Requirements/Massachusetts
ESL Teacher in Massachusetts.
Two exams.
- Exams
- 2
- Passing
- 240
- Certificate
- English as a Second Language (PreK-6 or 5-12)
The exams you have to pass
In the order most candidates take them.
01
MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills (Reading and Writing)101/201
Two subtests, each passed separately. Required for every Massachusetts license.
Pass240
02
MTEL English as a Second Language54
Pass240
What people get wrong
Each of these costs a candidate either money or a test date.
- Massachusetts accepts approved alternatives to Communication and Literacy Skills, including the NES Essential Academic Skills subtests. Check what your programme will take before you register.
- Massachusetts also has a Sheltered English Immersion test (56), which supports the SEI endorsement many teachers need. It is a different requirement from the ESL license.
Required, but not an exam
- A bachelor’s degree
- An approved educator preparation program or an alternative route
- Application through the Massachusetts DESE Office of Educator Licensure
Now go pass them.
Knowing the list is the easy part. Built To Pass teaches the strategy layer that works on any of these, aimed at the domains where you are actually losing points.
Start with your examVerified 2026-08-04 against Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (mtel.nesinc.com) and DESE. Certification rules change by state board vote. Confirm with the state before you register for a test.