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Alternative Post-Secondary Experience (Pre K-12)

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  5. Alternative Post-Secondary Experience (Pre K-12)

A nonrenewable, 1-year license granted allows a person to teach as a teacher of record under an internship license. The Post-Secondary Experience is a program that is set up for individuals who obtained a bachelor’s and master’s degree in a non-traditional education program and have taught at a Post-Secondary level (for a minimum of 5 or 6 years)  and are interested in teaching in a K-12 school setting.

Please Note:  Once the teacher has completed an internship of 1 full school year (160 days as a teacher of record) while holding the internship license, proof of completion of the required Teaching of Reading/Reading Methods coursework and satisfactory demonstrate teaching competencies at the respective level of licensure, they will be granted a level 2 or level 3 teaching license. The alternative post-secondary candidate does not need to complete teacher exams.

Initial License

  • $150 (non-refundable) fee, and
  • Alternative Application via NMPED Online Licensure Portal; and
  • Official sealed transcripts of a bachelor’s degree, and master’s degree in a field outside education; and
  • A verification of experience from a university or college HR department verifying a minimum of 5 or more full school years of teaching experience at the post-secondary level (2 semesters is defined as 1 school year); and
  • Register for background/fingerprints for “Teacher Licensure”.

Reading Methods Course Requirement:

Early Childhood, Elementary and Special Education licensure requires 6 semester credit hours

Middle Level, Secondary and PreK-12 Specialty Area licensure requires 3 semester credit hours

Post-Secondary Verification of Experience

Post-Secondary Experience NMAC Code

Renewal License

  • If your level 1 alternative license has expired, and you did not work as a classroom teacher on your alternative license, you can submit for a one-time renewal. We will renew your license for the year(s) you did not work your license. Submit the following:
  • $150 (non-refundable) fee, and
  • Alternative Application via NMPED Online Licensure Portal; and
  •  Notarized form for an extension.
    • If the educator does not have additional valid licenses on file, then must register for background/fingerprints for “Teacher Licensure”.

Post-Secondary Experience NMAC Code

Upon completion of the post-secondary internship requirements, the candidate must submit the following documents to obtain full licensure:

  • Official sealed transcripts reflecting completion of the required teaching of reading course(s).
  • Superintendent Recommendation Form for Post-Secondary Experience verifying that the candidate meets competencies as delineated for the type and level of licensure sought (Five years of experience qualifies for a level 2 teaching license or six or more years of experience qualifies for a level 3A teaching license).

***After completion of requirements, your license will then be issued at level 2 or level 3A based on the competencies demonstrated at the grade level and in the subject area teaching.

Delay of application

  • Your application is lacking supporting documents listed in the above check list; or
  • 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.

NMPED Correspondence with Educators

  • Consultants correspond by email; please check your spam/junk folder.

All fees submitted are non-refundable