Massachusetts State Personnel Standards

Massachusetts State Personnel Standards

Audiologist

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Discipline Audiologist
License/Certificate Audiologist
State Department Massachusetts Board of Registration in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
State Department Hyperlink https://www.mass.gov/speech-language-pathology-and-audiology-licensing
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Au.D in Audiology or a PhD in Audiology
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? (Praxis: Audiology (5343)
Additional requirements specific to Part C? All professional staff members employed directly or indirectly by an early intervention program (includes salaried, contract/fee for services, or consultant/subcontract) are certified as Early Intervention Specialists by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health prior to billing for direct services. All staff are required to attend and participate in a 2-day orientation training offered by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist

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Discipline Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist
License/Certificate Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
State Department Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
State Department Hyperlink https://www.doe.mass.edu/licensure/academic-prek12/sgs/
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range All (PreK-12)
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
Licensure specific coursework Seminars or courses on, or demonstrated knowledge of, ways to prepare and maintain students with disabilities for general classrooms; for example, use of strategies for learning and of behavioral management principles.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Teacher candidates seeking to add an Initial or Professional license may document the SG&S process as evidence of the 150-hour internship required. Teacher candidates seeking to earn a Provisional level license must secure a 150-hour field-based experience in order to complete the SG&S process.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? General Curriculum (78) (Subtest 1: Language Arts and History/Social Science + Subtest 2: Mathematics, Science, and Technology/Engineering.)+ Foundations of Reading (190) (Reading (62) will also meet this requirement.).
Alternative Route Provisional or temporary
  1. Route One: For teacher candidates who complete a Massachusetts approved preparation program as set forth in 7.03. Teacher candidates seeking licensure under Route One shall meet the following requirements: (a) Bachelor's degree. (b) Completion of an approved program as set forth in 7.03. (c) Passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills test. (d) Passing score on the subject matter knowledge test(s) appropriate to the license sought, based on the subject matter knowledge requirements set forth in the Subject Matter Knowledge Guidelines.
  2. Route Two: Performance Review Program for Initial Licensure (PRPIL) process for teacher candidates who hold a Provisional license, are hired as teachers of record. The PRPIL process is through a Department approved provider. Candidates seeking licensure under Route Two shall meet the following eligibility requirements: (a) Possession of a Provisional license in the field and at the level of the license sought. See 603 CMR 7.04 (2) (a). (b) At least three full years of employment in the role of a Provisional license issued under 603 CMR 7.04(3)(a). (c) Documentation of seminars, courses, and experience relevant to the Professional Standards for Teachers in 603 7.08 (1) through (3). (d) A recommendation from the principal, superintendent or assistant superintendent of the current school/district where the candidate is employed under the Provisional license in the role of the license sought. (e) Completion of an induction and mentoring program as set forth under 603 CMR 7.12. (f) For core academic teachers, possession of an SEI Teacher Endorsement.
  3. Route Three: for candidates from outside Massachusetts. Candidates seeking licensure under this route shall meet the following requirements:
    1. Evidence of the following: i. Completion of a state-approved educator preparation program in a state with which Massachusetts has signed the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement or other agreement accepted by the Commissioner. ii. Completion of an educator preparation program sponsored by a college or university outside Massachusetts that has been accredited by a national organization accepted by the Commissioner. iii. Possession of the equivalent of at least an Initial license/certificate issued by a state with which Massachusetts has signed the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement or other agreement accepted by the Commissioner. iv. For educators prepared outside of the United States, completion of a Panel Review in accordance with Department guidelines.
    2. Passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills Test.
    3. Passing score on the subject matter knowledge test(s) appropriate to the license sought, where available, based on the subject matter knowledge requirements set forth in the Subject Matter Knowledge Guidelines.
    4. For core academic teachers, possession of an SEI Teacher Endorsement.

