The NMPED’s Professional Licensure Bureau determines qualifications for and issues licenses to educators, administrators, and ancillary staff. They also provide technical assistance to individuals seeking licensure and to local school officials who must hire licensed staff. Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement, it is the employee’s responsibility to obtain licensure, and the Personnel Office is able to assist employees that are working to obtain licensure.
Visit the PED’s website for information on some of the following popular topics, as well as many other resources:
The new Online Licensure Portal for the New Mexico Public Education Department is now available.
- You can apply, pay and track your application status online.
- The first time you access the portal, click “Register” to create your account.
- Visit the NMPED Online Licensure Portal to get started.
- Licensure Application Portal Quick Start User Guide (PDF)
- Updated Licensure FAQs Relating to Extended School Closure (PDF)
Paper applications received after May 1st will be returned.
PED Licensure Website
Online License Lookup
For further assistance, please contact:
Shauntiana Salazar ssalazar@gmcs.org (505) 721-1143
Office Hours 8:15 am thru 4:45 pm
Initial License
Apply/Renew/Reciprocate Licensure
- Online Licensure Renewal Application
- Online Renewal Quick Start Guide
- The Licensure Bureau is no longer printing and mailing a copy of the educators license(s). By the end of July 2020, the educator will have the ability to log into the licensure portal and print a copy of their license(s). In the interim all districts and charters have access to the licensure database to verify if an educator’s license is current and valid.
- For assistance with the renewal portal please make contact with NMPED directly at: licensureunit@state.nm.us.
LEAP
Leading Educators through Alternative Pathways (LEAP) is an intensive and innovative approach for a year-long alternative licensure program tailored to prepare teachers to be successful in New Mexico’s diverse classrooms. With the collaboration of stakeholders in education, LEAP was designed to be application-based, asking participants to immediately utilize strategies they learn, and is practitioner-focused, drawing heavily from teachers’ daily problems of practice. Thus, candidates will be required to work in a classroom setting as a teacher-of-record.
Alternative Licensure: OPAL Program
The Online Portfolio for Alternative Licensure (OPAL) Pathway Program allows an educator to teach at a school district for 2 years (nonrenewable, 2-year) while being mentored and evaluated at a New Mexico Public School District, as well as, simultaneously complete the required teaching of reading course(s) and required licensure exams.
The OPAL Pathway Program is a program that is set up for individuals who obtained a bachelor’s degree in a non-traditional education program and is interested in teaching. **Under this pathway, educator can only hold one (1) licensure**
Alternative Educator Prep Program
A nonrenewable, 2-year license granted to allow a person to simultaneously teach and complete face-to- face courses or online courses at an approved university or community college. The Alternative Educator Prep Program is a focused state-accredited (approved) post-baccalaureate program for obtaining your New Mexico Level 1 teaching license.
Approved New Mexico Educator Preparation Programs
The Alternative Educator Prep Program is available for individuals who obtained a bachelor’s degree in a non-traditional education program and are interested in teaching.
Note: Although the Professional Licensure Bureau does not require proof of passing the Essential Academic Skills I, II and III exams by NES/NMTA (developed by Pearson) or beginning January 1, 2020, the Praxis exams (developed by ETS), universities/colleges may require you to do so at their discretion
CBA Licensure Requirements
Collective Bargaining Agreement Article 11:
B. Licensure Requirements
1. The responsibility of obtaining a valid New Mexico teacher/administrator license lies with the employee, not the Personnel Office.
2. A valid license must be on file in the Personnel Office within three months from beginning employment duties in accordance with NMSA §22-10A-3. Otherwise, the District shall no longer compensate the employee. i) Administrative action will be initiated to remove the employee from the District, either by resignation or discharge. This information is also stated in the licensed teacher/administrator contract and/or state law.
New Mexico Statute Regarding Licensure
New Mexico Statute 22-10A-3C states: A person performing the duties of a licensed school employee who does not hold a valid license or certificate or has not submitted a complete application for licensure or certification within the first three months from beginning employment duties shall not be compensated thereafter for services rendered until he demonstrates that he holds a valid license or certificate. Any employee who is required to resign their position for failure to obtain a valid license within the statutory time frame will only be rehired at the discretion of the District.
Because of this three month deadline, we encourage you to apply for the appropriate license with the NM Public Education Department (NMPED) as soon as possible. You may find information and download an application from the NMPED website or may pick up a licensure packet in the Personnel office.
Fees
The New Mexico Public Education Department is waiving fees for the following:
- New applications
- Renewal applications
- Background Checks for “Teacher Licensure”
Dossier and OPAL submissions – The PDD submission period opened July 15th and will remain open until March 31st of 2022.
All OPAL & Dossier Submission fees are waived effective February 1, 2022, through March 31, 2022. This includes resubmissions.
If an educator is on their 3rd year of teaching (almost complete), they can submit their Dossier to advance (taking advantage of the fee being waived before 3/31/22).
Please note, the fee for renewals will only be waived if your license is expiring this year (June 30, 2022), you cannot renew a license earlier than this year.
Fees are waived effective February 1, 2022, through March 31, 2022.
To honor those educators who took the initiative to apply early, NMPED has decided to refund all fees paid in January.
However, the process for refunds will take time, beginning with the earliest applications first. NMPED expects to complete all refunds by the end of March. Applicants will be notified via email the day their refund is processed through the licensure system. We would ask that applicants be patient as this process will take time.
If you have any questions please contact Shauntiana Salazar at ssalazar@gmcs.org
Thank you,
- Support Providers $50 (Renewal for support provider $50)
- Athletic Coach $35 (Renewal for Athletic Coach $35)
- Initial and Additional Licensure Application $150
- Renewal Licensure Application $120
- Renewal Licensure Application – Administrators $130
- Adding Endorsement(s) to a Teaching License $120
How to renew: Online Renewal Quick Start Guide (PDF)
- The Licensure Bureau is no longer printing and mailing a copy of the educators license(s). By the end of July 2020, the educator will have the ability to log into the licensure portal and print a copy of their license(s). In the interim all districts and charters have access to the licensure database to verify if an educator’s license is current and valid.
- For assistance with the renewal portal please make contact with NMPED directly at: licensureunit@state.nm.us.
- Online Licensure Renewal Application
Educational Assistants
All persons who perform services as educational assistants (“EAs”) in public schools, in those special state-supported schools within state agencies, must hold valid, educational assistants licensure issued by the (“PED”). EAs shall be assigned, and serve as assistants, to school staff duly licensed by the PED. Level 3 EAs or Paraprofessionals who are assigned to work in a title I targeted assistance program or in a title I school-wide program under the act, must hold a level 3 license. Level 3 EAs shall be assigned and serve as assistants to school staff duly licensed by the PED. While there may be brief periods when EAs are alone with and in control of a classroom of students, their primary use shall be to work alongside or under the direct supervision of duly licensed staff.
Apply: https://webnew.ped.state.nm.us/bureaus/licensure/how-to-apply/education-assistant-pre-k-12/
ParaEducator Resources
The Following links pertain to obtaining your Level III Ed Assistant License with ParaEducator Testing
How To Take A Para Ed Course (PDF)
For more information contact
Verna Jim
(505) 721-1057
vjim@gmcs.org