Michigan Credential Guide
English as a Second Language (NS) Endorsement, PK-12 Requirements in Michigan
Issued by Michigan Department of Education.
Michigan’s NS endorsement has a testing route, clinical-experience expectations and an out-of-state review path. The route you use affects which evidence you need.
Official sources reviewed . Requirements can change, so confirm your route with the issuing agency before enrolling.
Michigan Endorsement Evidence
Program Completion and Out-of-State Recognition Are Separate Routes
Michigan allows an added ESL endorsement through a recognized endorsement program and the relevant MTTC, or through recognition of an endorsement on a qualifying standard out-of-state certificate with additional evidence. Its published ESL test is MTTC 126.
Ask the provider to identify its recognized ESL endorsement program, MTTC preparation and the supervised student-contact requirement for your teaching-experience level.
Check that your prior endorsement appears on a valid or expired standard teaching certificate. Michigan does not accept temporary or non-renewable certificates for this route; testing or qualifying experience may still be required.
Create the addition application in MOECS. Clinical requirements vary by experience, so ask for your individual requirement rather than assuming one fieldwork-hour total.
Michigan Department of Education, checked September 29, 2026: adding an endorsement, active endorsements and MTTC and clinical-experience rules.
Michigan Requirements
Start With Your Existing Teaching Certificate
Michigan evaluates a current Michigan certificate or a qualifying standard out-of-state certificate and endorsement for the add-on route.
Certificate status
Michigan's add-on route is for an educator with an existing Michigan teaching certificate or a qualifying standard out-of-state certificate and endorsement.
Michigan Requirements
Check Testing and Supervised Experience Together
The state identifies MTTC 126 and clinical-experience guidance. Ask your preparation provider how your route satisfies both.
MTTC testing
Michigan identifies MTTC test 126 for the English as a Second Language endorsement. Testing can vary by preparation and out-of-state route, so confirm the requirement before registering.
Clinical experience
Michigan's clinical-experience guidance generally requires 30 supervised student-contact hours for an additional endorsement. Experienced teachers may qualify for a provider's competency evaluation route.
Michigan Requirements
Out-of-State Experience Can Change the Test Review
Michigan describes a review path for educators with a qualifying out-of-state endorsement and successful teaching under it.
Out-of-state evaluation
Michigan evaluates qualifying standard out-of-state teaching certificates and endorsements. Applicants with three years of successful teaching under the endorsement may qualify without the corresponding Michigan test.
Michigan Requirements
Renew the Teaching Certificate
The endorsement follows the underlying certificate, so include certificate renewal in your plan.
Renewal
The endorsement renews with the underlying teaching certificate. Michigan's standard teaching certificate is valid for five years, and renewal generally requires 150 hours of education-related professional learning.