Early Childhood Educator

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Discipline Early Childhood Educator
License/Certificate Early Childhood: Teacher of Students With and Without Disabilities (PreK-2)
State Department Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
State Department Hyperlink https://www.doe.mass.edu/licensure/academic-prek12/default.html
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range PreK - 2nd grade
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? 300 hours (100 hours in PreK-K, 200 hours in 1-2; at least one setting must include children with disabilities)
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Early Childhood PreK–2: Early Childhood (72) + Foundations of Reading (190) (Reading (62) will also meet this requirement)
Alternative Route Provisional or temporary
  1. Route One: For teacher candidates who complete a Massachusetts approved preparation program as set forth in 7.03. Teacher candidates seeking licensure under Route One shall meet the following requirements: (a) Bachelor's degree. (b) Completion of an approved program as set forth in 7.03. (c) Passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills test. (d) Passing score on the subject matter knowledge test(s) appropriate to the license sought, based on the subject matter knowledge requirements set forth in the Subject Matter Knowledge Guidelines.
  2. Route Two: Performance Review Program for Initial Licensure (PRPIL) process for teacher candidates who hold a Provisional license, are hired as teachers of record. The PRPIL process is through a Department approved provider. Candidates seeking licensure under Route Two shall meet the following eligibility requirements: (a) Possession of a Provisional license in the field and at the level of the license sought. See 603 CMR 7.04 (2) (a). (b) At least three full years of employment in the role of a Provisional license issued under 603 CMR 7.04(3)(a). (c) Documentation of seminars, courses, and experience relevant to the Professional Standards for Teachers in 603 7.08 (1) through (3). (d) A recommendation from the principal, superintendent or assistant superintendent of the current school/district where the candidate is employed under the Provisional license in the role of the license sought. (e) Completion of an induction and mentoring program as set forth under 603 CMR 7.12. (f) For core academic teachers, possession of an SEI Teacher Endorsement.
  3. Route Three: for candidates from outside Massachusetts. Candidates seeking licensure under this route shall meet the following requirements: (a) Evidence of the following: i. Completion of a state-approved educator preparation program in a state with which Massachusetts has signed the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement or other agreement accepted by the Commissioner. ii. Completion of an educator preparation program sponsored by a college or university outside Massachusetts that has been accredited by a national organization accepted by the Commissioner. iii. Possession of the equivalent of at least an Initial license/certificate issued by a state with which Massachusetts has signed the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement or other agreement accepted by the Commissioner. iv. For educators prepared outside of the United States, completion of a Panel Review in accordance with Department guidelines.(b) Passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills Test. (c) Passing score on the subject matter knowledge test(s) appropriate to the license sought, where available, based on the subject matter knowledge requirements set forth in the Subject Matter Knowledge Guidelines. (d) For core academic teachers, possession of an SEI Teacher Endorsement.

Early Childhood Special Educator (Moderate Disabilities)

