New Mexico Teacher Requirements

New Mexico Teacher Requirements

Requirements For Becoming a Teacher

·      Bachelor’s degree; the credit hours you require will vary surrounding who you will teach

·      Completion of a teacher education program

·      Completion of the state’s tests

·      Fingerprint file for a background check

·      Other documents necessary for application

Tests to Complete

• New Mexico Assessment of Teacher Basic Skills
• New Mexico Assessment of Teacher Competency
• New Mexico Content Knowledge Assessment; you are exempt if you have twenty-four or more credit hours in your content area

Needs For Advancing Your License

• Additional experience
• Effective ratings on your annual reports
• Further education, including acquiring your master’s degree

Who Supports the Registration Process For Teaching In New Mexico?

The New Mexico Professional Licensure Bureau provides support for prospective teachers in New Mexico. You can acquire your license to teach by applying with the bureau. The group also provides information on what you require for completing the application process to help you facilitate your application effort.

Rules For Your Bachelor’s Degree

You must attain a bachelor’s degree or higher to teach in New Mexico. The degree should include courses surrounding the field of work you plan on teaching within the state.

The credits you require will vary surrounding who you will teach:

1.     Elementary School (K-4)

You will require at least thirty credit hours in education, plus you must have some student teaching experience. Six hours of reading education and twenty-four hours in a content area of your choosing are also necessary.

2.     Middle School (5-9)

You will need about thirty-six hours of education studies in college, plus you will require student teaching experience. You also need twenty-fours of learning in a content area, but you only require three hours of reading education.

3.     Secondary School (7-12)

Prospective secondary school teachers must have twenty-four credit hours in a secondary education program. The teacher also needs to participate in student teaching. You’ll also require three reading education hours. Secondary school teachers also need twenty-four hours of study in a content area, but half of those hours should be in upper-level courses.

Your college transcript will include details on all the courses you have taken and what you will qualify for when managing your work. The state will provide details on

Other Rules For Certification

All teachers must complete a teacher education program before receiving their licenses. You can complete you program online or in-person through any certified provider. Your work will include lessons on how to manage a classroom, establish lesson plans, and communicate with students.

You will also complete the state-specific tests for certification. These include your basic skills and core area tests.

A fingerprint file is also necessary for application purposes. The Educator Ethics Bureau can provide you with a file for submission.

You can file your completed application to the state’s Professional Licensure Bureau in Santa Fe. The application should include any transcripts you have and reports on whatever scores you attained in the state’s tests.

Tests to Complete

New Mexico uses a state-specific testing program that entails three exams. First, you will complete the New Mexico Assessment of Teacher Basic Skills. The test entails a review of your reading, math, and writing skills.

The state also requires you to complete the New Mexico Assessment of Teacher Competency. The test entails a review of your competency in the early childhood, elementary, or secondary field.

The third test is the New Mexico Content Knowledge Assessment. You will be exempt from this part of certification if you have twenty-four or more semester hours of course work in the content area for your test.

The content area test entails various subjects, including some K-12 options. These include K-12 tests for foreign languages, English as a Second Language, health education, and visual arts.

Advancing In Your Work

You can move forward in your certification effort through four licenses. It will take a couple of years for you to go through the certification ladder, but those who can attain the highest-level licenses will be eligible for high-value jobs and to potentially instruct other possible teachers.

The four licenses are as follows:

1. Internship

The first license you can earn is an internship. This three-year license is for candidates who have entered a state-approved teacher education program.

2. Level 1

You will earn your Level 1 license after you complete your application and satisfy the teacher education requirement. The Level 1 license is provisional and is valid for five years.

3. Level 2

A Level 2 license is for people with at least three years of teaching experience. You must have an effective rating or greater on your annual reports and the endorsement of your school district to advance to a Level 2 license. You will be eligible for more employment opportunities with a Level 2 credential. These include jobs that may pay more than what you would get from your initial license. The credential is valid for nine years.

4. Level 3

The Level 3 license is the highest one you can attain. It is also legal for nine years. You will require a master’s degree and at least three years of teaching experience with an effective rating or higher to qualify. In addition to finding more job opportunities here, you can also become a teacher instructor who supports other teachers who wish to acquire their certification to teach in the state.

Who Do You Contact For Advancing?

You can contact the licensing department of the New Mexico Public Education Department if you need extra help in managing your license to teach in the state. The department will assist you in managing whatever points you have surrounding your studies and how they will work. The service will also identify the best opportunities for career development in your field of work.

Resources

https://teach.com/careers/become-a-teacher/teaching-credential/state-requirements/new-mexico/ – Rules for certification in New Mexico

https://webnew.ped.state.nm.us/bureaus/licensure/ – New Mexico licensure office

https://webnew.ped.state.nm.us/bureaus/licensure/how-to-apply/ – New Mexico application requirements

https://webnew.ped.state.nm.us/bureaus/licensure/ – State exams for New Mexico educators to complete