Special Education (Pre K-12)

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 special education coursework to include student teaching; and
• 6 semester hours in teaching reading for those who first entered any college or university on or after August 1, 2001; and
• 24 semester hours in the teaching field, e.g., language arts, social studies, math, etc.; and
• Passage of the following PRAXIS exams:
  • Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K-6 5622, or
  • Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 5624 and
  • Special Education: Foundational Knowledge 5355
• **If you graduated and completed the portfolio for assessment from an NM ed prep program in 2024 or thereafter, you would only be required to pass Special Education: Foundational Knowledge 5355
• OR…
•  Possess a valid certificate issued by the national board for professional teaching standards for the appropriate grade level and type.
• Register for background/fingerprints for “Teacher Licensure”.

Renewal License

• $120 (non-refundable) fee will be valid for a one-year grace period for levels 2 or 3 (from the 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 the expiring year.
  • If the 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
• Initial Application 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 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
  • If applicable – Official Foreign Transcripts and Official Course-by-Course Transcripts Evaluation; must be sealed and addressed to 300 Don Gaspar, Room 103, 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 the form below; and
• Register for background/fingerprints for “Teacher Licensure”.

Reciprocal Forms

Delay of application:

• Your application lacks the supporting documents listed in the above checklist.
• 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.