How to Become a Teacher in New Mexico
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- You'll need at least a bachelor's degree to become a teacher in New Mexico.
- Alternative paths include post-baccalaureate and master's degree programs in education.
- Teacher's with graduate degrees qualify for higher pay rates.
- New Mexico has tiered teacher licensing. You need to upgrade your credentials to move up.
Responding to an ongoing teacher shortage, New Mexico took action. In 2022, the state's legislature increased public school teacher salaries by a statewide average of 17%. The National Education Association hailed the move as an effective approach to educator recruitment and retention.
If you're looking to become a teacher in New Mexico, a bachelor's degree in education is a perfect place to start. However, it's not your only path to teaching licensure in New Mexico.
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How Do You Become a Teacher in New Mexico?
The New Mexico teacher certification process includes five major steps. It starts with your college education and culminates in applying for and maintaining your certification.
1. Earn Your Bachelor's Degree
New Mexico's Public Education Department maintains a list of state-approved educator preparation programs. Completing one will cover your bachelor's degree requirements.
If you already have a bachelor's degree in another subject area, you can follow an alternative path. First, you can complete a state-approved post-baccalaureate program that leads to teaching licensure. Alternatively, you can get a qualified master's degree in a general or specialized education discipline.
Check with New Mexico's Public Education Department if you're unsure about the approval status of any program you're considering.
2. Gain Student Teaching Experience
Before leading your own classroom, you'll need practice applying the educational techniques and principles you've learned in school. This will help you connect the dots between theory and applied practice, which is essential to your professional development.
To that end, New Mexico requires student teaching experience as a precondition for licensure. To get your New Mexico teacher certification, you'll need at least 14 weeks of supervised student teaching experience. State-approved educator prep programs build these experiences into their academic requirements.
3. Take Required Certification Tests
Educator assessments validate your teaching knowledge to the regulators who represent the public interest. Certification tests ensure that you have the necessary knowledge to be an effective teacher, and that you have the ability to apply that knowledge.
New Mexico uses Praxis exams issued by Educational Testing Service (ETS). The exam(s) you'll need to take depend on what type of teacher you're planning to become. For a complete list of exam requirements for specific teaching roles, consult this Public Education Department resource.
4. Apply for Certification
When you apply for New Mexico teacher certification, state officials will verify your credentials. They'll validate your academic record, make sure you've met the practice teaching requirements, and check your educator assessment scores. If everything is in order, you'll officially qualify for certification.
Your application includes questions about your background, which are designed to ensure you're eligible to work with children. You'll also need to undergo a formal background check, which the New Mexico Department of Public Safety conducts.
5. Maintain Your Certification
New Mexico requires teachers to renew their licenses at fixed, regular intervals. This policy ensures that educators continue to meet high professional standards.
Renewal frequencies and requirements vary, depending on the licensing tier you're in. For example, you can't obtain a Level III New Mexico teaching license unless you hold a master's degree or National Board teacher certification.
What's the Three-Tiered Licensure System in New Mexico?
New Mexico uses a tiered licensing system with three levels. It was created as a means of prompting educators to commit to career-long professional development and improvement.
To progress from one level to the next, you'll need to build additional proficiencies and display your ability to meet increasing levels of responsibility by submitting a Professional Development Dossier (PDD) for officials to review.
Here's a general overview of the system:
- Level I: Sometimes described as a provisional license, Level I licensure applies to new teachers. You'll hold it for the first 3-5 years of your career.
- Level II: At this level, your New Mexico teacher certification remains valid for nine years. You must move from Level I to Level II within five years or you'll lose your license.
- Level III: Moving from Level II to Level III is optional. If you pursue Level III licensure, you'll need to submit an advanced PDD and hold either a master's degree or National Board teacher certification. Level III licenses are good for nine years.
How Much Will You Make as a Teacher in New Mexico?
New Mexico teacher salaries vary by school district and factors including education level, licensure level, and teaching experience.
The following table profiles salary data from Albuquerque Public Schools for the 2023-24 school year.
| Job Title | Salary |
|---|---|
| Level I Teacher, Bachelor's Degree | $54,152-$54,522 |
| Level I Teacher, Master's Degree | $54,677-$55,047 |
| Level II Teacher, Bachelor's Degree | $64,983-$81,341 |
| Level II Teacher, Master's Degree | $65,764-$83,958 |
| Level III Teacher, Master's Degree | $75,813-$89,357 |
| Level III Teacher, Doctoral Degree | $76,919-$89,696 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Teacher Certification in New Mexico
How long does it take to become a teacher in New Mexico?
It usually takes at least four years to become a teacher in New Mexico. This includes the time it takes to earn your bachelor's degree from a program incorporating the approved teaching preparation program. You also need to pass state-specific exams and background checks.
Does New Mexico pay teachers well?
New Mexico has taken bold action to improve teacher pay rates. In 2022, the state legislature approved an average pay increase of 17% for its public school teachers.
Exact pay rates vary by district, degree level, and licensure level. In Albuquerque, the highest tiers of public teacher salaries approach $90,000 per year.
How do you get certification in New Mexico?
To obtain initial teacher certification in New Mexico, you must complete a state-approved educator prep program and meet student teaching requirements. Then, you need to obtain passing scores on the relevant educator assessment exams and apply for your initial (Level I) license.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed March 4, 2024.
