To become a math teacher in Massachusetts, you need a bachelor’s degree, passing scores on two MTEL tests (Communication and Literacy Skills plus Mathematics (63) or Middle School Mathematics (65)), and an approved educator preparation program for an Initial license. DESE also requires the SEI endorsement. Career changers can start on a Provisional license.
Massachusetts issues math teacher licenses for grades 1-6, 5-8 and 8-12. This guide covers the 5-8 and 8-12 licenses, where the band you pick decides which MTEL math test you take. Licenses come from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Office of Educator Licensure, under 603 CMR 7.04, and follow the same broad sequence as what every state requires of math teachers: a degree, a preparation program and exams. Here’s how to become a math teacher in Massachusetts, in four steps.
- Earn a Math Degree and Complete an Approved Educator Preparation Program
- Pass the MTEL Tests Required for Math Teachers
- Apply for Your Massachusetts Math Teacher License
- Advance to a Professional License and Renew It
Step 1. Earn a Math Degree and Complete an Approved Educator Preparation Program
Every Massachusetts license starts from the same floor: math teachers must earn a bachelor’s degree at minimum. If you’re still in college, the most direct path is a math major paired with a DESE-approved educator preparation program, which ends in student teaching under an experienced math teacher.
Expect the math side of the program to cover courses like these before you move into pedagogy and lesson planning:
- Calculus
- Geometry
- Advanced algebra
- Discrete mathematics
- Statistics and probability
Completing an approved program is what makes you eligible for the Initial license. You can search approved programs in DESE’s educator preparation program directory.
Alternate Routes to a Teaching License
If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in math, engineering or another quantitative field, you don’t have to start over. You can enroll in a post-baccalaureate or master’s-level preparation program, and some let you work in a classroom while you finish.
The Provisional license is what makes that possible. DESE issues it to candidates with a bachelor’s degree who have passed all required MTEL tests, even before they finish a preparation program. It’s valid for five years of employment and can’t be extended, so you’ll need to complete an approved program and advance to the Initial license within that window (as of October 2026, per DESE’s license types page).
| Route | Who It Fits | What You Need First | License You Start With |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate prep program | College students choosing a major | Admission to a math program with an approved licensure track | Initial |
| Post-baccalaureate or master’s program | Career changers with a degree | A bachelor’s degree, plus program admission | Initial, on completion |
| Provisional license, then a program | Career changers who want to teach right away | A bachelor’s degree and passing MTEL scores | Provisional |
Out-of-State Math Teachers
If you’re licensed in another state, DESE’s out-of-state applicants page lays out two main options:
- Temporary license: for teachers with three years of experience under a comparable license who haven’t failed any part of the required MTEL tests. It’s valid for one year of employment and can’t be extended.
- Initial license: through the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, if you hold a valid comparable license or completed a comparable preparation program.
Teachers coming from Connecticut, New Hampshire or Vermont should note that those states use different licensing exams, so plan for the MTEL math test even if you passed a content exam at home. Spouses of active military members stationed in Massachusetts can also apply for a Military Spouse License, valid for three years of employment.
Step 2. Pass the MTEL Tests Required for Math Teachers
Massachusetts uses its own exams, the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL), run by Pearson’s Evaluation Systems on the official MTEL site. You’ll need two things: the Communication and Literacy Skills requirement and a math subject test. Scores are sent to DESE electronically.
Communication and Literacy Skills Test (101/201)
The Communication and Literacy Skills Test has two subtests, and you need a score of 240 on each. You get 4 hours for one or both, and it costs $69.50 per subtest or $112 for both (as of October 2026):
- Reading (101): 42 multiple-choice questions
- Writing (201): 35 multiple-choice questions, 7 sentence-correction items and 2 open-response items
You don’t have to take the MTEL version. DESE accepts two approved alternatives, and you can mix reading and writing subtests across them:
- The Massachusetts Communication and Literacy Praxis Test (Reading and Writing), from ETS
- NES Essential Academic Skills (Reading and Writing), from Pearson
MoGEA, WEST-B and CASA are no longer options for new test takers. If you already passed one of them in another state by June 30, 2026, upload a copy of the paper score report to your ELAR account, then call the Licensure Help Line so the Licensure Office can verify it.
