Elementary School Teacher / Massachusetts
2026 data Massachusetts board official source

Massachusetts Elementary School Teacher License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Instructs students in grades K-6. Requires state teaching certificate.

What the Massachusetts data shows for Elementary School Teachers

To practice as an elementary school teacher in Massachusetts, the state licensing board requires board-approved training, a passing score on State Teaching Certification Exam (Praxis or equivalent). A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Massachusetts's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree in Education".

Budget $172 to get started, plus $108 at each renewal on a 5-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 150 hours of continuing education per 5-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

For elementary school teachers, the reciprocity picture is: State-specific — NASDTEC agreements between some states.

Licensing Ease Score

C-
Licensing Ease Score
50/100
Elementary School Teacher · Massachusetts

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training N/A
N/A
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$172
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A-
$22/yr
$108 every 5 years
Continuing Education F
30.0 hrs/yr
150 hours every 5 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Massachusetts

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree in Education
Not specified
Exam Requirement
State Teaching Certification Exam (Praxis or equivalent)
Required
Initial License Fee
$172
Renewal Fee
$108
Renewal Cycle
Every 5 years
Continuing Education
150 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Elementary School Teacher All Massachusetts licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Massachusetts licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Elementary School Teacher in Massachusetts? ▼
Massachusetts's requirements cover, the State Teaching Certification Exam (Praxis or equivalent) exam, and an initial fee of $172. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as an Elementary School Teacher in Massachusetts? ▼
To become a licensed elementary school teacher in Massachusetts, you must meet the state's requirements. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Massachusetts licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Elementary School Teacher license to Massachusetts from another state? ▼
For elementary school teachers, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: State-specific — NASDTEC agreements between some states. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Massachusetts licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Massachusetts require a background check for Elementary School Teacher licensing? ▼
Yes, Massachusetts requires a criminal background check as part of the elementary school teacher licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Elementary School Teacher in Massachusetts? ▼
Massachusetts ties continued elementary school teacher licensure to 150 continuing-education hours, due every 5 years, alongside a $108 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this elementary school teacher license

Elementary School Teacher in Massachusetts, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in an elementary school teacher-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Massachusetts licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.