Conditional Licensed Teacher

Launch Your Teaching Career Without Waiting

A Maryland Conditional License is a non-renewable, 3-5 year certificate for individuals with a bachelor’s degree but lacking full certification, issued only upon hire by a local school system to fill vacancies. It requires teachers to complete a pathway to professional licensure (courses or tests) while teaching full-time.

I want to become a teacher…what do I do now???

I have a teaching degree from an accredited college or university.

Contact your local School Systems and apply for a teaching position.
They will advise you on next steps and availability of positions.

I have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree but I do not hold a teaching license.

Either contact your local School Systems and see if they have any openings for a Conditional Licensed Teacher (CLT). Then complete a Master of Arts in Teaching Degree at an accredited university or college.
Or contact the Eastern Shore Higher Education Center and ask to speak to the CLT Education Navigator. To qualify for the CLT Program you must be employed by a school system. Your options to become licensed in the State of Maryland include:
- Earn another Bachelor’s Degree in Education (2 – 4 years)
- Earn a Masters of Arts in Teaching (2 years) from an accredited institution (Salisbury University, Towson University, Bowie State University, UMES, Liberty University, etc.)
- Complete the USM Empowered Educator Program (3 trimesters online)

I am an Instructional Assistant for a school system with a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Contact your school system HR Office and tell them you would like to become a Conditional Licensed Teacher. If they approve then you will contact the CLT Education Navigator at the Eastern Shore Higher Education Center to begin the program. To qualify for the CLT Program you must be employed by a school system. Your options to become licensed in the State of Maryland include:

Earn another Bachelor’s Degree in Education (2 – 4 years)
Earn a Masters of Arts in Teaching (2 years) from an accredited institution (Salisbury University, Towson University, Bowie State University, UMES, Liberty University, etc.)
Complete the USM Empowered Educator Program (3 trimesters online)

I am an Instructional Assistant for a school system with an AAT or AA degree.

Contact your school system and tell them you are interested in becoming a licensed teacher.
Contact the CLT Program Coordinator to determine the best path for entering a Bachelor’s degree program for teaching licensure.

I am an Instructional Assistant for a school system with no degree.

Contact your school system and tell them you are interested in becoming a licensed teacher.
Contact the Eastern Shore Higher Education Center CLT Education Navigator to enroll in Chesapeake College’s Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree Program (AAT). Once that is completed you must complete the Bachelor’s in Education at an accredited college or university. You may apply to the Salisbury University Teacher Education Program offered at the Eastern Shore Higher Education Center.

I am a high school graduate who completed the TAM Program.

Either contact Chesapeake College to enroll in the AAT Degree Program. Make sure to tell them that you are a TAM Graduate, so that you get articulated credit for your high school work.
Or enroll in an Education Degree Program from an accredited college or university.

I am a high school graduate with some or no TAM credits.

Either contact Chesapeake College to enroll in the AAT Degree Program.
Or enroll in an Education Degree Program from an accredited college or university.

I am a Career and Technology Educator.

Are you currently teaching a career and technology course for a local school system? Are you seeking your Professional Technical Education License from the Maryland State Department of Education? Do you have at least three years of experience in the skills area you want to teach (masonry, carpentry, culinary arts, welding, nursing, etc.)?

If you currently employed as a CTE teacher with a school system, contact Deobrah Urry at [email protected] to learn about the 4 required courses for a Maryland Professional Technical Educator License.
If you are not currently employed as a CTE Teacher with a school system, contact your local school systems for information on openings. Then contact Deborah Urry at [email protected] for information on the 4 required courses for a Maryland Professional Technical Educator License.

Chesapeake College offers the four courses which satisfy the MSDE requirements for Professional Technical Education Licensure for Career and Technology Teachers. They are three-credit courses, offered online in asynchronous modules at the undergraduate level.

Fall Semester:

Spring Semester:

All courses are available in the summer and as independent study options with Chesapeake College approval.

Check with your school system to see if they participate in Direct Billing with Chesapeake College.

For more information, contact Deborah Urry: [email protected].

USM Empowered Educator Program (3 trimesters online)

In 2026 the first cohort will be for Elementary Education Licensure only, and will take 75 students.
Priority will be given to CLTs who have been employed by a school system and are running out of time to meet the CLT Requirements.

Requirements:

Have a signed teaching contract with a local public school system
Have a 3.0 GPA in last-earned college degree or have passed the PRAXIS Core Exam
Complete the EdTPA and PRAXIS Pedagogy and, Elementary Content and Teaching Reading for Elementary Exams.
Complete a successful year of internship with the school system

Suzanne Butler

Education Navigator
Email: [email protected]

Masters of Arts in Teaching Online Programs

Mt. St. Mary’s University
MAT Elementary Education
MAT Elementary Education / Special Education
MAT Elementary Education / Early Childhood Education
MAT Elementary Education/ Special Education / Early Childhood Education

University of Phoenix
MAT Elementary Education
MAT Secondary Education
MAT Special Education

Bowie State University
MAT Elementary Education
MAT Secondary Education

Goucher College
MAT Elementary Education
MAT Special Education
MAT Specialty Areas – Art, Dance, ESOL, Environmental Education, Music, Theatre World Languages
MAT Secondary Education – Biology, Chemistry, Earth / Space Science, English, History, Mathematics, Physics, Social Studies

Towson University
MAT Early Childhood
MAT Elementary Education
MAT Secondary plus French, Spanish, Art
MAT Special Education

Liberty University
MAT Special Education
MAT Elementary Education
MAT Secondary Education

UMBC
*Application has been made to MHEC to offer the MATs online in 2026.
MAT Secondary Education
MAT Early Childhood Education
MAT Elementary Education

Stevenson University
MAT in STEM: Biology, Chemistry, Earth / Space Science, Physics, Physical Science, Math

MATs in-person or hybrid

Salisbury University
MAT Secondary Education: Music Voice and Instrumental, Physics, Spanish, Biology, Chemistry, English, Earth Science, French, History, Math

UMES
MATs in: Agriculture, Art, Biology, Business, English, Chemistry, Family & Consumer Science, Math, Music Voice and Instrumental, Social Studies, Technology Education

This program exists in partnership with the Rural Maryland Council.