Massachusetts Teacher License Endorsement

Adding Fields to an Existing License

Once you hold an Initial or Professional Massachusetts teaching license, you're not locked into a single subject area or grade level. DESE allows you to add additional fields — and many teachers find that expanding your credential opens doors to positions they couldn't apply for otherwise.

Each additional field you add goes through the same ELAR application system as your original license, but at a reduced fee: $25 per additional field versus the $100 you paid for your first.

Requirements for an Additional Field

To add a new teaching field, you need to meet the requirements for that field at your current license level. In practice, that usually means:

• Meet the subject-matter requirement for the new field — pass the relevant test where one exists, or complete a competency review where it doesn't
• Meet any field-specific coursework requirements — some fields require a minimum number of content-area credit hours
• Complete the field-specific practicum, practicum equivalent, or internship when required — Early Childhood, ESL, and Elementary fields require 150 hours, and special education fields also require a competency review and 150 hours

You don't need to re-take the Communication and Literacy Skills test or re-do your background check. Those carry over from your existing credential.

The SEI Endorsement

The Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) endorsement is the one endorsement that nearly every Massachusetts teacher needs. If you teach a core academic subject to English learners, the SEI endorsement is mandatory.

Three ways to earn it:

1. Pass the SEI MTEL — A standalone test specifically for the endorsement
2. Complete an approved SEI course — Various vendors offer courses that satisfy the requirement; check DESE's approved list
3. Hold a Massachusetts ESL/ELL license — Holding the license satisfies the endorsement requirement

For more detail on the SEI endorsement specifically, see our full SEI endorsement guide.

Dual Licensure

Dual licensure just means holding licenses in two or more fields simultaneously. Massachusetts doesn't have a special "dual license" — it's simply your base license with additional fields added. Each field appears as a separate line item on your credential in ELAR.

Common dual-licensure combinations:

• Elementary + Special Education — Especially valuable for inclusive classroom settings
• Secondary Content Area + ESL — High demand in districts with large ELL populations
• Early Childhood + Elementary — Covers the full PreK–6 range
• Two secondary subjects (e.g., Math + Physics, English + History) — Makes you more flexible for scheduling

Each additional field costs $25 and requires the applicable subject-matter test or competency review. If you're strategic about which fields you add, dual licensure significantly increases your employability — districts love candidates who can fill multiple roles.

How to Apply in ELAR

1. Log into your ELAR account
2. Select "Add a License" or "Add a Field" (the exact menu label depends on whether you're adding a field at the same level or a new license level)
3. Choose the license field and grade level you want to add
4. Upload documentation — MTEL scores are transmitted automatically from Pearson, but you may need to upload coursework transcripts for certain fields
5. Pay the $25 fee (e-check avoids the credit card convenience fee)
6. Processing takes roughly 4 weeks for straightforward additions

Endorsement vs. License Field

One thing that confuses teachers: endorsements and license fields are different. An endorsement (like SEI) is an add-on to your existing license that doesn't constitute a separate teaching field. A license field (like Biology 8–12 or Elementary 1–6) is a standalone credential that allows you to be the teacher of record for that subject and grade range.

You can hold multiple fields and multiple endorsements on the same license. The Massachusetts Teacher Certification Guide includes a tracker for managing your ELAR applications across fields, endorsements, and renewal deadlines.

See more Massachusetts guides →