Education Requirements

The Maine Department of Education (207-624-6603) requires that all teachers in the state hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and graduate from a state-approved program of teacher preparation in Maine.

Did you graduate from a teacher preparation program outside of Maine? If the program from which you graduated is either nationally accredited or regionally accredited, the Maine Department of Education will likely accept your credits. Maine recognizes the following regional accreditation agencies:

• The New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools

• The Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools
• The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
• The Northwest Association of Secondary Schools and Higher Education
• The Western Association of Colleges and Schools

Did you graduate from a teacher preparation program in a foreign country? If so, call the Maine Department of Education at 207-624-6603. They will provide you with the necessary forms to have your academic credentials evaluated by Academic & Credential Records Evaluation & Verification Service.

Certification Options
The Maine Department of Education offers five different types of teaching certificates, based upon your qualifications:

• Provisional Certificate: the initial certificate that new teachers in Maine typically receive. Valid for two years.
• Professional Certificate: the standard certificate for Maine teachers, usually attainable if you hold a Provisional Certificate and have two years of experience. Valid for five years.
• Master Certificate: the teaching certificate that indicates exceptional knowledge. Must have national board certification to receive. Valid for five years.
• Conditional Certificate: issued if you are deficient in six credits or still need to pass a basic skills exam. Valid for one year, at the end of which you should apply for a Provisional Certificate. You should fulfill the requirements for which you are deficient during that year.

Specific requirements for each endorsement/certification area available in Maine may be found here.

Examinations

An overview of Maine’s assessment requirements for teachers can be found at the Praxis site.

Basic skills testing:
Before receiving initial teacher certification in Maine, you must pass the Praxis I basic skills tests in reading, writing, and mathematics. Your composite score on the three sections must be at least 526, with scores of at least 176 in reading, 175 in writing, and 175 in mathematics.

You must also pass the Principles of Learning and Teaching test pertinent to the grade level you intend to teach.

Content area assessment testing:
The Praxis II exam must be passed for each content area in which you wish to become certified to teach:

• Early Childhood (Ages 0-5)
• Early Elementary (Grades K-3)
• General Elementary (Grades K-8)
• Middle School English (Grades 5-8)
• Middle School Mathematics (Grades 5-8)
• Middle School Science (Grades 5-8)
• Middle School Social Studies (Grades 5-8)
• Secondary English (Grades 7-12)
• Secondary Life Science (Grades 7-12)
• Secondary Mathematics (Grades 7-12)
• Secondary Physical Science (Grades 7-12)
• Secondary Social Studies (Grades 7-12)
• Art (Grades K-12)
• Business Education (Grades K-12)
• English to Speakers of Other Languages (Grades K-12)
• Family and Consumer Sciences (Grades K-12)
• Health (Grades K-12)
• Industrial Arts (Grades K-12)
• Music (Grades K-12)
• Physical Education (Grades K-12)
• Theatre (Grades K-12)
• French (Grades K-12)
• German (Grades K-12)
• Latin (Grades K-12)
• Spanish (Grades K-12)
• Special Education:
• Blind/Visually Impaired (Grades K-12)
• Deaf/Hearing Impaired (Grades K-12)
• Speech and Hearing Clinician (Grades K-12)
• Students with Severe Disabilities (Grades K-12)
• Teacher/Disabled Students (Ages 0-5)
• Teacher/Disabled Students (Grades K-8 or 7-12)

Experience Requirements

As an applicant for initial teacher certification, the Maine Department of Education requires that you have completed a comprehensive practicum as well as a student teaching assignment as part of your teacher preparation program.

During the student teaching portion, you will be expected to lead the class in lessons, as well as assist the classroom teacher of record prepare and use lesson plans as specified either by the classroom teacher of record or by the certification official at your teacher preparation program. The duration of your student teaching experience will vary depending upon your teacher preparation program’s rules.

Document and Application Requirements

Upon completion of all education, examination, and experience requirements, you are ready to apply for initial teacher certification in Maine. Use the Application for Initial Certification. Make sure to attach:

• Necessary application fees, payable to Treasurer of the State of Maine
• Official transcript(s) showing receipt of a bachelor’s degree
• List the certificate/endorsement code and grade level on the application
• Explain any application questions you answered “yes” to
• A copy of your Praxis I and II score results

Mail all of the above to State of Maine Department of Education, Certification Office, 23 State House Station, Augusta ME 04333-0023.

After submitting all materials, you may check the status of your certification anytime online.

Criminal History Background Check

Before the Maine Department of Education will issue you a teaching certificate, you must complete the fingerprinting process necessary for running a criminal history background check. You’ll find approved sites to have your fingerprints taken and process explanations here. You are responsible for paying the $55 fingerprinting fee. You will not receive a teaching certificate until the Maine Department of Education receives a cleared background report.

Contact Information

For information on department-approved teacher preparation programs in Maine, contact them directly.

For information on the initial teacher certification process in Maine, contact the Maine Department of Education at 207-624-6603.