Maine

Becoming a teacher can be a lifelong, fulfilling profession where you help kids start a path to achieving their dreams and goals. Every state has their own requirements and benefits to become a certified teacher, and you need to know the specifics so that you can advance in your teaching profession. If you decide to become a Maine certified teacher, you will have to take a variety of educational programs and license tests to receive your certification. Learn the basics through the information on this page.

Requirements for certified teachers in Maine

For you to obtain your Maine teaching certification, you must meet initial eligibility requirements and take the appropriate tests. To meet general requirements, you should have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution. You must also pass a number of exams appropriate to the grade level and subject that you will be teaching. Testing for all licensure consists of two parts: taking the PRAXIS Core Academic Skills test and passing the Principles of Learning and Teaching test.

For the Core Academic Skills test, you will take three different sections that test your basic knowledge in writing, reading, and mathematics. The Principles of Learning and Teaching test is divided into grade levels of K-6 and 7-12. You may also become certified in special licensure areas depending on the type of school you teach (elementary, middle, or secondary) or based on a certain type of education (special education, world languages, or career and technical).

You must submit your fingerprints to the Department of Education to receive your Maine teaching certification. Once you send in your fingerprints, you will obtain your certification if you have meet all other requirements.

After you obtain your certification, you will have to renew it every five years. To pass the renewal process, you must continue to meet the state of Maine’s Board of Education standards. If you meet the qualifications, have the appropriate transcripts, and provide the applicable fees, you will continue to receive your certification renewal.

Maine jobs for licensed teachers

You will discover numerous teaching fields in the state of Maine, with the Department of Education eager to introduce innovative programs to encourage teachers to expand their professional fields. Besides becoming an initial educator, you may also decide to become an educational specialist or seek a position as an the initial administrator. Teachers may also seek a specialized license in an area of education. Specialized Maine teaching licenses include early childhood, elementary education, English as a second language (ESL), world languages, and special education.

If you plan to teach a subject designated as a Teacher Shortage Area (TSA) by the U.S. Department of Education, you might be eligible for student loan deferment or cancellation. The following TSAs have been approved for Maine for the 2015-2016 school year:

• English as a Second Language
• Gifted/Talented
• Industrial Arts
• Mathematics
• School Librarians
• Science
• Special Education
• World Languages
  • Chinese
  • French
  • German
  • Japanese
  • Latin
  • Russian
  • Spanish

A full and current list of TSAs for each state is available via the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education.

Teaching license reciprocity in Maine

Maine participates in a teaching license reciprocity agreement with the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC). When you apply for a teaching certificate in one state using an existing license from another, the “destination state” is actually recognizing your credentials as verification that you are qualified to teach. You must still meet all requirements before you can teach there.

Fortunately, the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement for Educator Licensure streamlines this application process and expedites the goal of teaching in your new state. For more information, see Teaching License Reciprocity Explained.

Disclaimer: Licensing requirements are subject to change. Please visit your state board of education to check for recent revisions to teaching license requirements.

More information:

• Maine Department of Education Certification
• PRAXIS Exams in Maine