Certification Information

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Certification Information
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How can you qualify for a Maryland Certificate?
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Types of Maryland Certificates

• Standard Professional I (SPC I)
• Standard Professional II (SPC II)
• Advanced Professional Certificate (APC)

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Routes to Maryland Certification

• Complete an Approved Program
• Approved Professional Experience
• Transcript Analysis

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Certification by Approved Program

• Official transcripts, and one of the following
• a/ Maryland tests, or
• b/ Copy of valid, professional out-of-state
  certificate and test scores used to receive it
  (if applicable), or
• c/ Copy of professional out-of-state
  certificate and 2 yrs out-of-state experience on
  original, completed Verification of Experience
  form

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Certification by Approved Professional Experience

• Official transcripts (degree transcripts must
  have conferral date)
• Copy of valid, professional out of state
  certificate(s)
• 3 years of satisfactory experience within the
  last 7 years on original, completed Verification
  of Experience form(s)

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Minimum Requirements to be Evaluated for
Certification via Transcript Analysis

• Bachelors degree or higher from an IHE
• Maryland qualifying scores on the Praxis I, ACT,
  SAT or GRE

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How to Apply for Certification On-Line

• Go to the Certification Home Page at
  www.mdcert.org
• Create a new user account
• Complete and submit the application for
  certification include your Archdiocese of
  Baltimore employment
• Mail the appropriate documents to MSDE
• official transcripts
• photocopy of test scores and out-of-state
  certificate (if applicable)
• original, completed Verification of Experience
  form (s) (if applicable)
• An original letter from your Principal , on
  school letterhead, confirming your current
  employment
• a photocopy of your completed background check /
  fingerprints

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You Will Receive from MSDE via Email

• A Notification of Payment Due or Evaluation of
  Credentials
• Pay via Credit Card or U.S. Mail (no personal
  checks!!) once payment has been received, your
  Certificate will issue
• You may go online to view, download and print
  your Certificate

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How to Apply for Maryland Certification the Old
Fashioned Way

• Write a cover letter on school letterhead or
  Identify yourself as an Archdiocese of Baltimore
  teacher in bold letters at the top of the sheet
• Include the following information
• Name, Address, SSN, Telephone , and Permanent
  email address
• Specify the areas in which you wish to become
  certified (maximum of 2).

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How to Apply for Maryland Certification (cont.)

• Mail the appropriate documents to MSDE
• official transcripts
• photocopy of test scores and out-of-state
  certificate (if applicable)
• original, completed Verification of Experience
  form (s) (if applicable)
• An original letter from your Principal , on
  school letterhead, confirming your current
  employment
• a photocopy of your completed background check /
  fingerprints
• Address to
• MSDE, ATTN Certification Branch
• 200 West Baltimore St.
• Baltimore, MD 21201

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You will Receive from MSDE

• A Statement of Professional Eligibility with
  directions for accessing the application online
  and payment information, or
• An Evaluation of Credentials

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How do you renew your Maryland
certificate?
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General Renewal Requirements

• 6 acceptable credits within the five years
  immediately preceding the renewed certificate
• If reading course work has not been completed,
  renewal credits must be in reading until
  requirements are completed

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Renewal Credits

• Acceptable credit is post-baccalaureate course
  work earned at a regionally accredited
  college/university or through MSDE-approved CPD
  credits earned within the last 5 years.
• MSDE accepts online and community college credit,
  as long as the IHE is regionally accredited

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Standard Professional Certificates

• Maryland requires all teachers to earn a Masters
  Degree or 36 post-baccalaureate semester hours
  (minimum 21 graduate hours, maximum 15
  undergraduate hours or MSDE-approved CPDs) within
  10 yrs of earning the Standard Professional
  Certificate I.

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Moving from the SPC I to SPC II

• 6 acceptable renewal credits (must be in reading
  until reading requirements are met)
• Verification of Experience form (must have 3 yrs
  of experience)
• Principals letter confirming current employment

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Moving from the SPCI or II to APC

• Three years of satisfactory experience within the
  last 7 years (on Verification of Experience
  form), and
• a/ Masters Degree, or
• b/ 36 post-baccalaureate credits (minimum 21
  graduate level), or
• c/ National Board Certification and 12
  graduate credits

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Avoiding Errors in Applying for Certification or
Renewal

• Identify yourself as an Archdiocese of Baltimore
  teacher
• Make certain to include a current email address
• Send sealed official transcripts only degree
  transcripts must have conferral date
• Know reading requirements for your endorsement
  area
• Do not send personal checks

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For Additional Information

• MSDE Website www.mdcert.org
• MSDE Certification Assistance Line (M-F 8 a.m.
  5 p.m.)
• 410 767 0412 or 866 772 - 8922
• Dr. Carole Redlines Website for AOB teachers
• http//ideas4us.com/Certification
• Dr. Carole Redline credline_at_archbalt.org