School of Education Licensure
How do I get a teacher's license?
✅ Step 1: Set Up Your MECCA Profile
You must create and fully complete your profile in the Mississippi Educator Career Continuum Archive (MECCA) during the admission process.
Setting up your profile early helps prevent delays when applying for your Pre-Service Teacher License.
✔️ Profile Setup Tips
- Enter your Social Security Number (SSN).
The Mississippi Department of Education uses the last four digits to match your test scores (Praxis, PLT, Foundations of Reading). - Provide two email addresses.
- Primary email: Used for official communication
- Secondary email: Used for account recovery
- Do not use your Carey email address.
You will lose access after graduation and may be unable to log in later. - Complete every section.
Your profile must be 100% complete before you can be enrolled for licensure recommendation.
Incomplete profiles will delay your progress.
🎓 Pre-Service Teacher License
After you are admitted into a licensure-track program, the Educator Preparation Provider (EPP) will submit a request for your Pre-Service Teacher License in accordance with the Guidelines for Mississippi Educator Licensure K–12.
The EPP will help you understand the licensure process and ensure you complete all required steps, including obtaining a cleared criminal background check.
⭐ Why the Pre-Service Teacher License Is Important
A valid, state-issued Pre-Service Teacher License is required before you may participate in any clinical experiences in a Mississippi-accredited school.
Clinical experiences include:
- Classroom observations
- Student teaching
- Residency placements
- Other field-based activities
Important: Candidates who do not obtain the required license may be denied clinical placement opportunities and will not be eligible for the Five-Year Standard Renewable License.
⚡ MECCA System Benefits
Holding a Pre-Service Teacher License allows the Mississippi Educator Career Continuum Archive (MECCA) system to automatically generate certain required documentation.
This helps streamline the process of obtaining your Five-Year Standard Renewable License after completing your program.
🧾 Praxis Exams and MECCA Matching
To help ensure your licensure records are processed correctly:
- Make sure your Social Security Number is attached to your Praxis registration.
- The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) uses this information to match your Praxis scores to your MECCA profile.
Required Exams
Elementary Education (K–6)
- (5017) Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
- (890) Mississippi Foundations of Reading
Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT)
- Early Childhood (5622)
- Secondary (5624)
Secondary Subject Areas
- English (5038)
- Mathematics (5165)
- Social Studies (5081)
📩 Questions About Licensure?
Jon Greer
Licensure Coordinator
📧 licensure@wmcarey.edu
✅ Licensure Recommendation Process
Follow these steps to complete your licensure recommendation and application.
📝 Step 1 — Submit Recommendation Request
Complete the Recommendation Request for Licensure below.
📄 Step 2 — Order Official Transcripts
Order your official transcripts through Parchment and have them sent to:
📧 transcript@mdek12.org
Before ordering, confirm:
✔ Your degree has been conferred
✔ Final grades are posted on your official transcript (not Canvas)
✔ Any business holds are cleared
⚠️ Ordering transcripts too early or with holds may delay licensure processing.
⏳ Step 3 — Wait for Your Recommendation
- Recommendations are processed in the order received
- Typical processing time is 2–4 weeks
Processing may be delayed if the following are missing:
- Praxis scores
- Official transcripts
- Required documentation
👉 If your recommendation is not visible after three weeks, contact licensure@wmcarey.edu.
👉 Some delays may occur due to Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) processing times.
💻 Step 4 — Complete Your MECCA Application
After receiving notification that your recommendation has been submitted:
1️⃣ Log in to MECCA
2️⃣ Select Applications
3️⃣ Complete required sections:
- Character Traits Analysis
- Verification of Lawful Presence
- Degree Application
✔ Instructions are provided within MECCA.
🏛️ Step 5 — Work Directly with MDE
After submitting your application, you will communicate directly with the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) regarding your license.
⭐ William Carey University recommends candidates but does not issue licenses.
⭐ Technical issues must be addressed with MDE.
Add Endorsements
Endorsements are added after your license is issued. For approved programs, submit another recommendation request. For regular programs, submit a request through your MECCA account.
“AA” Endorsement
The “AA” endorsement may be added only after you receive your five-year license and your master’s degree has been conferred.