Are you passionate about hands-on learning and preparing students for real-world careers? Professional and Technical Education, or PTE, teachers help students turn interests into opportunities. By teaching in a school's Career & Technical Education Program (CTE), you'll help students build the skills to thrive in fields like healthcare, IT, manufacturing, media arts, marketing, agriculture and more.
You may see the acronyms CTE, PTE, and SAFA used. PTE stands for Professional and Technical Education, and is the term we’ll use when describing the license you obtain to teach these professional skills classes. CTE refers to the fields themselves. Similarly, SAFA is short for Specialized Area of Fine Arts.
Why teach CTE?
- Make an impact: Help students discover future careers that lead directly to high-demand jobs and bright futures.
- Multiple pathways to a teaching license: There are flexible license options, even if you don’t have a bachelor’s degree.
- Strong demand: Maryland schools are looking for passionate CTE teachers just like you!
- Great benefits: CTE teachers enjoy full benefits and retirement plans, plus competitive pay and benefits over the long term.
Do I need a license to teach CTE?
To teach in a Career and Technical Education field, you need three things:
- Real-world experience in your field,
- A job at a Maryland public school to teach in the field, and
- A teaching license with a Professional and Technical Education or Specialized Area of Fine Arts teaching endorsement. Learn more about the requirements here!
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I Choose to Teach CTE: Inspiring the Next Generation
Pathways to the Classroom
Approved Licensure Program
If you have a bachelor’s degree, you can complete a state-approved teacher prep program in Maryland or another state. Currently, Maryland doesn’t offer approved Professional and Technical Education programs, but there are programs in specific PTE fields, such as agriculture, business education and technology education. You can seek an endorsement in any of the currently available license areas.
Out-of-State License
If you already hold a Professional and Technical Education license from another state or country, you may be eligible for a similar Maryland license. This may be called a Career and Technical Education license in other states.
National Board Certification
If you have a National Board Certification in Career and Technical Education, you may qualify for an advanced professional license in Maryland.
Occupational Experience Pathway
If you have industry experience, this pathway lets you turn your career experience into a teaching career. Most people with real-world experience use this route. Learn more about this pathway.
CTE Teaching Fields for Future Teachers
- 1
Arts, Entertainment, and Design
Teach students about: how to combine creative abilities and technical skills and how to effectively communicate across digital channels.
Perfect for you if: you’ve worked in graphic design, performing arts or creative technologies and want to inspire young learners.
- 2
Construction and Development
Teach students about: innovative design, construction and maintenance of buildings.
Perfect for you if: you are passionate about advancements in construction technologies or have worked in the construction trades.
- 3
Digital Technology
Teach students about: working with clients and businesses on software and hardware, and exploring software development, programming and IT technologies.
Perfect for you if: you’ve worked in IT—such as cybersecurity, programming or cloud services—and want to share your real-world experience with students.
- 4
Energy and Natural Resources
Teach students about: farming, animal care, plant science, food systems and environmental conservation.
Perfect for you if: you love hands-on learning and have worked in agriculture, natural resources, forestry or environmental science.
- 5
Healthcare and Human Services
Teach students about: the principles of patient care, medical technology, health careers and wellness.
Perfect for you if: you have a background in healthcare and want to inspire the next generation of nurses, techs and providers.
- 6
Management and Entrepreneurship
Teach students about: business operations, entrepreneurship, marketing, finance and leadership.
Perfect for you if: you’ve run a business, worked in finance or bring real workplace know-how that could inspire the next generation.
- 7
Public Service and Safety
Teach students about: working in public service roles, handling civil cases and finding innovative solutions in homeland security.
Perfect for you if: you’ve worked in security or emergency services and are passionate about inspiring the next generation of public servants.
- 8
More CTE Teaching Fields
There are more fields for CTE educators, such as
- Hospitality, Events, and Tourism,
- Education,
- Financial Services,
- Marketing and Sales and
- Supply Chain and Transportation.
You can view all of Maryland's CTE programs in their guide.
How to Earn Your PTE License
- 1
Get hired by a school district
Apply for a teaching position in your field at a Maryland school. Once you’re hired, the school will request your Professional and Technical Education endorsement. This isn't something you can do on your own.
- 2
Verify your work experience
Provide documentation of your career experience, including employer verification and a summary of your job duties.
The Occupational Experience pathway requires one the following:
- Three years of relevant experience in the area you want to teach. This can include working in the industry or teaching that subject at a college or training program, or
- Two years of experience plus a recognized industry credential, or
- Two years of experience plus an associate degree.
An approved industry-recognized credential has specific qualities that are reviewed carefully by the state. Here’s a list of some common state-approved industry-recognized credentials, including cosmetology licenses, QuickBooks certifications and certified healthcare credentials.
- 3
Complete professional education coursework
You will need to take some classes that will help you lead your classroom. You need to complete 12 college credits or an approved training that teaches you how to be a teacher. These classes will cover:
- How to plan lessons, teach them and grade students
- How to manage a classroom
- How to teach students with different learning needs
- How to help students read and write in your subject area
Many CTE teachers complete this coursework while teaching!
Currently, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore offers all 12 required credits at both the undergraduate & graduate levels.
Approved training can be substituted for college classes and is offered by the Maryland State Department of Education’s Continuing Professional Development courses.
- 4
Earn your initial professional teaching license with a PTE endorsement
If you’re coming from your industry, you can start teaching while you finish the required professional education coursework. Once your experience and coursework are verified, you’ll receive your Maryland initial professional teaching license with a Professional and Technical Education endorsement. This officially allows you to teach in Maryland public schools!
FAQs
Ready to take the next step?
Talk to a TEACH Maryland coach and take your first step toward teaching a CTE subject. With 1-on-1 and group advising, we’ve got flexible options to fit your life.
