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Early Childhood: Birth to Pre-K

Early Childhood: Birth to Pre-K 2023-02-10T09:04:15-07:00

A Birth – Pre- K teaching license authorizes an individual to teach in the age range of birth – four (0-4) years of age with children who are developing either typically or atypically in a New Mexico school district.

Initial License

  • $150 (non-refundable) fee; and
  • Initial application via NMPED Online Licensure Portal; and
  • Official sealed transcripts Bachelor’s and or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university in early childhood; and include 
    • 45 semester hours in an Early Childhood Education program; and include:
      • 15 semester hours must include 6 hours of practicum or supervised field experience, 9 hours of Early Childhood student teaching in the range Birth to 4 years of age ; and
      • at least 135 contact hours of practicum or supervised field experience in other range than Birth to 4 years of age (i.e. three-five, or five-eight); or
      • Evidence of 3 years of documented, verified, satisfactory work experiences with at least 2 of the age ranges of Birth to 4 years of age; and
    • 6 semester hours of credit in the teaching of reading, if educator started school on or after 8/1/2001.
  • Passage of the following PRAXIS exams:
  • Register for background/fingerprints for “Teacher Licensure”.

Early Childhood Birth to Pre-K NMAC Code

Renewal License

  • $120 (non-refundable) fee will be valid for a one year grace period for level 2 or 3 (from time of expiration). If the expiration date exceeds the grace period a $150.00 would apply; and;
  • Renewal Application via NMPED Online Licensure Portal; and
  • Superintendent’s Recommendation for Continuing Licensure (Must be on School District Letterhead); or a notarized letter attesting that you have not been employed and used your New Mexico license(s) during the life of the license(s).
    • Note: The earliest you can renew same level license is January of expiring year.
    • If educator does not have additional valid licenses on file, then must register for background/fingerprints for “Teacher Licensure”.

Note: If you are renewing a level 2 or 3 expired license (expired for more than a year), you will be required to complete the following:

  • $150 (non-refundable ) fee; and
  • Renewal Application via NMPED Online Licensure Portal; and
  • Superintendent Recommendation Form for renewal from last employing school district from the HR (must be school district letterhead; and 
  • Verification of 5 years teaching experience in New Mexico (must be on school district letterhead); and
  • Register for background/fingerprints for “Teacher Licensure”.

Superintendent Recommendation form

Early Childhood Birth to Pre-K NMAC Code

Reciprocating a License

  • $150 (non-refundable) fee; and
  • Initial Application via NMPED Online Licensure Portal; and
  • Official sealed transcripts Bachelor’s and or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university in early childhood; and
    • If this was completed through an alternative teacher preparation program, please have that agency complete the NMPED Approved Program Completion Verification Form
    • And if applicable – Official Foreign Transcripts and Official Course-by-Course Transcripts Evaluation; must be sealed and addressed to 300 Don Gaspar, Santa Fe, NM 87501
  • Copy of current valid teaching license from out-of-state state education agency, Department of Defense School, or foreign country or a Notarized statement stating licensure was not required; and
  • Copy of Passage of Teacher Exams or a Notarized statement stating exams were not required; and
  • Verification of experience (Must be on Out-of-State School District Letterhead). Please break down experience by M/D/Y and please indicate the number of days taught for each year. 160 days commonly equals 1 full school year. Please use form below; and
  • Register for background/fingerprints for “Teacher Licensure”.

Reciprocity Out-of-State Experience Form

No Exam Statement

No Out-of-State License Requirement Statement

Reciprocity NMAC Code

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.

NM PED Correspondence with Educators:

  • Consultants correspond by email; please check your spam/junk folder.


 


All fees submitted are non-refundable

 

 

Page last updated February 10, 2023