renewal period;
	If you have met the reading requirements, then any 6 credits of educational related coursework resulting in a grade of “C” or higher will be accepted.

	The Senior Teacher Exemption is allowed by the following certification regulations.  The Superintendent of Schools may submit a written request to MSDE for an individual who has taught for 25 years or is 55 years of age.  The final decision to submit a Senior Teacher Exemption must be granted on a case-by-case basis. If you wish to pursue this option, please please send the downloaded form  (Link to Printable Form Letter )well in advance of the expiration of your certificate in order to allow time for evaluation by Dr. Valenti and submission of the request to MSDE before the expiration of your certificate. This exemption is only available to certificate holders while they are employed.  Once a teacher retires or leaves, the senior teacher exemption is no longer available. After your request is approved the official form (signed by Dr. Valenti)  should be submitted to the state department no soon than 3 months before the expiration of your certificate. The following are criteria used to determine eligibility for this exemption and must be addressed in the request letter.      The minimum requirement is 55 years of age or 25 years of teaching.
	Completed Printable Form Letter and forward it  to the superintendant. Make the form only one page in length and do not print it on School stationary as this form will be returned to you on AOB stationary with the superintendent's signature.
	You will send the form (after Dr, V signs it) along with your $10 certified check  for State Department Submission.
	You may not send the verification signed by Dr. Valenti to MSDE any earlier than 3 months before your certificate is due.
	Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope, and we will return the official letter that you will send to  MSDE along with your $10 certified check or money order  Please note, on the downloadable form, your professional developed must be listed briefly in order to fit on the one page form. The top margin on the form is set to accommodate the AOB official logo.
	Fill in the information on the Printable Form Letter linked above  and sign/date the letter (Have your principal sign and date the letter) and return to the letter to: Division of Catholic Schools, Archdiocese of Baltimore,
	320 Cathedral Street Baltimore Maryland 21201
	After you receive the approval:
	Write a cover letter explaining that you are applying for senior exemption Include your $10.00 check that must be a MONEY ORDER or Certified Check payable to Maryland State Department of Education Do not send the approval letter signed by Dr. Valenti any sooner than 3 months before Certification is due

	Information included on the form :
	Name of Participant
	School where you teach
	Social Security Number
	Title of Course
	Date course started/ Date course ended
	Name of Instructor
	School Phone
	Home Phone
	Cell  Phone
	Email address
	Your Address (Your form will be mailed to you at the address you request) Make all checks to receive CPD form payable to the Archdiocese of Baltimore Please note: The pink and white copies of the verification form will be sent to you. When your re-certification is due return the white form to the MSDE and follow other procedures detailed on this webpage above. If you lose your form, you may request a duplicate for a replacement fee of $35 . Mail the MSDE/CPD Form  and your request for duplicate along with a check.

	New Policy for teachers applying for Certification for the first time:
	In addition to meeting all the requirements outlined above, first time teachers and those new to Catholic Schools must now submit the following:

1.The verification of experience form downloadable  here: Verification of Experience  is for teachers with 3 or more years of experience. Print one form for each school where you have taught. The principal of that school can sign it.

2. Download this form for your principal to fill out and mail: Be sure that it is printed on school stationary and sent directly from the principal to MSDE. This is the only form that may not be included in applicants completed packet.  The form is NOT the same as the verification of Experience which is used for veritifcation of all teaching experience 3 years and beyond.  The fingerprint form verified current employment and security.

Fingerprint Security Form and verification of current employment.

 Evaluate Your Current Credentials If you wish to add an endorsement area or become initially certified you may have your credentials evaluated. If you are certified in another state and want to add Maryland Certification the process will also be as listed below:

 Send a request to evaluate your credentials (on school stationery) include the following:

	Official transcripts from all colleges attended in their unopened envelopes
	Copy of any teaching  certificates you hold or have held ( if you have any)
	Copy of any tests taken to get your certificate
	Verification of  teaching  prior to coming to MD
	Verification of experience in MD (form available from main menu bar on this web site)
	Cover letter telling us what subject or area or grade you seeking certification
	Applicant's  current email address  .
	Copy of Praxis I score, or GRE score (minimum 1000), or ACT score (minimum 24), or SAT score (minimum 1000 prior to April 1995; minimum 1100 after April 1995); NO MONEY WITH TRANSCRIPT EVALUATIONS   ( These praxis tests or other evaluations mentioned act as the gate keeper, MSDE will not evaluate your credentials without one of the tests) Nothing should be sent directly to MSDE from transcript agencies, test score agencies or electronic reports etc. but rather all information should be sent in hard copy directly from applicant with a cover letter

