Career Changers or individuals with degrees in fields outside of education may consider entering the teaching profession. Individuals who do not meet professional certification requirements may be issued a Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Conditional Certificate. Issuance of this certificate is at the discretion of a local school system. Conditional Certificates are not issued by MSDE. Career changers interested in earning MSDE professional certification while assigned full-time to a BCPS classroom must obtain a teaching position and Provisional Contract.
Per the terms of the MSDE Provisional Contract, the certificate holder must maintain his/her certification by completing coursework and testing requirements within the prescribed timeline. Certification requirements and timelines for Conditional teachers vary based on individual education backgrounds and experiences. Teachers are provided guidance and support to select the appropriate pathway to certification to ensure successful completion of certification requirements by regulated state timelines.
See Routes for Initial Certification for information regarding options to teacher certification within the state of Maryland.
To qualify for a Conditional Certificate:
- Identify a subject area of interest
- Conferred Bachelor's degree
- BCPS offer of employment for a teaching position
Certification in CTE areas may be an option for career changers with verification of eligible previous occupational experience and education. Career and Technical teaching areas include:
- Arts, Media, and Communication
- Business, Management and Finance
- Consumer Services, Hospitality, and Tourism
- Construction and Development
- Environmental, Agricultural, and Natural Resources Systems
- Health and Biosciences
- Human Resources Services
- Information Technology
- Manufacturing, Engineering, and Technology
- Transportation Technologies
Apply for a Teaching Position!
To apply for a position, please visit www.bcps.org/jobs.