How to become a paraprofessional in Maryland.

To become a paraprofessional in Maryland, you’ll need to understand and meet the state requirements. This will include a minimum education level and a background check.

Keep in mind that individual districts may establish their own requirements beyond what the state mandates. Typically, the specific requirements for a paraeducator are listed in the job description.

Requirements to be a paraprofessional or paraeducator in Maryland.*:

• 18 years or older
• High school diploma or equivalent (e.g., GED)
• Meet one of the following:
  • Obtain an associate degree or higher.
  • Complete two years of higher education, equaling 48 credits.
  • Pass an approved paraprofessional assessment. Several assessments are available in Maryland, including ParaPathways, ParaPro (sunsetting in August 2026), Foundations of Classroom Support, and Foundations of Classroom Support and Instruction. 
  • Obtain a Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate.
    
• Background check
• Fingerprinting

What will I do as a paraprofessional in Maryland?

In this role, you’ll provide essential support to students with special needs. At Kelly Education, we refer to this essential education role as a paraeducator. Like “paralegal” and “paramedic,” this term highlights the professional nature of the field of work. School districts often call this role a paraprofessional, parapro, or teacher’s aide.

Note that you should get started on steps as soon as possible because the time associated with completing some steps is out of your control. For example, at certain times of the year, processing background checks takes longer due to volume. It’s best to get that requirement completed as soon as possible.

Education verification.

To become a paraprofessional in Maryland, you’ll need to provide proof of your education. This is typically a transcript from the school that represents your highest education level.

Some school districts will accept a high school diploma instead of a transcript. If a college transcript is required, there is often a fee for each request, generally around $10 to $15.

As noted above, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) requires all paraprofessionals working in Title I schoolwide and targeted assistance programs to have a high school degree or equivalent. You also have to either have some college, a passing score on an assessment, or Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate. 

A new pathway: The CDA certificate.

Maryland recently introduced the CDA certificate for budding paraprofessionals. If you don’t have an associate degree, this certificate can provide the education and skills to get started in the field. Courses can range from $1,000 to $1,300, plus books, registration fees, and assessment costs. The path to CDA certification requires:

• 480 hours of professional experience working with children ages 3 to 5 in a center-based or similar program setting.
• 120 hours of formal early childhood education related to your work setting (infant/toddler, preschool, or family childcare), including at least 10 hours in each of the eight CDA subject areas.
• A meeting with a CDA professional development specialist to review your portfolio and observe your work.

Once you reach the eligibility requirements, complete the CDA verification visit, and pass the CDA exam, the department will review and determine a credentialing decision.

Employment verification.

Like all jobs, you'll need to be prepared to verify your legal eligibility to work in the U.S. to start as a paraprofessional in Maryland. To complete this step, you’ll submit an I-9 form with valid identification credentials. This form can be completed in just a few minutes.

Pass a background check.

Maryland districts require school employees to submit a complete background investigation. This typically checks eight components on state and national levels, including fingerprints, Child Protective Services, the sex offender registry, and the criminal registry.

Walk-in fingerprinting services are available at the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) storefront in Baltimore. You can also schedule an appointment at several Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) buildings throughout the state. Fingerprinting often costs between $30 and $50 in Maryland.

Do I need work experience?

Whether you’ll need work experience to become a paraeducator in Maryland depends on the route you take. If you opt for the CDA certificate, you’ll need 480 hours of work experience in a center-based or similar setting.

Even if you meet the educational requirements, working in an after-school program, daycare, or similar role can help you gain practical experience while strengthening your application. You can showcase essential qualities, such as how to interact with students and support learning.

Some districts prefer that paraprofessionals have previous experience in a similar work environment. Reviewing job postings early can help you understand how to become a paraprofessional or paraeducator in Maryland, including what experience specific districts are looking for.

Will I need training?

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), paraprofessionals must receive appropriate training to work with students who have special needs. While Maryland doesn’t require a special license, school districts often provide this training either before employment or as part of the onboarding process.

Earning First Aid and CPR certification is another beneficial step. Regardless of your role, the ability to respond in emergencies is essential for maintaining student and classroom safety. These certifications are only required for supervisory teachers in Maryland. Still, if you’re interested in becoming certified, it usually costs between $37 and $200.

Get online paraeducator training from Kelly Education.

Kelly Education takes pride in providing well-trained paraeducators to hundreds of schools across the country. Using our ground-breaking LEARN standards, our instructional designers and special education experts collaborated to develop foundational training that is essential for success.

The Paraeducator Path covers such important topics as:

Paraeducator 101 - Role and basic responsibilities across social, behavioral, physical, academic, safety, and ADL support. Understanding IEP implementation and legal foundations.

Foundations of Instruction - Techniques for differentiated instruction, explicit teaching, multi-sensory learning, modeling, and using adapted tools to support diverse learners.

Supporting Behavior - Student and personal safety, BIP implementation, and supporting students' emotional intelligence and self-regulatory skills.

Be the most prepared you can be on day one with your students. This training will set your expectations—and elevate your performance. It’s also recommended for paraeducators who didn’t receive training as part of their school district onboarding experience.

Learn more about our interactive, self-paced training.