TEACH

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The Educator Application and Certification Hub (TEACH)

Link to TEACH: https://certificationhub.msde.maryland.gov/#/

It is a condition of employment with St. Mary's County Public Schools (SMCPS), that educators possess a teaching credential issued by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).

If you have not registered with the MSDE, you will need to visit The Educator and Certification Hub (TEACH) to complete your registration. Need help? Check out the TEACH Guide for Applicants

TEACH Registration (Link)

How to Register in TEACH

Things to consider before you register:

Use a personal email address for your TEACH Portal rather than your SMCPS/district email.
You will be asked to upload a copy of a government issued ID.
Less is more - SMCPS will ensure that your TEACH account is accurate. You do not need to upload or submit documents in TEACH. SMCPS will upload documents as needed on your behalf.
For any previous employment, make sure you are only listing your full-time teaching experience.
Send any of your required certification documents (see right column) to SMCPS, not the MSDE.

Required Certification Documents

Transcripts: Please have the college/university send official transcript directly to hrdtuition@smcps.org or mailed to 23160 Moakley Street, Leonardtown, MD 20650. The MSDE does not accept transcripts that were opened by the educator (physical or digital).
Test Scores: Please send test scores to hrdtuition@smcps.org. This can be a PDF score report.
Out of State Certificates: If you hold an out of state certificate, please send a copy to hrdtuition@smcps.org.
Verification of Employment: If you held any full-time teaching positions previously, please have your previous employer complete this form: Verification of Employment Form.

Directions for New Hires without a MSDE Issued Credentials:

Complete an Initial Application for Licensure

Please pay particular attention to the first page of the directions! The Initial Application is very subtle (you may not even realize you're in the application!) and has some quirky items you must click on to move forward.

Sometimes the MSDE will process your application before we have a chance to "claim" you as our employee. If the MSDE reaches out for more documents (transcripts, test scores, etc.), please reach out to hrdcertification@smcps.org so that we can "claim" you in TEACH and upload your documents into your portal.

TEACH Initial Application (Link)

Initial Application for Certification

Directions for New Hires with a Professional Eligibility Certificate (PEC):

Complete a Renewal or Reinstatement Application for Licensure

A PEC is issued by the MSDE to an educator who is not employed by a Maryland local school district. Now that you have signed a contract with SMCPS, the PEC must be converted to a professional teaching license. For SMCPS to make this change, you must complete an application.

Renewal-Reinstate Application.pdf

Renew/Reinstate Application

Note for New Hires with an active MSDE Certificate (Conditional, SPC I, SPC II, APC) or License (Conditional, IPL, PL, or APL):

Be sure you have registered in TEACH. Confirm with your previous Maryland school district that all of your transcripts and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) forms were uploaded to TEACH. Your certificate/license status and pay with SMCPS depend on the accuracy of TEACH.