A nonrenewable, 1-year license granted allows a person to teach as a teacher of record under an internship license. The Post-Secondary Experience is a program that is set up for individuals who obtained a bachelor’s and master’s degree in a non-traditional education program and have taught at a Post-Secondary level (for a minimum of 5 or 6 years) and are interested in teaching in a K-12 school setting.
Please Note: Once the teacher has completed an internship of 1 full school year (160 days as a teacher of record) while holding the internship license, proof of completion of the required Teaching of Reading/Reading Methods coursework and satisfactory demonstrate teaching competencies at the respective level of licensure, they will be granted a level 2 or level 3 teaching license. The alternative post-secondary candidate does not need to complete teacher exams.
Initial License
- $150 (non-refundable) fee, and
- Alternative Application via NMPED Online Licensure Portal; and
- Official sealed transcripts of a bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree in a field outside education; and
- A verification of experience from a university or college HR department verifying a minimum of 5 or more full school years of teaching experience at the post-secondary level (2 semesters is defined as 1 school year); and
- Register for background/fingerprints for “Teacher Licensure.”
Reading Methods Course Requirement:
Early Childhood, Elementary and Special Education licensure requires 6 semester credit hours
Middle Level, Secondary and PreK-12 Specialty Area licensure requires 3 semester credit hours
Renewal License
- If your level 1 alternative license has expired, and you did not work as a classroom teacher on your alternative license, you can submit for a one-time renewal. We will renew your license for the year(s) you did not work your license. Submit the following:
- $150 (non-refundable) fee, and
- Alternative Application via NMPED Online Licensure Portal; and
- Notarized form for an extension.
- If the educator does not have additional valid licenses on file, then must register for background/fingerprints for “Teacher Licensure”.
Upon completion of the post-secondary internship requirements, the candidate must submit the following documents to obtain full licensure:
- Official sealed transcripts reflecting completion of the required teaching of reading course(s).
- Superintendent Recommendation Form for Post-Secondary Experience verifying that the candidate meets competencies as delineated for the type and level of licensure sought (Five years of experience qualifies for a level 2 teaching license or six or more years of experience qualifies for a level 3A teaching license).
***After completion of requirements, your license will then be issued at level 2 or level 3A based on the competencies demonstrated at the grade level and in the subject area teaching.
Delay of application:
- Your application is lacking supporting documents listed in the above check list.
- 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 for Teacher Licensure. School Employment backgrounds will not be accepted.
NMPED Correspondence with Educators:
- Consultants correspond by email; please check your spam/junk folder.
All fees submitted are non-refundable