How to Become a Teacher in New Mexico: Tests, Fees and Routes

By the Transforming Education editorial team. Every fact on this page was checked against the source linked beside it on November 7, 2026.

No degree yet: the traditional route

For high school students, college students and anyone without a bachelor's degree. You earn the degree and the teacher preparation in one program.

Initial License (Level 1) through an approved educator preparation program

Candidates complete a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution that includes the education coursework and student teaching for the license area; for Elementary K-8 this means 30 semester hours of elementary education coursework, 6 semester hours in teaching reading and 24 semester hours in a teaching field. Graduates of NMPED-approved New Mexico programs from 2024 onward complete a portfolio assessment in place of most Praxis exams, but Elementary candidates must still pass Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205) and Special Education candidates must pass Special Education: Foundational Knowledge (5355). Applicants apply through the NMPED Online Licensure Portal, pay the fee and complete a licensure background check.

1. Complete a bachelor's degree in an approved educator preparation program, including student teaching and the required coursework for your license area.
2. Complete the program portfolio assessment (NMPED-approved New Mexico programs, 2024 graduates onward) or pass the Praxis exams listed for your license.
3. Pass Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205) for Elementary K-8 or Special Education: Foundational Knowledge (5355) for Special Education Pre K-12.
4. Register with IdentoGO and complete the background check for Teacher Licensure.
5. Submit the initial application with official sealed transcripts and the $150 fee in the NMPED Online Licensure Portal.

Source: web.ped.nm.gov

Bachelor's in another field: the alternative route

For people who already hold a bachelor's degree in a subject other than education.

Alternative Educator Prep Program (EPP)

The Alternative Educator Prep Program is a state-approved post-baccalaureate program for people whose bachelor's degree is not in education. Candidates receive a nonrenewable two-year alternative license that lets them teach while completing face-to-face or online courses at an approved university or community college, with a one-time extension possible. On completion, candidates submit transcripts and a letter of completion to obtain full Level 1 licensure.

1. Hold a bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours, a master's degree with 12 graduate hours, or a doctoral degree in a teaching field.
2. Get accepted into an approved alternative teacher education program.
3. Complete the licensure background check and apply for the alternative license with the $150 fee.
4. Teach on the two-year alternative license while completing the program and its portfolio or Praxis requirements.
5. Submit official transcripts and the program's letter of completion to obtain full Level 1 licensure.

Source: web.ped.nm.gov

Changing careers into teaching in New Mexico

If you already have a bachelor's degree and some years in another job, start with the alternative route described above. It is built for people who did not study education. The 13 programs below are on the state's approved list.

For pay context, the median annual wage for high school teachers in New Mexico was $75,900 in May 2025, according to the BLS OEWS state estimates. If your background matches a subject on the state's shortage list, that list is further down this page.

State-approved alternative certification programs

Programs shown are a selection from the state's approved list, checked November 7, 2026. "Online" reflects what the program or the state says about its coursework; teaching practice is always in a real school. The full, current list is on the agency's approved-program page.

Licensed in another state

For teachers who hold a license from another state and want to teach in New Mexico.

Reciprocating a License

Teachers licensed in another state apply through the NMPED Online Licensure Portal with the $150 fee, official transcripts for a bachelor's or master's degree, a copy of their current out-of-state license, proof of passing teacher exams (or a letter if none were required) and verification of experience on district letterhead. The level of the New Mexico license depends on experience: 1 to 3 years of teaching leads to Level 1, 3 to 5 years with a bachelor's and master's degree to Level 2, and 6 or more years with a master's degree to Level 3A. Graduates of out-of-state programs who were never licensed must meet New Mexico rules, including the required exams.

1. Gather your current out-of-state teaching license and official degree transcripts.
2. Provide proof of passing teacher exams, or a letter from your state confirming none were required.
3. Have previous districts verify your teaching experience on letterhead, broken down by dates and days taught.
4. Complete the IdentoGO fingerprint background check for Teacher Licensure.
5. Submit the initial application and $150 fee in the NMPED Online Licensure Portal.

Source: web.ped.nm.gov

Required tests, codes and qualifying scores

New Mexico uses Praxis and NMPED-approved program portfolio for teacher licensure. The table lists the core tests by license area, with the qualifying score and fee exactly as the source publishes them. Which tests you take depends on the license area you are seeking, so check the full list for your subject before you register.

Scores and fees change. Confirm both on the testing company's page before you register.

Fees, background check and license validity

Background check

Everyone who needs an NMPED license must have a cleared licensure background check, registered with IdentoGO under service code 2BH23R and reason code Teacher Licensure, before entering a classroom. In-state applicants are fingerprinted by live scan, while out-of-state applicants mail fingerprint cards through the IdentoGO pre-enrollment process. The licensure background report is valid for 24 months, and a school employment background check is not accepted in its place. Fee: $67 (raised from $59 on October 1, 2026). Source

Your first license

License: Level 1 Teaching License. It is valid for 5 years. Level 1 is a provisional license for the first five years of teaching, with a formal mentorship program. Teachers advance to Level 2 after three school years of successful evaluations by earning National Board Certification or completing the APL micro-credentials. Licenses earned through an alternative program carry the word alternative until the teacher reaches Level 2. Source

Renewal

Level 2 and Level 3 licenses are renewed through the NMPED Online Licensure Portal with a renewal application, the $120 fee, and a Superintendent Recommendation for Continuing Licensure, or a notarized statement if the educator did not teach during the life of the license. Licenses may be renewed within 6 months of expiration, starting in January of the expiring year. Level 1 teachers do not renew in the usual way but advance to Level 2 or request an extension. Requirement: Superintendent recommendation for continuing licensure and $120 renewal fee. Source

Teacher pay in New Mexico

Elementary teachers in New Mexico earned a median of $74,550 a year in May 2025, $10,580 above the national median of $63,970. Half of teachers in each occupation earn more than the median and half earn less. What you earn in a given district depends on its salary schedule, your experience and any graduate credits.

Annual wages, cross-industry estimates, from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025 state tables, retrieved through the BLS Public Data API on November 7, 2026. Special education teachers are shown separately; our guide to the online master's in special education covers the add-on and initial-license options.

Teacher shortage areas, 2026-27

New Mexico reported these subject areas to the US Department of Education as teacher shortage areas for the 2026-27 school year.

• Special Education: Cross Categorical (statewide)

Source: US Department of Education, Teacher Shortage Areas report, retrieved November 7, 2026.