Alternative Teaching Certification in New Hampshire
The New Hampshire Department of Education approves Alternative Routes to Certification for those who wish to teach but may not qualify for certification under the traditional routes (Alternative 1, which involves graduating from a New Hampshire educator preparation program, and Alternative 2, which entails graduating from an approved out-of-state/country educator preparation program). Alternatives 3, 4 and 5 are explained below.
Interested in learning about the traditional approach? Contact schools offering teaching certification programs in New Hampshire.
Alternative Certification Requirements
Education Requirements
Alternative 3: You must have a bachelor’s degree in the area in which you wish to become certified to teach. You must also provide a written portfolio demonstrating competency for each required certification standard.
Alternative 4: You must have a bachelor’s degree in the area in which you want to become certified. You must also seek certification in one of the statewide Critical Shortage areas, which changes each school year.
Alternative 5: If you wish to teach in a secondary education area, you must have a bachelor’s degree with a 30 credit major in the subject area you wish to teach and a 2.5 overall GPA. If you wish to teach in early childhood or elementary education, you must have a bachelor’s degree and coursework in mathematics, social studies, English and science, as well as an overall 2.5 GPA.
Examinations
Alternative 3: You must pass a half-day oral examination with the Board of Examiners. Before being allowed to teach, you must also pass the Praxis I basic skills exam and the Praxis II exam for your area of endorsement.
Alternative 4: Before being allowed to teach, you must also pass the Praxis I basic skills exam and the Praxis II exam for your area of endorsement.
Alternative 5: You must pass the Praxis I basic skills exam and the Praxis II exam for your area of endorsement.
Experience
Alternative 3: You must have at least three consecutive months of employment in the area in which you wish to teach
Alternative 4: You must provide a current work resume. Additionally, if you seek certification in certain Career and Technical Specialties, you may show additional work experience in that area (this experience can compensate for lack of a bachelor’s degree).
Alternative 5: While no experience is required to enroll in this program, as it is a site-based program you must be employed by a local school district that is willing to train and supervise you.
Criminal History Background Check
All certified teachers in New Hampshire, regardless of the route they took to gain certification, must submit to a criminal history background check when hired by a New Hampshire school district. Your fingerprints will be taken and run through state and federal databases by the New Hampshire Department of Public Safety Division of Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). You will learn more about this process when you are hired by a school district.
Criminal History Background Check
For more information on Alternative 3: contact Dr. Denise Littlefield, Administrator Bureau of Credentialing (denise.littlefield@ed.state.nh.us) or Rilma Nickerson, (603) 271-3873, Rilma.Nickerson@doe.nh.gov.
For more information on Alternative 4: contact Dr. Judith D. Fillion, Director, Division of Program Support at (603) 271-2408, or Rilma Nickerson, (603) 271-3873, Rilma.Nickerson@doe.nh.gov.
For more information on Alternative 5: contact Jean Smolen, Program Specialist, Bureau of Credentialing 603-2721-3872 or Rilma Nickerson, (603) 271-3873, Rilma.Nickerson@doe.nh.gov.
