Beginning July 1, 2025, professionally licensed teachers employed in a Maryland public school, Maryland-operated school, or Maryland nonpublic special education facility and assigned to teach early childhood education, elementary education, special education, or English for Speakers of Other Languages are required to demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge and practices of scientific reading instruction at the renewal of their Maryland Educator License by submitting
one of the options below:
Approved Assessments
The following assessments are approved to demonstrate proficiency in teaching reading:
Approved Professional Learning
The following professional learning experiences are approved to demonstrate proficiency in teaching reading:
License holders enrolled in an approved professional learning experience when it is time to renew may submit documentation demonstrating enrollment with the renewal application. Completion of the professional learning must be submitted at the subsequent renewal.
What if I have already passed a reading instruction assessment for initial licensure?
If you passed one of the approved reading instruction assessments to earn initial licensure, you have already demonstrated proficiency in teaching reading.
I am a veteran teacher. Does this apply to me?
Yes, if you are employed in a Maryland public school, Maryland-operated school, or Maryland nonpublic special education facility and assigned to teach early childhood education, elementary education, special education, or English for Speakers of Other Languages, you must demonstrate proficiency in teaching reading.
I am working toward my Initial Professional License. Can I take approved professional learning to satisfy the initial licensure requirements?
No. If you are working toward initial professional licensure in an area that requires a reading instruction assessment, you must take one of the approved assessments to earn licensure. Please refer to the Pathways to Licensure webpage for more information.