Helpful Information for Emergency Licensed Educators

Frequently Asked Questions

I want to renew my Emergency license. How do I do this?

Old Emergency Licenses

• Issued June 2020 through December 12, 2021
• Not valid after June 2025
• Extensions could have been made to move toward new Emergency license, but must
  have been done by June 30, 2025

New Emergency Licenses

• Issued May 26, 2022, through November 7, 2023
• These licenses are valid for one calendar year after issuance
• These licenses can be renewed twice, for up to twelve months
• The cost to renew the license is $25 and you must show progress toward licensure

What does progress toward licensure mean?

Examples of progress toward licensure include:

• Attempting or passing a required MTEL
• Enrolling in a state-approved preparation program (learn more at Teach Massachusetts)
• Taking courses in a state-approved preparation program that the educator is enrolled in
• A pending interview for the panel review (administrators, school counselors)
• Completion of the orientation program (school nurses)

For more specific information on the renewal of Emergency licenses, please visit the licensure extension website for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

When does my Emergency license expire?

To determine the renewal or expiration date for your Emergency license, check your Educator License and Renewal (ELAR) account.

What license do I need to apply for after my Emergency license?

There are several distinct types of licenses for educators. Most Emergency licensed educators will move from their EL (Emergency license) to a Provisional license. See below for an explanation of each of the Massachusetts teacher license types.

• Temporary License
  • For an educator licensed in another state and who has three years of experience working in that license's role in another state
  • Valid for one year of employment (cannot be extended; must advance to a provisional or initial license)
• Provisional License
  • For an educator who holds a bachelor’s degree, has passed all the required MTELs for their subject area but may not have appropriate coursework or student teaching
  • Valid for five years of employment, (cannot be extended; must advance to initial license)
• Initial License
  • For an educator who has a bachelor's degree, has passed all the required MTELs for their subject area, has Sheltered English Immersion Endorsement (SEI) Endorsement, and has completed an educator preparatory program or Performance Review Program for Initial Licensure (PRPIL)
  • Valid for five years of employment (may be extended once, must move on toward professional licensure)
• Professional License
  • For an educator who possess a Massachusetts initial license and has worked under that for three years
  • Valid for five calendar years (renewable every five years thereafter)

How do I know what is required for movement from an Emergency license to a Provisional or Initial license?

To help prospective teachers determine the requirements for licensure, DESE has created a lookup tool that lists the specific requirements for all types of educator licenses.

Which Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL) tests do I need to take to move from my Emergency license to a Provisional or Initial license?

All prospective teachers must take the Communication and Literacy MTEL (101/201) or an
approved alternative. The Communication and Literacy MTEL is broken into two subtests, reading and writing.

Then, depending on the area or grade level that a teacher might choose to become licensed in, there are other required MTELs. DESE has developed a guide that outlines which MTELs or alternative assessments might be needed for each licensure area.

What is an alternative assessment?

DESE is piloting alternative assessments to the Communication and Literacy MTEL through June 30, 2025. The list of these alternative assessments can be found on their website along with the format in which to take the test, and the length and price of the test.

English is not my first language, and I am having difficulty completing the MTELs within the time given. Are there any MTEL accommodations available for candidates who need them?

Yes, there are several accommodations available for educators who may need these. Some of these require pre-approval and some do not. 

I took the subject matter test needed for my license but missed passing by a couple of points. Do I have to take the MTEL again?

For select subject matter tests, if the score of the MTEL was close (within one standard error of measurement), candidates for licensure may take the MTEL-Flex rather than taking the full MTEL.

To determine if a score is close enough for eligibility for the MTEL-Flex, candidates should find the MTEL-Flex test for the subject matter MTEL they took.

Once, selected there will be information provided to determine if the score on the previously taken MTEL was close enough for a candidate to take a MTEL-Flex instead of taking the MTEL again for that subject matter. Requirements, cost and description of the MTE-Flex are provided on this page as well.

Are there any resources to prepare for MTELs?

Yes, there are several resources to help candidates prepare for MTELs.

• Practice Tests
• MTEL Test Information Guides
• Test Preparation Courses, including those offered at Stonehill College
• DESE Free Prep Courses, including an ESL MTEL Test Prep Course
• Foundations of Reading – Right Start Interactive Learning Course

How can I contact DESE with further questions that I have about my current license(s)?

DESE’s call center is available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. and 2–5 p.m. The phone number is 781-338-6600.

There is also a walk-up center at the DESE office at 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, Massachusetts. It is open Monday through Friday, 8:45 a.m.–4:45 p.m. Please bring a photo ID with you.