Licensure
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Educational Administration (Pre K-12)
As of July 1, 2029, individuals holding a 3B license will automatically receive a superintendent license. Beginning on that date, new candidates must complete a department-approved Aspiring Superintendent Academy (ASA) to earn licensure. In addition, all first-year superintendents—regardless of how they obtained their license—must enroll in a department-approved First-Year Superintendent Induction and Mentoring Program.
To guide implementation, the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) convened the Aspiring Superintendent Academy Task Force in Summer 2025. The Task Force was charged with developing recommendations for criteria to approve both ASA programs and First-Year Induction and Mentoring programs.
NMPED will convene a workgroup to establish Common Performance Tasks required of all academy graduates and draft guidance for program approval.
Initial License
- $150 (non-refundable) fee; and
- Initial Application via NMPED Online Licensure Portal; and
- hold a level 2 or level 3-A teaching license, or hold a level 2 teaching license and for at least four years have held a level 3 school counselor license while working as a teacher or school counselor; and
- Official sealed transcripts reflecting completion of a bachelor’s degree and a post-baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university; and
- Have completed a PED-approved administration apprenticeship program:
- at a college or university through an educational administration program consisting of a minimum of 180 clock hours for one calendar year to include time at the beginning and end of the school year; a passing grade on the apprenticeship will verify completion of this requirement; or
- under the supervision of a local school superintendent, private school official, charter school licensed administrator, or state agency educational administrator consisting of a minimum of 180 clock hours for one calendar year to include time at the beginning and end of the school year; the superintendent, school official or administrator will verify that the apprenticeship has met the PED’s adopted competencies for educational administration; such verification will be considered completion of this requirement; and
- a minimum of eighteen (18) semester hours of graduate credit in an educational administration program approved by the PED which addresses PED’s approved functional areas and related competencies in educational administration; colleges and universities may offer these hours through their educational administration, educational leadership, public administration, business administration, or other appropriate departments; and
- Passage of the following PRAXIS exam: Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision; and
- Register for background/fingerprints for “Teacher Licensure.”
Renewal License
- $130 (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 will 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 an educator does not have additional valid licenses, they must register for background/fingerprints for “Teacher Licensure.”
Note: If you are renewing an expired level 3B 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
- Passage of the following PRAXIS exam: Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision
- 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 master’s degree earned in Educational Administration from a regionally accredited college/university; and
- And if applicable- Official Foreign Transcripts Evaluations: course by course transcripts evaluation must be sealed and addressed to 300 Don Gaspar, Santa Fe, NM 87501
- Copy of current valid Administrative 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). Must have completed six (6) full school years either as a teacher or administrator with at least three (3) full school years of experience as a teacher. 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”.
Required Internship: The apprenticeship/internship can be completed under the supervision of the college/university or if completed under the supervision of a local school superintendent, submit a letter from the superintendent verifying the 180 internship hours and detailing how the educator met Administrator licensure competencies and indicators referenced in 6.62.2 NMAC during a school year (at least 160 school days and 180 clock hours). Letter must be on school district letterhead and signed by the district superintendent.
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.