A middle level teaching license authorizes an individual to teach in a departmentalized setting. The individual must be endorsed in the subject they are teaching
Initial License
- $150 (non-refundable) fee; and
- Initial application via NMPED Online Licensure Portal; and
- Official sealed transcripts reflecting completion of a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university; and
- 30 semester hours in Middle Level education course work to include student teaching; and
- 24 semester hours in teaching field such as language arts, social studies, math, etc; and
- 3 semester hours in teaching reading for those who first entered any college or university on or after August 1, 2001; and
- Passage of the following PRAXIS exams:
- Register for background/fingerprints for “Teacher Licensure”.
Note: If a person has an elementary, secondary, PreK-12 specialty or special education license and can provide verification of 5 Years of teaching experience in the middle level grades, he/she is eligible for the middle level license provided they meet the endorsement requirement.
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); and
- 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”.
Reciprocating a License
- $150 (non-refundable) fee; and
- Initial Application via NMPED Online Licensure Portal; and
- Provide Official transcripts reflecting a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a middle grades education program earned from a regionally accredited college/university; 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”.
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