Licensure
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Secondary Vocational-Technical (7-12)
A Secondary Vocational Technical teaching license authorizes an individual to help prepare students for a wide variety of careers, technical skills and/or trades. Courses of instruction may include health, auto repair, welding, technology, agricultural education, cosmetology, business education, computer technology, and many others.
Initial License
- $150 (non-refundable) fee; and
- Initial Application via NMPED Online Licensure Portal; and
- Official sealed transcripts of a Bachelor’s Degree including 32 credit hours of vocational-technical training related to the occupational area; or
- Official sealed transcripts of an associate degree plus two (2) years of verified work experience related to the occupational area; or
- Certificate plus three (3) years verified work experience related to the occupational area; or
- High school diploma/GED plus five (5) years of verified work experience related to the occupational area.
- Register for background/fingerprints for “Teacher Licensure”.
Note: Applicants meeting one of the above criteria will be issued a secondary vocational-technical license at Level 1 for 3 years and within those years will need to meet the following:
- Minimum of 15 semester hours in a Secondary Vocational-Technical Education Program including a supervised classroom internship/student teaching experience; or
- Professional Development Plan (PDP) developed by the employing authority and approved by the PED, in place of completion of the 15 semester hours in the Secondary Vocational-Technical Education Program including a supervised classroom internship/student teaching experience; and
- Demonstrate competencies for vocational technical teachers within 3 years of the date of employment.
Upon completion, the educator can submit either a sealed transcript or PDP from the superintendent that the candidate has met all the components above. The candidate will advance through completion of the Professional Development Plan (PDP)/hours and internship and the three-tiered system. The educator will be issued the remaining 2 years of the level 1 license to advance through the level 1 license process.
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; 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 the educator does not have additional valid licenses on file, then must register for background/fingerprints for “Teacher Licensure”.
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 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
- Register for background/fingerprints for “Teacher Licensure”.
Licensure Advancement
- $120 (non-refundable) fee; and
- Advancement Application via NMPED Online Licensure Portal; and
- Superintendent‘s Recommendation for Continuing Licensure (Must be on School District Letterhead).
May 2026 Update: For advancement, the teacher must meet ONE requirements, which are listed on the form, per § 22-10A-11 NMSA 1978).
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”.
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.