If your certification has lapsed
Please write a letter on school stationery and include the following information:
1.  Your email address, copy of your lapsed certificate or social security number

2. Verification of experience form : downloadable from the  left menu bar on this site
3. If you have additional courses you have taken, include the original transcripts.
Send all the above to MSDE in the address listed in this site.
Nothing should be sent directly to MSDE from transcript agencies, test score agencies or electronic reports etc. but rather all information should be sent in hard copy directly from applicant with a cover letter

For those who have never been certified in any state:
(Please note, for those who held teacher certified as a teacher the BEST and most valuable idea is to contact a university that has an MAT (Masters in Arts in Teaching) program.

1/  A cover letter (on school stationery) with name, address, EMAIL ADDRESS, Soc. Sec. No., and indicate that you are  employed in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.  The candidate also needs to indicate which area of certification she/he is seeking (up to two areas are allowed.  Please keep in mind that the shortest route to certification is usually the area in which the candidate majored in college);

2/  An OFFICIAL transcript of ALL college/university coursework (degree transcripts MUST reflect conferral date) -  a student copy in an unopened mailer is sufficient, but we cannot accept photocopies;  AND

3/  A copy of ONE of the following:  a/ ACT score of 24 or greater, OR b/ SAT scores (1000 before April 1995; 1100 after April 1995), OR Praxis I scores (minimum composite score of 527).

In addition – for teachers with at least one year of teaching experience at the grade level – an ORIGINAL, COMPLETED Verification of Experience form. (Downloadable on this site from the right  menu bar atthe top of the  page)

 Most colleges/universities require either the ACT or SAT for admission – we are now accepting those scores instead of Praxis I as are many other state certification agencies.  This should alleviate some of the burden of applying for certification.  However, our volume is so heavy that we cannot do a transcript analysis until the actual scores are received (i.e., telling us that a person is signed up to take the Praxis I is not sufficient).

NO MONEY WITH TRANSCRIPT EVALUATIONS Nothing should be sent directly to MSDE from transcript agencies, test score agencies or electronic reports etc. but rather all information should be sent in hard copy directly from applicant with a cover letter

For those who hold teacher certification in another state:, send:

 1/  A cover letter (on school stationery) with name, address, EMAIL ADDRESS, Soc. Sec. No., and indicate they are employed in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.  They should also indicate how many years of teaching experience they have;

 2/  An OFFICIAL transcript of ALL college/university coursework (degree transcripts MUST reflect conferral date) -  a student copy in an unopened mailer is sufficient, but we cannot accept photocopies;

 3/  A copy of the test scores used to get their out-of-state teaching certificate; (if you have them)

 4/  A copy of their out-of-state-certificate; and

 5/  An ORIGINAL, COMPLETED Verification of Experience form for each in-state and out-of-state grade-level teaching experience they have had in the last seven years. that form is downloadable from this site.

NO MONEY WITH TRANSCRIPT EVALUATIONS Nothing should be sent directly to MSDE from transcript agencies, test score agencies, colleges, universities or electronic reports etc. but rather all information should be sent in hard copy directly from applicant with a cover letter

	Cover letter with name, address, email address, and SS# (on school stationery) identifying that you are a teacher with the Archdiocese and would like to be evaluated for (what type of certification)  AND/OR the fastest route for her to become certificated.
	Official copies of ALL transcripts (student copy in an unopened mailer will suffice).
	Do NOT send any money!
	MSDE will send you an evaluation sheet showing the areas you needs to complete.  You may chose the fastest rough and later add an endorsement in another field.
	When you need a degree  the best way to go is to work through one of the Maryland approved programs – OR – applicants may be able to take the education coursework through a local community college.  But the first step is to get an evaluation so she can see what requirements she needs. Nothing should be sent directly to MSDE from transcript agencies, test score agencies ,colleges, universities or electronic reports etc. but rather all information should be sent in hard copy directly from applicant with a cover letter

Masters Equivalence ( Bachelor's degree and the following credits)

	36 total credits
	21 credits must be graduate credits (level 500 or above)
	15 may be undergraduate or MSDE-approved CPD courses Nothing should be sent directly to MSDE from transcript agencies, test score agencies, colleges, universities or electronic reports etc. but rather all information should be sent in hard copy directly from applicant with a cover letter