Since April 28, 2026, you can also ask DESE to waive this test through an alternative licensure pathway if you meet one of four conditions:
- You hold a license from another state equivalent to a Massachusetts Initial or Professional license
- You hold a master’s degree or doctorate from an accredited institution
- You completed a Massachusetts-approved preparation program
- You’ve worked two years full-time equivalent in a Massachusetts district and have a school or district leader’s recommendation
You request the waiver in ELAR, and there’s no fee. It isn’t automatic: DESE reviews each request and decides whether you qualify. The pathway is authorized through June 30, 2029, under 603 CMR 7.04, and it covers only this test, never the math subject test.
Mathematics Subject Tests
Your grade band decides the test. Both are computer-based, and the passing score on each is 240 (per DESE’s subject matter test requirements and the MTEL test guides, as of October 2026):
| License | MTEL Test | Format | Passing Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics (5-8) | Middle School Mathematics (65), or Mathematics (63) | 85 multiple-choice, 2 open-response, 4 hours | 240 |
| Mathematics (8-12) | Mathematics (63) | 85 multiple-choice, 2 open-response, 4 hours | 240 |
Because Mathematics (63) also satisfies the 5-8 license, it’s the better choice if you might want both bands. Its multiple-choice section covers these areas:
- Number sense and operations
- Relations, functions and algebra
- Geometry and measurement
- Probability, statistics, calculus and discrete mathematics
If you score just under 240 on test 63 or 65 (within one standard error of measurement), on an attempt taken on or after May 31, 2021, you may qualify for MTEL-Flex. Instead of retaking the full test, you submit a written analysis of one test objective, for $69 per submission. The MTEL site lists who’s eligible.
Step 3. Apply for Your Massachusetts Math Teacher License
Before you apply for an Initial license, check one more requirement. Math is a core academic subject, so you need the Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) endorsement, which covers teaching content to English learners. Most candidates earn it inside their preparation program. You can also complete a DESE-approved SEI course, pass the SEI MTEL, hold an English as a Second Language or English Language Learners license, or hold an equivalent credential from a NASDTEC Interstate Agreement state, as approved by the Commissioner. A Bilingual Education endorsement also meets the requirement. You apply for the endorsement itself in ELAR, the same way you apply for a license. If you finished a program without it, DESE points to the Provisional license as the stopgap.
Then apply through ELAR, DESE’s Educator Licensure and Renewal portal (DESE’s ELAR guide walks through it). Online is the fastest route, and a paper application package is still available. You’ll pay:
- $100 for your first license
- $25 for each additional license, such as adding Mathematics (5-8) to Mathematics (8-12)
DESE confirmed in June 2026 that these fees are unchanged. Since July 1, 2026, paying by credit card or PayPal adds a processing fee of at least $1.50, while e-check stays free.
Which license you apply for depends on where you are in the process:
| License | Who It’s For | Valid For | Next Step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary | Out-of-state teachers with three years under a comparable license and no failed MTEL attempts | One year of employment, no extension | Advance to Provisional or Initial |
| Provisional | Degree holders who passed the MTEL but haven’t finished a program | Five years of employment, no extension | Advance to Initial |
| Initial | Program completers with passing MTEL scores and the SEI endorsement | Five years of employment, plus one five-year extension if DESE approves it | Advance to Professional |
| Professional | Initial holders who meet the Step 4 requirements | Five calendar years | Renew every five years |
You can track your application in ELAR. For questions, the Licensure Call Center is at (781) 338-6600, weekdays 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Once a district offers you a job, expect a background check before your first day. Under 603 CMR 51.00, schools run a state CORI check plus a fingerprint-based national criminal history check. You book the fingerprinting yourself through IdentoGO using the district’s provider ID, and state law caps the fee at $55 for DESE-licensed staff. Pay varies widely by district, so compare offers against the Massachusetts math teacher salary figures before you sign.
