Maryland CTE Certification

CTE Teacher Certification
in Maryland — 2026 Guide

Every Praxis exam, MSDE requirement, and edTPA transition detail for Career and Technical Education teachers in Maryland. Built by a Largo High School CTE instructor preparing for the same exams.

MSDE SCORE RECIPIENT CODE: 7403 — Required at every Praxis registration

ALERT

Maryland edTPA Transition — September 1, 2026

Maryland is replacing the PPAT with edTPA starting September 1, 2026. CTE candidates who have not completed the PPAT by August 31 will need to complete edTPA. PLT and content Praxis exams are unaffected by this change.

Required Praxis Exams for CTE Teachers

Passing scores required for Maryland CTE certification as of 2026.

Code	Exam	Pass Score	CTE Area	Notes
5355	Business Education	160	Business & Finance	Covers business management, marketing, finance, accounting, and information systems.
5624	PLT Grades 7-12	157	Pedagogy (Required)	Principles of Learning and Teaching — required for most 7-12 CTE certifications.
5165	Special Ed: Core	157	Special Education	Required if pursuing special education CTE combination certification.
5713	Core Reading	156	Core Academic Skills	May be waived with 3.0+ GPA on most recent degree.
5723	Core Writing	162	Core Academic Skills	May be waived with 3.0+ GPA on most recent degree.

How to Get CTE Teacher Certification in Maryland

The five-step pathway to Maryland CTE certification through MSDE.

Complete a degree program
Earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. CTE certification may allow industry experience in lieu of a traditional education degree in some pathways.
Pass required Praxis exams
Pass the content-area Praxis for your CTE subject (e.g., 5355 for Business Education) and the PLT Grades 7-12 (5624). Add MSDE Score Recipient Code 7403 at every registration.
Complete a student teaching requirement
Complete supervised student teaching or an approved alternative clinical experience in your CTE subject area.
Submit your application to MSDE
Apply for certification through the Maryland Educator Certification portal at mdcertification.msde.maryland.gov. Submit all transcripts, test scores, and clinical experience documentation.
Complete edTPA or PPAT (if required)
New candidates must complete the performance assessment requirement. Through August 31, 2026, either PPAT or edTPA is accepted. From September 1, 2026, edTPA is required.

Maryland CTE Certification Rules

Minimum Wait

28 days

Between any two Praxis attempts

Score Validity

10 years

Praxis scores valid from test date

GPA Exemption

3.0+ GPA

May exempt Core Academic Skills exams

Frequently Asked Questions

What Praxis exam do CTE Business teachers need in Maryland?

CTE Business teachers in Maryland are required to pass Praxis Business Education (exam code 5355) with a passing score of 160. This exam covers business management, marketing, finance, and information technology for secondary CTE educators.

Do CTE teachers in Maryland need to take the PLT exam?

Yes, most Maryland CTE teachers must also pass a Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) exam in addition to their content-area Praxis. For grades 7-12 CTE educators, this is the PLT Grades 7-12 (exam code 5624) with a passing score of 157.

What is the MSDE score recipient code for Maryland CTE certification?

The MSDE score recipient code is 7403 for all Maryland teacher certifications, including CTE pathways. Select this code at every Praxis registration to ensure your scores are sent to the Maryland State Department of Education.

How does the edTPA transition affect CTE teachers in Maryland?

Starting September 1, 2026, Maryland is replacing the PPAT with edTPA as the required performance assessment for new teacher candidates, including CTE teachers. CTE candidates who have not completed the PPAT by August 31, 2026 will need to complete edTPA instead.

Can CTE teachers in Maryland get a GPA exemption from Core Praxis exams?

Yes, Maryland allows a GPA exemption from Core Academic Skills exams (Reading 5713, Writing 5723, Math 5733) for candidates with a 3.0 or higher GPA on their most recently earned degree. However, content-area and PLT exams are still required.

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