New Mexico Administration/Principal Certification
The Professional Licensure Bureau of the New Mexico Public Education Department issues licenses in Education Administration Pre K-12 to qualified applicants.
Education Requirements
You must meet the following education requirements:
- Possess both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from regionally accredited colleges/universities
- Complete at least 18 semester hours of graduate credit in an Educational Administration program
Learn more about the graduate school process. Contact schools offering educational administration degree programs in New Mexico.
Examinations
You must pass the New Mexico Teacher Assessment Content Knowledge Assessment in Educational Administration.
Experience Requirements
As part of your Educational Administration college program, you must complete an administrative internship/apprenticeship; or you may complete such an internship under the supervision of a local school superintendent. This internship must be at least 180 clock hours in duration. You must also hold a Level 3A New Mexico teaching license and have at least one full year of teaching experience under that license.
Document and Application Requirements
When you have fulfilled all the educational, experience and examination requirements, you may apply for a license in Education Administration Pre K-12.
- Use the Application for Initial New Mexico Licensure
- Include the correct processing fee via check or money order payable to the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED)
- Attach official college transcripts showing conference of degrees and completion of necessary programs
- Attach completed fingerprint background check packet and fee (see below)
- Attach copies of your NM teaching license
- Attach verification of employment
Mail the above documents to New Mexico Public Education Department, Professional Licensure Bureau, 300 Don Gaspar, Santa Fe, NM 87501-2786.
Criminal History Background Check
As an applicant for initial Education Administration licensure in New Mexico, you must submit to a criminal history background check. This check includes fingerprinting, which can be initiated by contacting the Educator Ethics Bureau at 505-827-6649 and requesting a fingerprint card packet.
Your local law enforcement agency will fingerprint you for a fee. You must mail the completed fingerprint card packet with your application for licensure. It may take as long as two weeks for your background check to clear, and a license will not be issued until it does.
Contact Information
For information on administrative licensure in New Mexico, contact Professional Licensure Bureau of the New Mexico Public Education Department at 505-827-5821.
