Secondary Vocational-Technical (7-12)

Initial License

• $150 (non-refundable) fee; and
• Initial Application via NMPED Online Licensure Portal; and
  • Official sealed transcripts of a Bachelor’s Degree including 32 credit hours of vocational-technical training related to the occupational area; or
  • Official sealed transcripts of a Associates degree plus two (2) years verified work experience related to the occupational area; or
  • Certificate plus three (3) years verified work experience related to the occupational area; or
  • High school diploma/GED plus five (5) years verified work experience related to the occupational area.
• Register for background/fingerprints for “Teacher Licensure”.

Note: Applicants meeting one of the above criteria will be issued a secondary vocational technical license at a Level 1 for 3 years and within those years will need to meet the following:

• Minimum of 15 semester hours in Secondary Vocational-Technical Education Program including a supervised classroom internship/student teaching experience; or
• Professional Development Plan (PDP) developed by the employing authority and approved by the PED, in lieu of completion of the 15 semester hours in Secondary Vocational-Technical Education Program including a supervised classroom internship/student teaching experience; and
• Demonstrate competencies for vocational technical teachers within 3 years of the date of employment.

Upon completion, the educator can submit either a sealed transcript or PDP from the superintendent that the candidate has met all components above. The candidate will advance through completion of the Professional Development Plan (PDP)/hours and internship and the three-tiered system. The educator will be issued the remaining 2 years of the level 1 license in order to advance through the level 1 license process.

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”.

Reciprocating a License

• $150.00 (non-refundable) fee; and
• Initial Application via NMPED Online Licensure Portal; and
• Provide Official transcripts reflecting a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree earned from a regionally accredited college/university; and
• Copy of current valid teaching License from out-of-state state education agency, Department of Defense School, or foreign country; 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
• Copy of Passage of Teacher Exams or a Notarized statement stating exams were not required.
• 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.