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Human Resources → Educator Certification Information → MSDE Certificate  → Standard Professional Certificate 2 (SPC2)

Standard Professional Certificate 2 (SPC2)

How Long Is This Certificate Valid?

Valid 5 Years

Description

Issued to an applicant who previously held the SPC1 and does not yet qualify for the Advanced Professional Certificate (APC), is employed by a Maryland local school system or an accredited non-public school, and completed 3 years of satisfactory school related experience and 6 semester hours of acceptable credit.

Prior to the expiration of the SPC2 and in order to obtain the APC, you must:

  1. Complete a master’s;

    -OR-

    A minimum of 36 semester hours of post-baccalaureate coursework which must include a minimum of 21 semester hours of graduate credit.  The remaining 15 semester hours may be graduate, undergraduate, and/or MSDE approved CPD credits;

    -OR-

    National Board Certification and a minimum of 12 semester hours of approved graduate coursework earned after the conferral of the bachelor’s or higher degree.

  2. Complete and verify 3 years of full-time satisfactory professional school-related experience.
  3. Complete the APC Certificate Renewal Plan (PDF).

Certificate Renewal Plan (Obtaining the Advanced Professional Certificate)

A certificate renewal plan is required by MSDE in order to obtain the APC and subsequent APC renewals, unless the certificate holder qualifies for senior status. The APC renewal plan must indicate what six acceptable credits or the equivalent the professional plans to complete in order to obtain the subsequent APC. The types of acceptable equivalent activities and the requirements are listed on MCPS Form 440-37, Five-year Certificate Renewal Plan for the Renewal of the Advanced Professional Certificate (APC) (PDF).

Submission Deadlines 

All official transcripts and equivalent activities being used for the renewal cycle must be received by the Certification Unit by the certificate expiration date of December 31st or June 30th.

Certificate Processing Fee

A fee is charged by MSDE for issuance of a certificate and for each renewal. Effective January 1, 2004, this non-refundable fee is collected through automatic payroll deduction. Currently, a fee is not charged for adding new endorsements.

** FAILURE TO MEET MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS **

PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO MEET CERTIFICATION RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS

At the discretion of the local school system, professionals who fail to meet professional certificate renewal requirements are issued a Class II Conditional Certificate valid for two years. They will receive a provisional contract and will lose tenure. Experience completed under a Class II certificate may not apply toward salary advancement. For example, future step increases may be delayed based on the length of time the professional was on the Class II certificate. Failure to meet the remaining credits by the expiration of the Conditional Certificate will result in termination of employment.  

 

CONDITIONAL CERTIFICATE

Please note that COMAR 13A.12.01.11A(3) states that “the local school system may request a conditional certificate…for an employee who fails to meet the renewal requirements of the professional certificate.” 

 

 

 

CLASS II STATUS

Certificates are rated Class II because of failure to meet renewal requirements. In each case, the professional whose certificate is rated Class II will be notified of the change. All other certificates are rated Class I.

How to Submit Documentation

Find out how to submit coursework and other documentation

MSDE Certificate General Information