Language & Literacy Program (L&L) Licensure Requirements

Name of Massachusetts License

Reading Specialist

Stage

Initial (This license is valid for five years of employment in Massachusetts.)

Grade Levels

All

Requirements for Initial Licensure

Prerequisite:

1. Possess an Initial Massachusetts or out-of-state teaching license.
2. Complete at least one year of teaching experience under that license.

Additional Requirements:

1. Complete all Language & Literacy Coursework and Fieldwork requirements.
2. Pass the 2-part Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL). The 2-part MTEL exam is composed of the Communication & Literacy Skills and Subject-Matter exams. Please see the NES MTEL website and the Licensure Unit MTEL website for more information.

Requirements for Professional Licensure

For candidates who do not possess any Professional teacher license:

1. Teach under the Initial Reading Specialist license for 3 years.
2. Complete a 1-year Induction Program provided by the school district.
3. Complete a 50-hour mentored experience beyond the Induction year.
4. Complete one of the following:
   • 12 graduate credits in the appropriate subject area,
   • an approved 12 credit non-degree program,
   • an approved district-based program,
   • a program leading to master teacher status, or
   • when available, a Department-sponsored Performance Assessment Program to obtain coursework requirement.

For candidates who possess a Professional teacher license, you just need to teach under the Initial Reading Specialist license for 3 years.

(Please see Section 7.04 of the Massachusetts Licensure Regulations for more detailed information.)

How to Obtain Licensure in an Additional Subject

If you already hold a Massachusetts Teacher license, you will need to pass the Subject-Matter MTEL Exam in the additional subject. Additional fieldwork of 150 hours is required for the Early Childhood and Elementary licenses. Additional fieldwork of 150 hours and a competency review are required for the Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities, Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities, Teacher of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, and Teacher of the Visually Impaired licenses. (See Section 7.14 for more detailed information.)

If you have an Out-of-State Teacher license, you will first need to have your Out-of-State Teacher license validated in MA through the reciprocity process (See Section 7.05/5), which includes passing the appropriate Subject-Matter MTEL Exam. Then, you would need to follow the instructions stated above. Note: The additional fieldwork and competency review requirements addressed above are not needed in order to have your existing Out-of-State Teacher license validated in MA through reciprocity.

Cost for Licensure

$100 First Massachusetts license
$25 Each additional license

Licensure Processing Information

All licenses are processed through the Licensure Unit. Meetings will be scheduled throughout the year to keep you informed of all licensure requirements and deadline dates.

Required Paperwork

1. Online Application
2. Original Undergraduate and Graduate Transcripts
3. Copy of Teaching License
4. Letter Documenting Teaching Experience (For the wording needed in this letter, please see the template for those who have completed at least one full year of employment (pdf), or for those who have not yet completed one full year of employment (pdf)).
5. Name Change Documentation (e.g., marriage license, valid driver's license with Social Security number, Passport)

Resource to answer additional questions about Licensure Requirements

Please visit our FAQ section for L&L students or e-mail the Licensure Staff Assistant at licensure@gse.harvard.edu.

Resource to answer additional questions about the L&L Program

Please visit the Language & Literacy website or e-mail Pamela Mason at pamela_mason@gse.harvard.edu.