NEW MEXICO
STATE RESOURCES

New Mexico requires all educators to compete at least a Bachelor's degree. More information can be found here: https://webnew.ped.state.nm.us/bureaus/licensure/licensure-requirements/special-education-pre-k-12/ 

All special educators must pass the following Praxis exams:

• Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K-6 5622, or

• Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 5624 and

• Special Education: Foundational Knowledge 5355

More information on testing, as well as additional testing needed for specific practice areas, can be found here: https://praxis.ets.org/state-requirements/newmexico-tests.html

• $150 (non-refundable) fee; and

• Initial Application via NMPED Online Licensure Portal; and

• Official sealed transcripts reflecting completion of a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university; and

  • 30 semester hours in special education coursework 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 required Praxis exams

• 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."

All requirements can be found here: https://webnew.ped.state.nm.us/bureaus/licensure/licensure-requirements/special-education-pre-k-12/ 

New Mexico offers alternative licensure opportunities for those with degrees in other areas. You can learn about these routes here: https://webnew.ped.state.nm.us/bureaus/licensure/alternative-licensure-programs-opportunities/ 

New Mexico maintains a list of all approved Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) which can be found here: https://webnew.ped.state.nm.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FY23_Approved_NMEducator_PreparationPrograms.pdf 

• Teach Plus New Mexico - https://teachplus.org/nm/ 

• Nevada Special Education Technology Assistance Project (NSETAP) - https://www.unr.edu/nced/projects/nsetap 

• Nevada State Education Association Student Program - https://www.nsea-nv.org/about-nsea/our-members/aspiring-educators 

• Teach Plus Nevada - https://teachplus.org/nv/ 

New Mexico's Higher Education Department maintains a listing of scholarship and financial aid programs for educators: https://hed.nm.gov/uploads/documents/Teacher_Programs_One_Pager_PRINT_%281%29.pdf 

• New Mexico provides two programs that cover the complete cost of tuition: the Opportunity Scholarship and the Lottery Scholarship.