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Discipline Early Childhood Special Educator
License/Certificate Special Education Moderate Disabilities Pre-K to 2
State Department Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
State Department Hyperlink https://www.doe.mass.edu/licensure/academic-prek12/default.html
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range 3 yrs - 2nd grade
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? 300 hours (100 hours in PreK-K, 200 hours in 1-2; at least one setting must include children with disabilities)
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities: PreK–2 Early Childhood (72) + Foundations of Reading (190) (Reading (62) will also meet this requirement.) In addition, a Competency Review is required for a Provisional license.
Alternative Route Provisional or temporary
  1. Route One: For teacher candidates who complete a Massachusetts approved preparation program as set forth in 7.03. Teacher candidates seeking licensure under Route One shall meet the following requirements: (a) Bachelor's degree. (b) Completion of an approved program as set forth in 7.03. (c) Passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills test. (d) Passing score on the subject matter knowledge test(s) appropriate to the license sought, based on the subject matter knowledge requirements set forth in the Subject Matter Knowledge Guidelines.
  2. Route Two: Performance Review Program for Initial Licensure (PRPIL) process for teacher candidates who hold a Provisional license, are hired as teachers of record. The PRPIL process is through a Department approved provider. Candidates seeking licensure under Route Two shall meet the following eligibility requirements: (a) Possession of a Provisional license in the field and at the level of the license sought. See 603 CMR 7.04 (2) (a). (b) At least three full years of employment in the role of a Provisional license issued under 603 CMR 7.04(3)(a). (c) Documentation of seminars, courses, and experience relevant to the Professional Standards for Teachers in 603 7.08 (1) through (3). (d) A recommendation from the principal, superintendent or assistant superintendent of the current school/district where the candidate is employed under the Provisional license in the role of the license sought. (e) Completion of an induction and mentoring program as set forth under 603 CMR 7.12. (f) For core academic teachers, possession of an SEI Teacher Endorsement.
  3. Route Three: for candidates from outside Massachusetts. Candidates seeking licensure under this route shall meet the following requirements: (a) Evidence of the following: i. Completion of a state-approved educator preparation program in a state with which Massachusetts has signed the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement or other agreement accepted by the Commissioner. ii. Completion of an educator preparation program sponsored by a college or university outside Massachusetts that has been accredited by a national organization accepted by the Commissioner. iii. Possession of the equivalent of at least an Initial license/certificate issued by a state with which Massachusetts has signed the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement or other agreement accepted by the Commissioner. iv. For educators prepared outside of the United States, completion of a Panel Review in accordance with Department guidelines.(b) Passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills Test. (c) Passing score on the subject matter knowledge test(s) appropriate to the license sought, where available, based on the subject matter knowledge requirements set forth in the Subject Matter Knowledge Guidelines. (d) For core academic teachers, possession of an SEI Teacher Endorsement.

Early Childhood Special Educator (Severe Disabilities)

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Discipline Early Childhood Special Educator
License/Certificate Special Education Severe Disabilities: PreK-2
State Department Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
State Department Hyperlink https://www.doe.mass.edu/licensure/academic-prek12/default.html
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range 3 yrs - 2nd grade
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
Licensure specific coursework Seminars or courses on, or demonstrated knowledge of, ways to prepare and maintain students with disabilities for general classrooms; for example, use of strategies for learning and of behavioral management principles.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? At least 300 hours: 75 hours in an inclusive general education classroom at any level, and at least 150 hours in a setting with students with severe disabilities; the remaining 75 hours may be in either setting.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Passing score on the Foundations of Reading test. And Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities: PreK–2 Early Childhood (72). In addition, a Competency Review is required.
Alternative Route Provisional or temporary

Early Childhood Special Educator – Certified Early Intervention Specialist: Developmental Specialist

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Discipline Early Childhood Special Educator
License/Certificate Certified Early Intervention Specialist: Developmental Specialist
State Department Massachusetts Department of Public Health
State Department Hyperlink https://www.mass.gov/professional-development-for-ei-providers
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - 3 yrs
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework Are required to attend a two-day orientation training offered by the Department of Public Health. Besides having a bachelor's degree (experience with infants, toddlers, and families preferred), the applicant also needs to successfully complete at least 4 approved 3-credit courses that focus on infants, toddlers, and families.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? At least 300 hours of practicum/work experience with young children.

