MTEL Admission Requirements for Licensure Programs

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Communication and Literacy Tests Requirement in MA

On  April 28, 2026, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) approved a set of changes to the regulations for Educator Licensure and Preparation Program Approval (603 CMR 7.00), allowing all UMass Amherst Licensure Program Candidates ability to waive the Massachusetts Test of Educator Licensure (MTEL) Communication and Literacy Skills test (CLST), satisfying criterion for this alternative pathway upon completion of their respective UMass licensure program.

The new pathway is applicable only for the Communication and Literacy Skills test. There is no comparable pathway for waiving subject matter knowledge licensure tests at this time; however, the approved alternative assessments continue to be available.  

Looking Ahead: This pathway will be available for three years, during which time the Department will conduct an independent evaluation of its efficacy, similar to the evaluation of the alternative assessment pilot. By June 30, 2029, BESE will determine whether to continue this pathway based on the results of the evaluation. 

Please visit the UMass Amherst Educator Preparation Office for more MTEL information and resources.  

In addition, all candidates in most licensure areas must pass the appropriate Subject Matter Test to become licensed educators.

  1. MTEL Communication and Literacy (01): Visit this page for more information.
     
  2. ETS - Praxis Core (Massachusetts Communication and Literacy Praxis Test). The two subtests required for the Massachusetts Communication and Literacy Praxis Test are:

    -Massachusetts Communication and Literacy Praxis Test: Reading
    -Massachusetts Communication and Literacy Praxis Test: Writing

    The Praxis Core Mathematics subtest is not required for the purposes of the alternative. Please use this link for more information and to register for this assessment. The specific Massachusetts link for registration will be: https://www.mtel.nesinc.com/PageView.aspx?f=GEN_Tests.html.
  3. NES - National Evaluation Series - Essential Academic Skills (NES-EAS)

    The two subtests required for the NES-EAS are: 

    -NES-EAS: Reading
    -NES-EAS: Writing

    Please use this link for more information and to register for this assessment. 
     
  4. Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA)

    The two subtests required for the MoGEA are:

    -MoGEA: Reading Comprehension and Interpretation subtest
    -MoGEA: Writing subtest

    Please use this link for more information and to register for this assessment. Testing availability begins September 13, 2021. The MoGEA is offered via online proctoring only.
     
  5. Washington Educator Skills Tests (WEST-B)

The two subtests required for the WEST-B are:

  • WEST-B: Reading subtest
  • WEST-B: Writing subtest

Please use this link for more information and to register for this assessment. Testing availability begins September 13, 2021. The WEST-B is offered via online proctoring only. 
 

Candidate Eligibility: All candidates required to take the CLST MTEL can take one of the above assessments approved by the Department. The assessment may have been taken, or be taken, any time between when the pilot was approved by BESE on October 20, 2020 through the end of the pilot on June 30, 2024. As candidates register and take these alternative assessments, results will be electronically and securely sent to the Department. Please keep in mind that if a candidate previously passed one of the above tests after October 20, 2020, they will need to contact the applicable vendor above and arrange to have their score electronically and securely sent to the Department. There may be a fee associated with this request. 

Admission To Educator Licensure Programs

In addition to meeting other University, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, and individual program admissions criteria, undergraduate students must achieve a passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills Test* of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) prior to admission into educator preparation programs.

Post-baccalaureate and graduate students will be required to achieve a passing score on the MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills Test early in their program of study (normally in their first semester and prior to the practicum).

 *For an evaluation period until June 30, 2029, DESE will allow licensure candidates who meet certain criteria to waive the Communications & Literacy Skills test. See this FAQ from DESE to see whether you qualify for this waiver: 

Admission To Practicum

In addition to meeting other preparation program requirements, each student in a program for which there is an MTEL Subject Matter Test must pass the appropriate Subject Matter Test as a prerequisite for enrolling in his or her practicum. (If the student's program requires two practicums, the student must pass the Subject Matter Test before his or her second practicum begins.) Students seeking licensure in Early Childhood, Elementary, or Special Education are also required to pass the Foundations of Reading Test.

For Further Information

Further information concerning these policies may be obtained by contacting the edprep-help [at] umass [dot] edu (Educator Preparation Office).