The State Public Education Department, Professional Licensure Unit, is responsible for evaluating all educator requests for licensure and fingerprinting for background checks required for all initial licensures.  Application forms for the Catholic school system are accessible from our Personnel page.  Licensure Instructions and forms are available from the PED directly, which may be reached in Santa Fe at 505-827-6581 or online at http://ped.state.nm.us.

Librarian 3-Tier Licensure

Requirements & Guidelines for Preparation of the New Mexico Librarian-Teachers Professional Development Dossier (LPDD)

Applicants are forewarned that the application packet must arrive at the Professional Licensure Unit as a complete unit; otherwise, the items will be destroyed or returned, causing delays and possible denial of the licensure request.  Outdated application forms also will be returned, so be sure to use current application forms and follow instructions carefully.  All required fees must be sent with the application packet in the form required (i.e. certified check or money order).  Questions about these procedures and forms may be directed to the Catholic Schools Office or the Professional Licensure Unit.

Procedures for Licensure
This information is provided by the Catholic Schools Office (CSO) to assist educators in applying for licensure with the State of New Mexico and is included, with the required forms, in the  Handbook of Policies and Regulations, section PER-421, available at each school and at the CSO.  The application for licensure is independent of the application to work for the Catholic schools.  Questions about licensure should be directed to the Catholic Schools Office (505-831-8173) or the State Public Education Department (PED) Professional Licensure Unit (505-827-6581).

Initial New Mexico Licensure
The minimum requirement for licensure from the State of New Mexico is a bachelor’s degree that includes an educator preparation program from a regionally accredited college or university.

The State Public Education Department requires fingerprinting for a criminal background check as part of all applications for initial licensure.  Strict guidelines must be followed in doing this, and the Catholic Schools Office can provide a complete set of instructions and fingerprint cards.  Since this background check can take up to three months, applicants for initial licensure are encouraged to begin this process approximately two months before submitting the rest of the application forms.  To do this:

1. Contact all universities you attended and have them send to you official transcripts bearing the university’s official seal, either embossed or in color; do not open the envelopes when you receive them. (Official transcripts stamped "Issued to Student" are acceptable, provided the school’s seal is embossed or in color.) These transcripts will be kept by the PED in your case file.

2. Complete an "Application for Initial Licensure" form.  Submit your complete application packet, including test scores and official transcripts, to the Professional Licensure Unit at the address indicated on the application form.  For teacher licenses, a certified check or money order for $65 payable to the NM State Public Education Department must accompany the application.  The fee for EA or athletic coaching is $25. (See the section below on the New Mexico Teacher Assessments requirement.)

Applications for License Renewal
In our Catholic schools, re-licensure begins in January for anyone whose license expires during the current year. Applications completed incorrectly will be returned, resulting in processing delays.  Follow this procedure:

1. Applicant completes the "Application for Continuing New Mexico Licensure" form.  Be sure to sign the form. For teacher re-licensure, attach a certified check or money order for $35 payable to the NM State Department of Education; for EA or coach re-licensure, attach a check for $25.

2. Applicant completes Section I of the "Superintendent’s Recommendation Form For Continuing Licensure." Supervisor completes Section II.  (The principal's and superintendent's signatures are required for this section.)

3. The superintendent completes and signs Section III of the "Superintendent’s Recommendation" form.

4. The applicant sends these materials to the Professional Licensure Unit at the PED and retains a copy for the CSO personnel file.

5. The Professional Licensure Unit sends the new license directly to the applicant.

6. Upon receipt, applicant sends a copy of the new license to the CSO.

New Mexico Teacher Assessments
As of July 1, 1999, the State Department of Education examination, entitled the "New Mexico Teacher Assessments," replaces the NTE Core Battery.  It is required of applicants for initial licensure who have not taken the NTE Core Battery as of July 1, 1996, or teachers whose New Mexico licenses have expired and who have not taken the NTE Core Battery as of July 1, 1996.  The exam consists of three subtests which measure the applicant’s skills in the following areas:

1. Basic Skills:  reading, writing and basic mathematical functions.

2. General Knowledge:  scientific principles, social science, fine arts and humanities.

3. Competency:  pedagogical skills at either the elementary or secondary level for both regular and special education.

The exam incorporates the State Board of Education’s Teacher Competencies and Indicators and is designed to reflect the cultural diversity of New Mexico.  It is criterion-referenced and will incorporate multiple modes of assessment — selected response, restricted response and extended response.  The test is given three times per year at six test sites throughout the state; up to four hours are allowed for each section so that applicants may complete the exam without pressure, and up to two sections may be taken in one day.  Those who lack one or two sections of the NTE Core Battery will be required only to take the corresponding New Mexico sections.  For more information and registration, go to www.nmta.nesinc.com.
 

See also:  Personnel, Catholic Schools Office, Directory, Professional Development

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