Specialty License (Grades 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
• 24 semester hours in PreK-12 Education program including student teaching; and
• 3 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 teaching field, e.g., language arts, or social studies with 12 of those hours earned at the upper division (generally 300 or above); and
• Passage of the following PRAXIS exams:
  • Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K-6, or
  • Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12
  • One of the Content Assessments for the First Endorsement on the License plus coursework
• Register for background/fingerprints for “Teacher Licensure”.

NOTE:

• If an Educator has a NM Special Education license – he/she is automatically eligible for the Pre K-12 license provided they meet the endorsement requirement.
• If an educator has an NM Elementary license– and has 3 credit hours in Secondary Pedagogy course or passes the Professional Knowledge in Secondary- he/she is eligible for the Pre K-12 license provided they meet the endorsement requirement.
• If an Educator has a NM Secondary license– and has 3 credit hours in Elementary Pedagogy course or passes the Professional Knowledge in Elementary – he/she is eligible for the Pre K-12 license provided they meet the endorsement requirement.
• If an Educator has a NM Mid-Level license– and has 3 credit hours in Secondary Pedagogy course or passes the Professional Knowledge in Secondary- he/she is eligible for the Pre K-12 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).
  • Note: The earliest you can renew same level license is January of expiring year.

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 fee (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 K-12 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.