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TESOL 2024-03-11T06:29:25-06:00

TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)


A. Beginning Teacher Pathway

Teacher candidates seeking to add a TESOL endorsement to an initial level 1 teaching license shall meet the following requirements:

  • Passage of the following PRAXIS exam in English to Speakers of Other Languages ESOL 5362, or a department-approved licensure test in TESOL from another state; and 
  • Complete a minimum of 24 hours in TESOL coursework in alignment with the key competencies defined in TESOL NMAC

  • 12 hours shall be upper division or post-baccalaureate credits in alignment with the key competencies defined in TESOL NMAC

B. Teacher with Existing License Pathway

Teachers seeking to add the endorsement to an existing teaching license shall meet either the requirement of Paragraph (1) of Subsection B of 6.64.11.8 NMAC or the requirements of Paragraph (2) of Subsection B of 6.64.11.8 NMAC.

Option 1

  • Passage of the following PRAXIS exam in English to Speakers of Other Languages ESOL 5362, or  a department-approved licensure test in TESOL from another state, or a predecessor New Mexico teacher licensure examination in TESOL; and

  • Earn 12 semester hours of credit in TESOL
    (i) Six hours shall be in one language other than English or any combination of coursework in applied linguistics, second language acquisition, or second/foreign language teaching methodology.
    (ii) Six hours shall be upper division or post-baccalaureate credits in alignment with the key competencies defined in TESOL NMAC

Option 2

  • Earn a minimum of 24 semester hours of credit in TESOL in alignment with the key competencies defined in TESOL NMAC
    (i) Six hours shall be in one language other than English or any combination of coursework in applied linguistics, second language acquisition, or second/foreign language teaching methodology.
    (ii) Six hours shall be upper division or post-baccalaureate credits in alignment with the key competencies defined in TESOL NMAC

C.  Licensed teachers with TESOL certification from the national board for professional learning standards shall pass the following PRAXIS exam in English to Speakers of Other Languages ESOL 5362, or a department-approved licensure test in TESOL from another state.

D.  Teachers with a reciprocal license from a country outside the United States shall meet the following testing and coursework requirements:

E.  Teacher candidates seeking to waive credit hours in one language other than English shall provide documentation that the candidate:

  • has passed the language proficiency examination(s) for bilingual education in Spanish; or
  • has passed the language proficiency examination for any language other than English; or
  • holds a Native American language and culture certification pursuant to 6.63.14 NMAC; or
  • holds a New Mexico diploma of excellence with the state seal of bilingualism-biliteracy in a language other than English or its equivalent from another state; or
  • holds either a bachelor of arts or science degree, master of arts or science degree, or doctorate degree in a language other than English from an accredited college or university outside the United States.

BMEP Endorsement Waiver

If you don’t have the eligible coursework or exam, your LEA (District/Charter) may submit BMEP Endorsement Waiver on your behalf. Please contact the Language & Culture Division if you have additional questions.

Instructions for Submitting the Renewal BMEP Endorsement Waiver
Renewal BMEP Endorsement Waiver Teacher Consent Form
Renewal BMEP Endorsement Waiver

Accepted TESOL Coursework

The licensure bureau will review TESOL coursework that includes up to 6 hours of any foreign language other than English (i.e. 6 hours of Spanish, Navajo, French, German), methods for teaching English as a second language, culture (i.e. History of Southwest, Literature of the Southwest, education across cultures, cultural anthropology), English linguistics or phonetics, English grammar, assessment and parent/community involvement. Basic English composition courses are not acceptable for the grammar competency.

New Mexico Administrative Codes

TESOL NMAC

Approved TESOL Programs

  • Central New Mexico Community College
  • Eastern New Mexico University
  • Fort Lewis College
  • New Mexico Highlands University
  • New Mexico State University
  • Northern New Mexico College
  • Santa Fe Community College
  • San Juan College
  • University of New Mexico
  • Western New Mexico University

Page last updated March 11, 2024