Applying for an Initial Educator License

Early in Your Program

As soon as you’ve enrolled, go to Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE) to set up your Educator Licensure and Renewal profile (ELAR). Through  ELAR, you can check MTEL test results, check license status, upload documents, and more.

During Your Program

Complete all required coursework and Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTELs).

Near the End of Your Program

Apply for your Initial license and pay the application fee online through ELAR.

At the same time, you must apply for the Sheltered English Immersion endorsement (SEI) through your ELAR account. See SEI Endorsement page for how to apply.

SEI endorsement is not required for Professional Support Personnel licenses (School Guidance/School Adjustment counselors) or Provisional license. Please note: Candidates receive the SEI endorsement at the same time as the endorsement for Initial licensure.

Graduate students must submit an official bachelor's degree transcript (with a registrar signature) by uploading it through ELAR.

If your undergraduate degree was issued under a different name from your ELAR, upload proof of name change (marriage license/divorce certificate, etc.)

If your undergraduate degree was from a country outside of the US, have the coursework/diploma evaluated by a nationally accredited agency listed with the ESE, and sent to the ESE, or upload to ELAR.

After all course requirements and MTELs are completed and all grades and credits are posted on Self-Service, submit the Endorsement Request form online at the Certification website. This form notifies our office that you are ready to be endorsed by Lesley and eligible to be licensed by the state. We will review your record and submit an electronic endorsement for the Initial license and SEI to the ESE using your MEPID, usually within 7-10 working days of your request.

The following time-sensitive issues may affect your endorsement/licensing date:

• Undergraduate licensure program completers: the state requires a Bachelor's degree for license approval. We wait until Lesley's degree conferral to submit your endorsement.* There are three conferral dates per year: September 15, January 15, and Commencement (generally the 3rd Saturday in May). Lesley is able to complete a degree verification for undergraduate program completers at the time of endorsement. *If extenuating circumstances require a license prior to degree conferral, contact the Certification Office at cert_off@lesley.edu.
• School Guidance and School Adjustment Counselor candidates must have a Master's degree conferral to be endorsed, so we will wait until Lesley's degree conferral to submit your endorsement. Request an Official Transcript from the Registrar's office or through Self-Service after your degree has been conferred, scan both sides of the transcript and upload it to your ELAR.

Confirmation of Your License

You will get a confirmation email from ESE stating the date of Lesley's electronic endorsement, the subject/grade level of the Initial license endorsement, and SEI, if applicable. Check it for accuracy and save a copy for your files. While waiting for the ESE to process your license approval, use the ESE confirmation email to show prospective or current employers that your licensure requirements have been completed.

Although we try to ensure that certification information is accurate and complete, the contents are subject to change.