6.60.4 NMAC

TITLE 6 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

CHAPTER 60 SCHOOL PERSONNEL - GENERAL PROVISIONS

PART 4 LICENSURE RECIPROCITY

6.60.4.1 ISSUING AGENCY: Public Education Department (PED)

[6.60.4.1 NMAC - Rp 6 NMAC 4.2.2.3.1, 07-01-01; A, 10-14-04]

6.60.4.2 SCOPE: All persons who possess a minimum of a baccalaureate degree, have completed their education preparation programs at educational institutions outside the state or hold a valid out-of-state license, and are now seeking a teaching or administrative license or an endorsement from the PED.

[6.60.4.2 NMAC - Rp 6 NMAC 4.2.2.3.2, 07-01-01; A, 10-14-04; A, 10-31-07]

6.60.4.3 STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Sections 22-10A-12, 22-10A-6 (C) (D), and 22-10A-12 NMSA 1978.

[6.60.4.3 NMAC - Rp 6 NMAC 4.2.2.3.3, 07-01-01; A, 10-14-04]

6.60.4.4 DURATION: Permanent

[6.60.4.4 NMAC - Rp 6 NMAC 4.2.2.3.4, 07-01-01]

6.60.4.5 EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2001, unless a later date is specified at the end of a section.

[6.60.4.5 NMAC - Rp 6 NMAC 4.2.2.3.5, 07-01-01]

6.60.4.6 OBJECTIVE: This rule governs the requirements for providing limited reciprocity to obtain teaching or administrative licensure, or licensure endorsement, for those persons having completed their education preparation programs at educational institutions outside the state or holding valid out-of-state licensure.

[6.60.4.6 NMAC - Rp 6 NMAC 4.2.2.3.6, 07-01-01; A, 10-31-07]

6.60.4.7 DEFINITIONS:

A. “Core academic subjects” means English, language arts, reading, mathematics, science, modern and classical languages, except the modern and classical Native American languages and cultures of New Mexico tribes and pueblos, the arts, including music and visual arts, and social studies, which includes civics, government, economics, history, and geography.

B. “Academic major,” under this rule, means twenty-four (24) to thirty-six (36) semester hours in a core academic subject area, twelve hours of which must be upper division for secondary 7-12, middle level 5-9, and pre-K-12 specialty area licenses.

C. "Full school year" means a minimum of 160 instructional days in a school year or 480 instructional days or equivalent number of days in schools or school districts on alternative schedules over multiple school years of full-time or part-time teaching during which the teacher is the teacher of record or serves as an instructional coach or resource teacher in at least one class each school year while holding a standard teaching license. An equivalent number of instructional hours may be accepted for those teachers who do not teach every day. Instructional days may include teaching in summer school or similar educational setting.

[6.60.4.7 NMAC - N, 10-14-04; A, 10-31-07; A, 06-15-09]

6.60.4.8 REQUIREMENTS:

A. Persons seeking a reciprocal level 1 license for elementary k-8, early childhood birth-grade 3, secondary or secondary vocational technical 7-12, middle level 5-9, special education pre K-12, or grade pre K-12 specialty area, or grade pre K-12 blind and visually impaired, through reciprocity, shall meet the following requirements:

(1) hold a bachelor's degree or higher degree from a regionally accredited or PED approved college or university; and

(2) hold and provide a copy of at least one current valid teaching license issued by a state education agency, including PED or department of defense dependent schools or foreign country that is comparable to the license they are seeking; and

(3) have completed a standard or alternative teacher preparation program approved in another state or accepted by the PED; and

(4) provide copies of test scores for exams that were required to receive the license; and

(5) if applying for:

(a) early childhood birth-grade 3 or k-8 elementary licensure, provide evidence of having passed a content knowledge or professional knowledge test on the basic early childhood or elementary school curriculum and on any additional core academic endorsement areas or have completed 24 lower or upper division credit hours across the elementary education core academic subjects of language arts, social studies, mathematics, and science with at least six credit hours in each core area;

(b) secondary or secondary vocational and technical 7-12, middle level 5-9, or grades pre K-12 specialty area licensure in the core academic areas, provide evidence of having passed a content knowledge test in each of the core academic subjects in which the applicant seeks licensure or having completed an academic major, a graduate degree, or coursework equivalent to an academic major in each of the core academic subjects in which the applicant seeks licensure;