Family Therapist

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Discipline Family Therapist
License/Certificate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
State Department Massachusetts Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professionals, Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation
State Department Hyperlink https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-of-allied-mental-health-and-human-services-professions
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Master's or doctoral degree from a graduate program in the field of marriage and family therapy
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework 1. Three graduate level courses in each of the following content areas (Total courses required = nine):
  1. Marital and Family Studies. Family life cycle; sociology of the family; families under stress; the contemporary family; family in a social context; the cross-cultural family; and youth/adult/aging and the family; family subsystems; individual, interpersonal relationships (marital, parental, sibling).
  2. Marital and Family Therapy. Family therapy methodology; family assessment; treatment and intervention methods; overview of major clinical theories of marital and family therapy.
  3. Human Development. Human development; personality theory; human sexuality; psychopathology; behavior-pathology. One course in this category must be in
  4. psychopathology or its equivalent.
2. One graduate level course in each of the following content areas (Total courses required = 2):
  1. a. Professional Studies. Professional socialization and the role of the professional organization; legal responsibilities and liabilities; independent practice and inter-professional cooperation; ethics; family law.
  2. Research. Research design; methods; statistics; research in marital and family studies and therapy;
3. Clinical internship or practicum.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work?
A supervised internship or practicum in marriage and family therapy shall be included in the masters or doctoral program of study. The internship or practicum shall include a minimum of 300 hours of direct/face to face client contact with individuals, family groups, couples, groups or organizations (public or private) under the direction of an approved supervisor. The supervision shall consist of 100 face-to-face hours, of which 50 must be individual supervision. In addition, of the 100 hours of supervision, 25 hours must be supervision of direct observation or audio or videotape supervision.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? The Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards' National Marital and Family Therapy Examination is required.
Additional requirements specific to Part C? All professional staff members employed directly or indirectly by an early intervention program (includes salaried, contract/fee for services, or consultant/subcontract) are certified as Early Intervention Specialists by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health prior to billing for direct services. All staff is required to attend and participate in a 2-day orientation training offered by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Nurse

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Discipline Nurse
License/Certificate Registered Nurse
State Department Massachusetts Department of Public Health
State Department Hyperlink https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-in-nursing
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Associate's
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework Based on the Regulation 244 CMR 6.00: APPROVAL OF NURSING EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND THE GENERAL CONDUCT THEREOF Curriculum. (a) Program faculty shall develop a nursing curriculum plan which shall provide a variety of learning experiences consistent with the program's mission or philosophy and objectives or goals. The sciences, arts, humanities, and foundations of the profession, shall be an integral part of the nursing curriculum plan. (b) The curriculum shall: 1. extend over a period of time sufficient to provide essential, sequenced learning experiences which enable a student to develop nursing competence; 2. be based on an organized pattern of instruction consistent with principles of learning and educational practice; 3. provide instruction in the discipline of nursing, appropriate to the Registered Nurse level, across the lifespan and include content relevant to national and local health care needs; 4. be designed in accordance with generally accepted academic standards and credit hours for Registered Nursing programs; and 5. identify the level of student achievement expected at defined points in the program.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN); satisfactory to the Board that the candidate has passed the NCLEX-RN during the NCLEX
eligibility period.
Additional requirements specific to Part C? Meet the minimal requirement to work in the Early Intervention system as an Early Intervention specialist under an entry-level provisional certification. To receive advanced certification, acquiring additional practice hours in MDPH certified Early Intervention programs is needed. See ECSE-Developmental Specialist for the requirements of applying for advanced certification. The Early Intervention system is under the Department of Public Health. (a) A Bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited program, or (b) An associate degree or diploma in nursing from an accredited institution and at least two years of experience in community-based services for infants, toddlers, and their families.
Additional requirements specific for schools? Is called "School Nurse", under the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 3 years to Grade 12. Additional requirements:
  1. A bachelor's or master's degree in nursing.
  2. A minimum of two full years of employment as a Registered Nurse in child health, community health, or other relevant clinical nursing settings.
  3. Completion of an orientation program based on the requirements for delivery of school health services as defined by the Department of Public Health.
  4. Passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills test, 240.