Step 4. Advance to a Professional License and Renew It
Your Initial license is valid for five years of employment. If you aren’t ready for the Professional license by your fifth year, you can apply in ELAR for a one-time, five-year Initial extension. It isn’t automatic: DESE grants it at the Commissioner’s discretion, and the application ($25) needs a school or district letter verifying your employment plus a signed plan for meeting the Professional requirements (DESE’s advancing and extending page covers how employment years are counted).
Under 603 CMR 7.04, you’re eligible to advance to the Professional license once you’ve met three conditions. First, at least three full years of employment under the Initial license itself. Second, a one-year induction program with a mentor, plus at least 50 hours of mentored experience beyond the induction year. Third, one of these:
- An approved program for the Professional license in mathematics
- A master teacher program, such as National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification
- A master’s degree or higher plus at least 12 graduate credits, at least 6 of them in math subject matter, with the rest in math-based pedagogy or the Professional Standards for Teachers
Each district designs its own induction program, but they share a basic shape:
- An orientation program for new teachers
- A trained mentor assigned within your first two weeks
- A support team that includes your mentor
- Scheduled time for your mentor to observe you teaching
Renewing Your Professional License
The Professional license is valid for five calendar years. To renew it, you’ll build an Individual Professional Development Plan, approved by your supervisor if you work in a public school, and earn 150 Professional Development Points (PDPs) for your primary license. As of October 2026, 603 CMR 44.06 requires the 150 to include:
- At least 15 PDPs in math content
- At least 15 PDPs in pedagogy
- At least 15 PDPs related to SEI, English as a Second Language or bilingual education
- At least 15 PDPs on teaching students with disabilities and inclusive practice
The other 90 PDPs can come from additional content, pedagogy or electives, as long as they fit the plan your supervisor approves. You need at least 10 PDPs in a topic before it counts. Each additional license you renew needs 30 more PDPs, and at least 15 of those must be in that license’s content area. You renew in ELAR, and the fee is $100 for your primary license and $25 for each additional one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a math teacher in Massachusetts?
Through an undergraduate preparation program, you’ll be eligible for an Initial license when you finish your bachelor’s degree, usually in four years. If you already have a degree, you can start teaching on a Provisional license as soon as you pass the MTEL tests. After that, expect at least three full years on the Initial license, including a one-year induction program, before you qualify for the Professional license.
Can I teach math in Massachusetts without an education degree?
Yes. DESE requires a bachelor’s degree, but not an education degree. With a degree in math or a related field, you can pass the MTEL tests, start on a Provisional license, and complete an approved preparation program within five years of employment to move up to the Initial license.
Do Massachusetts math teachers take the Praxis?
Not for math. Massachusetts uses the MTEL, so your subject test is Mathematics (63) or Middle School Mathematics (65). The Massachusetts Communication and Literacy Praxis Test is accepted only as an alternative to the MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills Test.
Does the Mathematics (63) test cover middle school?
Yes. DESE accepts a passing score on Mathematics (63) for the 5-8 license as well as the 8-12 license. Middle School Mathematics (65) covers only the 5-8 license.
Can I teach in Massachusetts with a license from another state?
Usually, yes. With three years of experience under a comparable license, and no failed MTEL attempts, you can get a one-year Temporary license while you meet Massachusetts requirements. You may also qualify for an Initial license through the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, and an equivalent out-of-state license is one of the grounds DESE accepts for waiving the Communication and Literacy test.
- Two tests, one of them waivable: You need a math MTEL, either Mathematics (63) or Middle School Mathematics (65), with a passing score of 240. DESE may waive the Communication and Literacy Skills Test if you meet one of four conditions, under a pathway authorized through June 30, 2029.
- Provisional is the career changer’s door: A bachelor’s degree and passing MTEL scores let you teach for up to five years while you finish an approved program.
- SEI is required for math: Core academic teachers need the Sheltered English Immersion endorsement for a first Initial license.
- Plan for the Professional license early: It takes three full years on the Initial license, a one-year induction program plus 50 mentored hours, and usually a master’s with 12 graduate credits (6 in math), then 150 PDPs every five years.
If you’re weighing a post-baccalaureate program against a Provisional license, look for one that bundles the SEI endorsement and MTEL prep, so you don’t pay for them separately. The programs listed here include options for career changers who need to keep working while they train.