(c) licensure in non-core academic subjects, special education pre K-12, or blind and visually impaired pre K-12 licensure, have, on a form acceptable to the PED, provided evidence of having satisfactorily taught under their out of state license or licenses or have passed the applicable New Mexico teacher assessment (“NMTA”) and

(6) have, on a form acceptable to the professional licensure bureau (“PLB”) of the PED, provided evidence of having satisfactorily taught in any state or foreign country or combination of other states or countries other than New Mexico for fewer than three (3) full school years at any time preceding their application for licensure while holding at least one standard out-of-state or New Mexico teaching license or foreign country authorization to teach or combination of any of the aforementioned licenses or authorizations, and

(7) submit to and satisfactorily clear a fingerprint-based background check pursuant to Section 22-10A-5, NMSA 1978.

B. Persons seeking a level 2 license for elementary k-8, early childhood birth-grade 3, secondary or secondary vocational technical 7-12, middle level 5-9, special education pre K-12, or grade preK-12 specialty area, or grade pre K-12 blind and visually impaired, through reciprocity, shall meet the following requirements:

(1) hold a bachelor's degree or higher degree from a regionally accredited or state approved college or university; and either

(2) hold a valid certificate issued by the national board for professional teaching standards; or

(3) hold and provide a copy of a valid teaching license or licenses issued by a state education agency, including PED or department of defense dependent schools or foreign country that is comparable to the license they are seeking; and

(4) have completed a standard or alternative teacher preparation program approved in another state or accepted by the PED; and

(5) have, on a form acceptable to the PED, provided evidence of having satisfactorily taught in any state or foreign country or combination of other states or countries other than New Mexico for at least three (3) full school years at any time preceding their application for licensure while holding at least one standard out-of-state or New Mexico teaching license or foreign country authorization to teach or combination of any of the aforementioned licenses or authorizations, and

(6) provide copies of test scores for exams required to receive the license and have either the required credit hours or have passed a license test for endorsement areas; and

(7) submit to and satisfactorily clear a fingerprint-based background check pursuant to Section 22-10-3.3, NMSA 1978.

C. Persons seeking a level 3-A license for elementary k-8, early childhood birth-grade 3, secondary or secondary vocational technical 7-12, middle level 5-9, special education pre K-12 or grade pre K-12 specialty area, or grade pre K-12 blind and visually impaired, through reciprocity, shall meet the following requirements:

(1) hold a master's degree or higher from a regionally accredited or state approved college or university; or

(2) hold a valid certificate issued by the national board for professional teaching standards; and

(4) have completed a standard or alternative teacher preparation program approved in another state or accepted by the PED and

(5) have, on a form acceptable to the PED, provided evidence of having satisfactorily taught in any state or foreign country or combination of other states or countries other than New Mexico for at least six (6) full school years at any time preceding their application for licensure while holding at least one standard out-of-state or New Mexico teaching license or foreign country authorization to teach or combination of any of the aforementioned licenses or authorizations; and

(6) provide copies of test scores for exams required to receive the license and have either the required credit hours or have passed a licensure test for endorsement areas; and

(7) submit to and satisfactorily clear a fingerprint-based background check pursuant to section 22-10A-5, NMSA 1978.

D. A teacher who is granted level 3-A licensure under this rule who does not demonstrate competency at level 3-A indicators in Subsection D of 6.69.4.12 NMAC for a given school year may have the license suspended under Subsection F of 6.69.4.10 NMAC.

E. Persons seeking reciprocal administrative licensure shall meet the following requirements:

(1) hold a master’s degree or higher degree from a regionally accredited or PED approved college or university; and

(2) hold a valid administrator’s license or licenses issued by a state education agency or department of defense dependent schools or foreign country;

(3) have completed a regionally accredited college or university education administrator preparation program approved in another state or accepted by the PED;

(4) provide on a form acceptable to the PED, evidence of having satisfactorily worked in any state or foreign country or combination of other states or countries other than New Mexico for at least six (6) full school years as a teacher at any time preceding their application for New Mexico licensure in education administration, or having worked in any state or foreign country or combination of other states or countries other than New Mexico for six (6) full school years either as a teacher or administrator with at least three (3) full school years of experience as a teacher at any time preceding their application for New Mexico licensure in education administration.

F. Persons holding a valid education administration license from another state or department of defense dependent schools or foreign country who are seeking reciprocal education administration licensure in New Mexico shall be exempt from satisfying the requirements of Paragraph 4 of Subsection E of 6.60.4.8 NMAC above, provided that they began their administrator preparation program prior to April 4, 2003.