Occupational Therapist

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Discipline Occupational Therapist
License/Certificate Occupational Therapist
State Department Massachusetts Board of Registration of Allied Health Professionals, The Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation
State Department Hyperlink https://www.mass.gov/allied-health-professionals-licensing
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Master's
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Successfully passed an examination approved by the board for licensure as an occupational therapist. Such examination shall be written and shall test the applicant's knowledge of the basic and clinical sciences related to the occupational therapy theory and practice, including the applicant's professional skills and judgments in the utilization of occupational therapy techniques and methods, and such other subjects as the board may deem useful to determine the applicant's fitness to act as an occupational therapist. The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc (NBCOT) OTR examination, score 450
Additional requirements specific to Part C? All professional staff members employed directly or indirectly by an early intervention program (includes salaried, contract/fee for services, or consultant/subcontract) are certified as Early Intervention Specialists by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health prior to billing for direct services. All staff are required to attend and participate in a 2-day orientation training offered by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Physical Therapist

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Discipline Physical Therapist
License/Certificate Physical Therapist
State Department Massachusetts Board of Registration of Allied Health Professionals, The Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation
State Department Hyperlink https://www.mass.gov/allied-health-professionals-licensing
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Completed an accredited/approved educational program for Physical Therapy.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? The examination for licensure currently approved by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, score 600
Additional requirements specific to Part C? All professional staff members employed directly or indirectly by an early intervention program (includes salaried, contract/fee for services, or consultant/subcontract) are certified as Early Intervention Specialists by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health prior to billing for direct services. All staff are required to attend and participate in a 2-day orientation training offered by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Psychologist

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Discipline Psychologist
License/Certificate Psychologists
State Department Massachusetts Board of Registration of Psychologists, Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation
State Department Hyperlink https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-of-psychologists
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Doctorate
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework The program is designated as a doctoral program in psychology by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards at the time the degree is granted or within two years thereafter. Receive instruction in scientific and professional ethics and standards, research design and methodology, statistics and psychometrics, and history of psychology, the core program shall require each student to demonstrate competence in each of the following substantive areas: 1. Biological Bases of Behavior: Physiological psychology, comparative psychology, neuropsychology, sensation and perception, psychopharmacology. 2. Cognitive - Affective Bases of Behavior: Learning, thinking, motivation, emotion. 3. Social Bases of Behavior: Social psychology, group processes, organizational and systems theory, issues of social/cultural diversity. 4. Individual Differences: Personality theory, human development, abnormal psychology. 5. Racial/Ethnic Bases of Behavior with a Focus on People of Color: Cross-cultural psychology, psychology, and social oppression, racism and psychology.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Internship or practicum or field placement experience of one year full-time shall fulfill a total of one year of pre-doctoral experience or employment if it is at least 1600 clock hours completed in not less than ten calendar months subsequent to the completion of one full academic year of graduate training. Practicum or field placement experience may be pro-rated toward meeting this requirement if each experience is at least four months in length and at least 16 hours per week.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Achieve passing scores on the national examination in psychology (500 or higher) and jurisprudence examinations (optional requirement determined by the Board). Did not specify what is the national examination in psychology -- but based on the education program requirement, may need Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP)" by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards."
Additional requirements specific to Part C? All professional staff members employed directly or indirectly by an early intervention program (includes salaried, contract/fee for services, or consultant/subcontract) are certified as Early Intervention Specialists by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health prior to billing for direct services. All staff are required to attend and participate in a 2-day orientation training offered by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

School Psychologist

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Discipline School Psychologist
License/Certificate School Psychologist
State Department Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
State Department Hyperlink https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-of-allied-mental-health-and-human-services-professions
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range 3 yrs - 12th grade
Degree Level Requirement Master's Degree, CAGS, or Doctoral Degree in School Psychology
Licensure specific coursework
A minimum of 60 credits of approved graduate course work: If an applicant's graduate degree program of study consisted of less than 60 credits of approved graduate course work, evidence of completion of graduate level courses outside of the degree program sufficient to meet the 60 credit approved courses requirement must be submitted to the Board for review and approval
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work?
Practicum/Internship experience consisting of a minimum of 1200 clock hours of supervised field placement. If an applicant's graduate degree program of study did not include a minimum of 1200 clock hours of supervised field placement, evidence of completion of additional hours of supervised field placement outside of the graduate degree program sufficient to meet the 1200 clock hour requirement must be submitted to the Board for review and approval.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam?
The examination for licensure as an educational psychologist shall be the National School Psychology Examination (ETS/NTE #40) of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) administered by Education Testing Service (ETS). NASP Certification as an NCSP is not required for licensure. The licensure examination is administered three times per year by ETS. For information on sites, dates of administration, and fees, contact ETS.

