New Mexico Teacher Certification Renewal
Learn how to renew a Professional Educator Certification or reinstate a Professional Educator Certification in New Mexico.
Teaching Certification Renewal
If you want to upgrade your Level 1 New Mexico Teaching License to a Level 2, you must:
- Have three full years of teaching experience (minimum 160 days per year)
- Complete the Professional Development Dossier (PDD) (instructions may be found here) that will detail your professional growth and teaching practice for the past three years. You will be asked to explain what you did on various occasions in teaching during the past three years and substantiate that explanation with data. Two external reviewers, only one with the same subject expertise as you, will review your PDD.
- To renew a Level 2 license and keep it at the same level, you may do so online via the Same Level Licensure system and submit the Application for New Mexico Continuing Licensure. You will also be asked to submit a statement from your school superintendent recommending your continuing licensure, or, if you have not been employed during the life of the license, a notarized statement to that effect.
To upgrade a Level 2 license to a Level 3A license, you must:
- Have three full years of teaching experience (minimum 160 days per year) while holding a Level 2 license and complete one of the following requirements:
- Earn a master’s degree and submit a Professional Development Dossier OR
- Become Nationally Board Certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
You may renew a Level 3A license online through the Same Level Licensure system and submit the Application for New Mexico Continuing Licensure. You will also be asked to submit a statement from your school superintendent recommending your continuing licensure or, if you have not been employed during the life of the license, a notarized statement to that effect.
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Reinstatement of Certification
If your Level 2 or Level 3A license expires, you may be able to have it reinstated, or you may be asked to re-apply for a Level 1 license, depending upon your situation. Contact the Professional Licensure Bureau of the New Mexico Public Education Department at 505-827-5821 for more information.
