A nonrenewable, 2-year license is granted to allow a person to simultaneously teach and complete face-to-face courses or online courses at an approved university or community college. The Alternative Educator Prep Program is a focused state-accredited (approved) post-baccalaureate program for obtaining your New Mexico Level 1 teaching license.
Approved New Mexico Educator Preparation Programs
The Alternative Educator Prep Program is available for individuals who obtained a bachelor’s degree in a non-traditional education program and are interested in teaching.
Initial License
- $150 (non-refundable) fee, and
- Alternative Application via NMPED Online Licensure Portal; and
- Official sealed transcripts Bachelor’s Degree including 30 semester hours, or Master’s Degree including 12 graduate hours, or Doctoral Degree in a teaching field; and
- A letter of Acceptance into an Approved Alternative Teacher Education Program; and
- Register for background/fingerprints for “Teacher Licensure”.
Extension of Alternative License
- A one-time extension may be granted if an educator has not completed their alternative licensure program and/or lack exams during the tenure (2 years) of their license.
- Please follow the instructions in the Licensure Extensions in order to apply for an extension request
Upon completion of the program, the candidate must submit the following documents to obtain full level 1 licensure:
- Official sealed transcripts conferring education certificate; and
- Letter of Completion of the Alternative Educator Prep Program (if you completed the portfolio for assessment, the letter must include this information); and
- If you completed the portfolio for assessment through your university, no exams are required; however, the letter of completion should confirm this. The exception to this is those with the K-8 Elementary and Pre K-12 Special Education licenses. The Elementary licensee must pass the Teaching of Reading: Elementary (5205) and the Special Education licensee must pass the Special Education: Foundational Knowledge (5355).
- If you did not complete the portfolio for assessment through your university, you must provide proof of Praxis exams.
Note: You will be granted the remaining number of years to your license. Your license will still remain with the alternative title until you advance your license.
Delay of application:
- Your application is lacking supporting documents listed in the above check list; or
- If your license(s) has expired (and you do not have additional valid licenses on file), and your background was completed 24 months or more, you will need to complete a new background.
NMPED Correspondence with Educators:
- Consultants correspond by email; please check your spam/junk folder.
All fees submitted are non-refundable