Social Worker – Licensed Clinical

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Discipline Social Worker
License/Certificate Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
State Department Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Workers, Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation
State Department Hyperlink https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-of-social-workers
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Master's or Doctoral
Licensure specific coursework First year studies include classes like; a) Behavioral Psychology; b) Research Methods and Quantitative Analysis; c) The History of social policy and social services; d) Macro social work practices; and e) Clinical diagnosis and treatment
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Pass the ASWB Master’s Exam. Each ASWB examination contains 170 multiple-choice questions and only 150 items will count toward the score
Additional requirements specific to Part C? Credentials for certification as an Early Intervention Specialist in Social work include: Current licensure as a LCSW or as a LICSW by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Workers. All professional staff members employed directly or indirectly by an early intervention program (includes salaried, contract/fee for services, or consultant/subcontract) are certified as Early Intervention Specialists by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health prior to billing for direct services. All staff are required to attend and participate in a 2-day orientation training offered by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Social Worker – Licensed Independent Clinical

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Discipline Social Worker
License/Certificate Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
State Department Board of Registration of Social Workers, the Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation (OCABR)
State Department Hyperlink https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-of-social-workers
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Master's
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Has passed the Clinical licensure examination administered by the Association of Social Work Boards. All ASWB examination scores are reported as pass/fail, with the number of questions needed to pass the examination, and because test questions change from one administration to the next, statistical adjustments must be made to account for small differences in the overall difficulty of individual examinations. Or its successor agency, or an equivalent examination as determined by the Board
Additional requirements specific to Part C? All professional staff members employed directly or indirectly by an early intervention program (includes salaried, contract/fee for services, or consultant/subcontract) are certified as Early Intervention Specialists by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health prior to billing for direct services. All staff are required to attend and participate in a 2-day orientation training offered by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Social Worker – Licensed Associate

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Discipline Social Worker
License/Certificate Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA)
State Department Board of Registration of Social Workers, the Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation (OCABR)
State Department Hyperlink https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-of-social-workers
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Associate's
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework
A minimum of 1000 hours of education in social work theory and methods in courses or programs approved by the Board
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Has attained the Associate level passing score on the Basic licensure examination administered by the Association of State Social Work Boards. All ASWB examination scores are reported as pass/fail, with the number of questions needed to pass the examination, and because test questions change from one administration to the next, statistical adjustments must be made to account for small differences in the overall difficulty of individual examinations. Or its successor agency, or an equivalent examination as determined by the Board.
Additional requirements specific to Part C? All professional staff members employed directly or indirectly by an early intervention program (includes salaried, contract/fee for services, or consultant/subcontract) are certified as Early Intervention Specialists by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health prior to billing for direct services. All staff are required to attend and participate in a 2-day orientation training offered by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Alternative Route Provisional or temporary State, county, and municipal employees are exempt from the examination and experience requirements necessary to become a licensed social work associate provided they have completed six months of employment as a social worker in a public agency and have passed equivalent civil service examinations or have satisfied the board that they can otherwise meet the examination or experience requirements for licensing as set forth in this section.

Social Worker – Licensed (LSW)

