New Mexico Teacher Certification

So you want to earn your New Mexico Teacher Certification? Fortunately there are two ways to get it:

New Mexico Initial Teaching Certification

1. Go to college - get a degree. It is a firm requirement. You don't need a specialization in education (although that may help with the transition and may help differentiate you from other applicants)
2. Get some experience in teaching, even if it’s unpaid. It is required to have classroom experience such as student teaching.
3. You’ll need to complete all three portions of the New Mexico Teacher Assessments (NMTA)
4. Complete a background and fingerprint check. Call (505) 827-6104
5. Submit the following:
   • Complete this form
   • Current certifications (if you already have one)
   • $65 Application fee for each subject payable to New Mexico Public Education Department
   • $34 fee for fingerprint processing
   • Official transcripts, degrees, and school credits
   • Mail to:
     New Mexico Public Education Department
     Professional Ethics Bureau
     300 Don Gaspar
     Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501-2786
     (505) 827-6104
6. Do you want to renew your New Mexico Teacher Certification?
   • Apply for your renewal

Alternative New Mexico Teacher Certification

Instead of getting your New Mexico Teaching Certificate you can get the temporary one. The Alternative Certification allows you to teach without completing the normal process.

1. You still need a college degree
2. Consider the options for earning Alternative Licensure and chose the one which suits you best.
3. Through a post-baccalaureate alternative licensure program (face to face or online)
4. A portfolio (Online Portfolio for Alternative Licensure - OPAL).
5. Alterative License Options

Photo by David Baron on Flickr.com