[6.60.4.8 NMAC - Rp 6 NMAC 4.2.2.3.8, 07-01-01; A, 06-01-02; A, 08-30-02; A, 10-14-04; A, 10-31-07; A, 06-15-09; A, 01-29-10]

6.60.4.9 LICENSURE ENDORSEMENTS: Persons seeking to add an endorsement on the basis of regionally accredited college coursework, passage of a content test or showing the endorsement on an out-of-state license shall meet the following requirements:

A. hold the underlying license required for that endorsement; and

B. provide the out-of state documentation supporting their having satisfied the endorsement-appropriate PED requirements for the requested endorsement; and

C. if they are also seeking level 1, level 2, or level 3 reciprocal licensure under this rule, meet the requirements of either Subsections A, B or C of Section 8 of 6.60.4 NMAC above for the respective level of licensure sought.

[6.60.4.9 NMAC - N, 07-01-01; A, 10-14-04; A, 10-31-07]

6.60.4.10 BURDEN OF PROOF ON SUBMISSIONS: Consistent with the criteria enumerated above, it shall be the burden of the individual seeking the reciprocal licensure or licensure endorsement to provide supporting documentation to the PED. Individuals would have one calendar year after application receipt date in the licensure bureau to provide the documentation to have the level of license changed. After that time, the person would need to reapply and provide all proper documentation.

[6.60.4.10 NMAC - N, 07-01-01; A, 10-14-04; A, 10-31-07]

6.60.4.11 [Reserved]

[6.60.4.11 NMAC - N, 07-01-01; Repealed, 10-14-04]

6.60.4.12 IMPLEMENTATION: Persons who meet the requirements in this rule may obtain a license at a level established by the PED unless otherwise barred by statute or PED rule. The PED may issue new licenses to persons impacted by amendments in this rule with the same beginning effective dates as their original licenses. Out of state licenses that are expired will only be considered in determining a person's eligibility to receive licensure or licensure endorsement under this rule if the person has provided at least one currently valid license. Except for a certificate issued by the national board for professional teaching standards, the fact that a person seeking reciprocal licensure holds a valid out of state license or endorsement shall not in itself entitle that person to any presumption regarding the issuance of a PED license or endorsement. Nothing in this rule shall prevent a local superintendent from establishing a policy requiring a person who receives reciprocal licensure to participate in a mentorship program.

[6.60.4.12 NMAC - Rp 6 NMAC 4.2.2.3.9, 07-01-01; A, 10-14-04; A, 10-31-07]

6.60.4.13 FOREIGN COUNTRY LICENSURE RECIPROCITY:

A. Foreign country teachers seeking a reciprocal level 1 license for elementary k-8, early childhood birth-grade 3, secondary or secondary vocational technical 7-12, middle level 5-9, special education pre K-2, or grade pre K-12 specialty area, or grade pre K-12 blind and visually impaired who are licensed or hold authorization to teach in a country outside of the United States of America here after referred to as United States shall meet the following requirements:

(1) hold a bachelor’s degree from a United States regionally accredited college or university or an equivalent to a bachelor's degree from another country as verified by an official translation and evaluation from a PED accepted agency as posted on www.ped.state.nm.us; and,

(2) hold and provide a copy of a valid teaching license or authorization to teach in another country or countries that is comparable to the New Mexico license they are seeking; and,

(3) have completed a standard or alternative teacher preparation program approved in another state or country or accepted by the PED; and,

(4) if applying for:

(a) early childhood birth-grade 3 or k-8 elementary licensure, have passed the applicable New Mexico teacher assessments (“NMTA”) or other teacher competency test(s) satisfying requirements for teacher licensure in another state or country, or have completed 24 lower or upper division credit hours across the elementary education core academic subjects of language arts, social studies, mathematics, and science with at least six credit hours in each core area;

(b) secondary or secondary vocational technical 7-12, middle level 5-9, and grades pre K-12 specialty area licensure in the core academic areas, provide evidence of having completed an academic major, a graduate degree, or coursework equivalent to an academic major in each of the core academic subjects in which the applicant seeks licensure, or having passed the applicable New Mexico teacher assessments (“NMTA”) or other teacher competency test(s) satisfying requirements for teacher licensure in another state or country;