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Discipline Social Worker
License/Certificate Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
State Department Board of Registration of Social Workers, the Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation (OCABR)
State Department Hyperlink https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-of-social-workers
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work?
Minimum of 3500 hours of work experience over not less than two years in the provision of social work services as an employee of an agency, health care facility or unrelated
individual and under the direct supervision of an individual.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Has passed the Basic licensure examination administered by the Association of Social Work Boards. All ASWB examination scores are reported as pass/fail, with the number of questions needed to pass the examination, and because test questions change from one administration to the next, statistical adjustments must be made to account for small differences in the overall difficulty of individual examinations. Or its successor agency, or an equivalent examination as determined by the Board.
Additional requirements specific to Part C? All professional staff members employed directly or indirectly by an early intervention program (includes salaried, contract/fee for services, or consultant/subcontract) are certified as Early Intervention Specialists by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health prior to billing for direct services. All staff are required to attend and participate in a 2-day orientation training offered by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Alternative Route Provisional or temporary State, county, and municipal employees are exempt from the examination and experience requirements necessary to become a licensed social worker provided they have completed six months of employment in a public agency as a social worker and have passed equivalent civil service examinations or have satisfied the board that they can otherwise meet the examination or experience requirements for licensing as set forth in this act.

Social Worker – Licensed Certified

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Discipline Social Worker
License/Certificate Licensed Certified Social Worker
State Department Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Workers, Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation
State Department Hyperlink https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-of-social-workers
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Master's
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? The Intermediate licensure examination is administered by the Association of Social Work Boards. All ASWB examination scores are reported as pass/fail, with the number of questions needed to pass the examination, and because test questions change from one administration to the next, statistical adjustments must be made to account for small differences in the overall difficulty of individual examinations.
Additional requirements specific to Part C? All professional staff members employed directly or indirectly by an early intervention program (includes salaried, contract/fee for services, or consultant/subcontract) are certified as Early Intervention Specialists by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health prior to billing for direct services. All staff are required to attend and participate in a 2-day orientation training offered by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Social Worker – School Adjustment Counselor

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Discipline Social Worker
License/Certificate School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor
State Department Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
State Department Hyperlink https://www.doe.mass.edu/licensure/
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range All grades/levels: 3 yrs - 12th grade
Degree Level Requirement Master's
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework Course work and clinical experience that demonstrates knowledge of
  1. Principles of therapeutic relationships.
  2. Theories of normal and abnormal intellectual, social, and emotional development.
  3. Learning disorders, including emotional issues affecting student achievement, and their treatment.
  4. Prevention and treatment of substance abuse, physical and sexual abuse, and violence in PreK-12 students.
  5. Knowledge of state-of-the-art diagnostic instruments; procedures for testing and interpreting results.
  6. Techniques for communicating and working with families and school and community personnel.
  7. Knowledge of the criminal justice system with particular reference to the juvenile justice system and organizations.
  8. Knowledge of medical conditions and medication related to physical disabilities and learning disorders.
  9. Federal and state laws and regulations addressing the legal rights of students and families.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Completion of a supervised and mentored 900-hour internship specifically in the role of an SSW/SAC, working with children, adolescents, and families successfully demonstrating competency in performing the roles, responsibilities, and subject matter knowledge of a School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Requires a passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills test (Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure), a scaled score of 240.

Speech Language Pathologist

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Discipline Speech-Language Pathologist
License/Certificate Speech-Language Pathologist
State Department Massachusetts Board of Registration in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology; the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
State Department Hyperlink https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-for-speech-language-pathology-and-audiology
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Master's, doctoral, or other recognized post-baccalaureate degree
Licensure specific coursework The applicant must have completed a program of study (a minimum of 36 semester credit hours at the graduate level) that includes academic coursework and supervised clinical experience sufficient in depth and breadth to achieve the specified knowledge and skills outcomes
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? The applicant must complete a minimum of 400 clock hours of supervised clinical experience in the practice of speech-language pathology. Twenty-five hours must be spent in guided clinical observation, and 375 hours must be spent in direct client/patient contact.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam?
A) The Praxis II Speech-Language Pathology exam (5331) passing score of 162. B) Passing scores on both components (reading and writing subtests) of the Communication and Literacy Skills test. *Note that two alternative assessments have been approved and administered after October 2020 through June 30, 2024. Passing scores should equate to a cut score (or higher) established by the Commissioner that satisfies the corresponding component of the Communication and Literacy Skills test: 1) A passing score on the ETS Praxis Core subtests: a) Massachusetts Communication and Literacy Praxis Test: Reading (5714) passing score of 156; and b) Massachusetts Communication and Literacy Praxis Test: Writing (5724) passing score 162. 2) National Evaluation Series - Essential Academic Skills (NES-EAS)- Reading and/or Writing subtest
Additional requirements specific to Part C? All staff are required to attend and participate in a 2-day orientation training offered by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Credentials for certification as an Early Intervention Specialist in Speech and Language Pathology include (a) Current licensure by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) granted by the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association, or (b) Currently in clinical fellowship year prior to being granted a CCC can provide Part C services.
Additional requirements specific for schools? Educator Licensure as a Specialist Teacher in Speech Language requires a completed clinical practicum within your master's degree in speech-language pathology that included at least 100 on-site hours in a public school or an approved private school setting.

