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Elementary License (K-8)

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  5. Elementary License (K-8)

An elementary teaching license authorizes an individual to teach in a self-contained classroom and may teach the core area of language arts, social studies, mathematics, and science up to grade 8 in a departmentalized setting. If teaching in a departmentalized setting, the individual must be considered Fully State Certified (formally known as HQT”), this means they must have a minimum of 24 semester hours in the core area or pass the midlevel content knowledge assessment (CKA) in the core area.

Initial License

  • $150 (non-refundable) fee; and
  • Initial Application NMPED Online Licensure Portal; and
  • Official sealed transcripts reflecting completion of an Elementary bachelor’s degree program from a regionally accredited college or university; and includes
    • 30 semester hours in Elementary education course work to include student teaching; and
    • 6 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 the teaching field, e.g., language arts, social studies, math, etc.; and
  • Passage of the following PRAXIS exams:
  • **If you graduated and completed the portfolio for assessment from an NM ed prep program in 2024 or thereafter, you would only be required to pass Teaching Reading: Elementary 5205
  • OR…
  • Possess a valid certificate issued by the national board for professional teaching standards for the appropriate grade level and type.
  • Register for background/fingerprints for “Teacher Licensure”.

Elementary NMAC Code

Renewal License

    • $120 (non-refundable) fee will be valid for a one-year grace period for levels 2 or 3 (from the time of expiration). If the expiration date exceeds the grace period, a $150.00 would apply (non-refundable fee); 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 can be submitted if you did not teach on your New Mexico license(s) during the life of the license(s).
      • Note: The earliest you can renew a same-level license is January of the expiring year.
      • If the educator does not have additional valid licenses on file, then must register for background/fingerprints for “Teacher Licensure”.

    Note: If an elementary license lapses for more than one year, the educator will be required to complete the following exam if  proof of passing is not on file:

    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 (non-refundable) fee; and
    • Initial Application; and
    • Superintendent’s Recommendation for Continuing Licensure from last employing school district (Must be on 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: and

    Superintendent Recommendation Form

    Elementary NMAC Code

    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 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
      • If applicable – Official Foreign Transcripts and Official Course-by-Course Transcripts Evaluation; must be sealed and addressed to 300 Don Gaspar, Room 103, Santa Fe, NM 87501
    • Copy of current valid teaching license from out-of-state state education agency, Department of Defense School, or foreign country. If no licensure was required, your state education agency/private school administrator/out-of-country licensure agency must provide a signed letter confirming this; and
    • Copy of Passage of Teacher Exams. If no exams were required, your state education agency/private school administrator/out-of-country licensure agency must provide a signed letter confirming this; 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 the form below; and
    • Register for background/fingerprints for “Teacher Licensure”.

    Licensure Forms

    Reciprocity NMAC Code

    Delay of application

    • Your application lacks the supporting documents listed in the above checklist.
    • 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.

    NM PED Correspondence with Educators

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

    All fees submitted are non-refundable