(c) licensure in non-core academic subjects, special education pre K-12, or blind and visually impaired pre K-12 licensure, have, on a form acceptable to the PED, provided evidence of having satisfactorily taught under their foreign country licensure or authorization, or have passed the applicable New Mexico teacher assessments (“NMTA”) or other teacher competency test(s) satisfying requirements for teacher licensure in another state or country; and,

(5) have, on a form acceptable to the PED, provided evidence of having satisfactorily taught in any state or foreign country or combination of other states or countries other than New Mexico for fewer than three (3) full school years at any time preceding their application for licensure while holding at least one standard out-of-state or New Mexico teaching license or foreign country authorization to teach or combination of any of the aforementioned licenses or authorizations; and

(6) submit to and satisfactorily clear a fingerprint-based background check pursuant to Section 22-10A-5, NMSA 1978 or provide proof of a criminal history background clearance from their country of residence.

B. Persons seeking a level 2 license for elementary k-8, early childhood birth-grade 3, secondary or secondary vocational technical 7-12, middle level 5-9, special education pre K-12, or grade pre K-12 specialty area, or grade pre K-12 blind and visually impaired, through reciprocity, shall meet the following requirements:

(1) hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a college or university, which if located in the United States must be regionally accredited; and either

(2) hold a valid certificate issued by the national board for professional teaching standards; or

(3) hold and provide a copy of a valid teaching license or authorization to teach in another country or countries that is comparable to the New Mexico license they are seeking; and

(4) provide a valid translation and evaluation of transcripts and other documentation from outside of the United States; and

(5) have completed a standard or alternative teacher preparation program approved in another state or country or accepted by the PED; and

(6) meet the requirements of Paragraph (4) of Subsection A of 6.60.4.13, NMAC; and

(7) have, on a form acceptable to the PED, provided evidence of having satisfactorily taught in any state or foreign country or combination of other states or countries other than New Mexico for at least three (3) full school years at any time preceding their application for licensure while holding at least one standard out-of-state or New Mexico teaching license or foreign country authorization to teach, or combination of any of the aforementioned licenses or authorizations; and

(8) submit to and satisfactorily clear a fingerprint-based background check pursuant to section 22-10A-5, NMSA 1978 or provide proof of a criminal history background clearance from their country of residence.

C. Persons seeking a level 3 license for elementary k-8, early childhood birth-grade 3, secondary or secondary vocational technical 7-12, middle level 5-9, special education pre K-12, or grade pre K-12 specialty area, or pre K-12 blind and visually impaired, through reciprocity, shall meet the following requirements:

(1) hold a master’s degree or higher degree or equivalent from a college or university, which if located in the United States must be regionally accredited; and either

(2) hold a valid certificate issued by the national board for professional teaching standards; or

(3) hold and provide a copy of a valid teaching license or authorization to teach in another country or countries that is comparable to the New Mexico license they are seeking; and

(4) have completed a standard or alternative teacher preparation program approved in another state or country or accepted by the PED; and

(5) provide a valid translation of transcripts and other documentation; and

(6) meet the requirements of Paragraph 4 of Subsection A of 6.60.4.13 NMAC; and

(7) have, on a form acceptable to the PED, provided evidence of having satisfactorily taught in any state or foreign country or combination of other states or countries other than New Mexico for at least six (6) full school years at any time preceding their application for licensure while holding at least one standard out-of-state or New Mexico teaching license or foreign country authorization to teach or combination of any of the aforementioned licenses or authorizations; and

D. A teacher who is granted level 3-A licensure under this rule who does not demonstrate competency at level 3-A indicators of Subsection D of 6.69.4.12 for a given school year may have the license suspended under Subsection F of 6.69.4.10 NMAC.

[6.60.4.13 NMAC - N, 06-01-02; A, 08-15-03; A. 10-14-04; A, 10-31-07; A, 06-15-09]

HISTORY OF 6.60.4 NMAC:

Pre-NMAC History: Material in this part was derived from that previously filed with the Commission of Public Records - State Records Center and Archives:

SBE Regulation 86-3, New Mexico Licensure Requirements Governing Persons Having Completed Their Education Preparation Programs At Educational Institutions Outside The State Of New Mexico, 7-14-86

History of Repealed Material:

6 NMAC 4.2.2.3, Requirements Governing Persons Completing Their Educational Programs at Institutions Outside New Mexico - Repealed, 7-1-01