Vision Specialist

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Discipline Vision Specialist
License/Certificate Teacher of the Visually Impaired
State Department Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
State Department Hyperlink https://www.doe.mass.edu/licensure/academic-prek12/sgs/
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range All (Pre K - 12th grade)
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
Licensure specific coursework Seminars or courses on, or demonstrated knowledge of, ways to prepare and maintain students with disabilities for general classrooms; for example, use of strategies for learning and of behavioral management principles.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? 300 hours (150 hours at each of any two of the following levels: PreK-6, 5-8, 8-12)
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Teacher of the Visually Impaired: General Curriculum (78) (Subtest 1: Language Arts and History/Social Science + Subtest 2: Mathematics, Science, and Technology/Engineering.) + Foundations of Reading(190).(Reading (62) will also meet this requirement). In addition, a Competency Review is required.
Alternative Route Provisional or temporary
  1. Route One: For teacher candidates who complete a Massachusetts approved preparation program as set forth in 7.03. Teacher candidates seeking licensure under Route One shall meet the following requirements: (a) Bachelor's degree. (b) Completion of an approved program as set forth in 7.03. (c) Passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills test. (d) Passing score on the subject matter knowledge test(s) appropriate to the license sought, based on the subject matter knowledge requirements set forth in the Subject Matter Knowledge Guidelines.
  2. Route Two: Performance Review Program for Initial Licensure (PRPIL) process for teacher candidates who hold a Provisional license, are hired as teachers of record. The PRPIL process is through a Department approved provider. Candidates seeking licensure under Route Two shall meet the following eligibility requirements: (a) Possession of a Provisional license in the field and at the level of the license sought. See 603 CMR 7.04 (2) (a). (b) At least three full years of employment in the role of a Provisional license issued under 603 CMR 7.04(3)(a). (c) Documentation of seminars, courses, and experience relevant to the Professional Standards for Teachers in 603 7.08 (1) through (3). (d) A recommendation from the principal, superintendent or assistant superintendent of the current school/district where the candidate is employed under the Provisional license in the role of the license sought. (e) Completion of an induction and mentoring program as set forth under 603 CMR 7.12. (f) For core academic teachers, possession of an SEI Teacher Endorsement.
  3. Route Three: for candidates from outside Massachusetts. Candidates seeking licensure under this route shall meet the following requirements: (a) Evidence of the following: i. Completion of a state-approved educator preparation program in a state with which Massachusetts has signed the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement or other agreement accepted by the Commissioner. ii. Completion of an educator preparation program sponsored by a college or university outside Massachusetts that has been accredited by a national organization accepted by the Commissioner. iii. Possession of the equivalent of at least an Initial license/certificate issued by a state with which Massachusetts has signed the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement or other agreement accepted by the Commissioner. iv. For educators prepared outside of the United States, completion of a Panel Review in accordance with Department guidelines.(b) Passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills Test. (c) Passing score on the subject matter knowledge test(s) appropriate to the license sought, where available, based on the subject matter knowledge requirements set forth in the Subject Matter Knowledge Guidelines. (d) For core academic teachers, possession of an SEI Teacher Endorsement.