Massachusetts Licensure Information

  • NTR has been approved by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to grant an Initial License (grades 8-12 in English, History, Math and Science - Biology, Chemistry, and Physics) to teacher candidates who have successfully completed our program. It is important to note that a Master's Degree is NOT required to obtain an initial license. All teaching licenses require a candidate to have taken and passed the MTEL Communication and Literacy exam as well as relevant subject exams. You can find out more about Massachusetts licensure and about taking the MTEL (Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure) here.

    There are four types of teacher licenses currently available in the state:

    • Preliminary License - A teacher license issued to a person who holds a bachelor's degree and has passed the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) and met other eligibility requirements.
    • Initial License - An educator license issued to a person who has completed a bachelor's degree, passed the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure, completed a professional preparation program approved by the Commissioner (such as NTR), and met other eligibility requirements.
    • Professional License - An educator license issued to a person who has met the requirements for an initial license, completed a Performance Assessment Program or an appropriate master's degree program, and met other requirements.
    • Temporary License - An educator license issued to a person who holds a valid license or certificate of a type comparable to at least an initial license in Massachusetts from another state or jurisdiction, and who has been employed under such license for a minimum of three years but has not satisfied the Massachusetts testing requirements.
    An initial license is valid for five years and renewable through the state for another five years. There are a variety of paths that a teacher may take to move from an initial license to a professional license. For more information on licensure, please visit the Massachusetts Department of Education Licensure Information Website.