Education Requirements

In order to become a certified teacher in New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Department of Education Certification/Bureau of Credentialing (603-271-2409) expects you to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree granted by a state-approved educator preparation program.

If you graduated from an educator preparation program in a state other than New Hampshire, the Department of Education will accept your credentials if that state is a member of the Interstate Certification Contract of the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC). Even if you attended a school in a state that is not a part of the NASDTEC contract, the Department may accept your credentials if they are deemed to be equivalent to these approved credentials. Contact the Department’s Bureau of Credentialing at (603) 271-2409 for more information.

As a graduate of a foreign university, you may also qualify for New Hampshire teaching certification. You must have a detailed, course-by-course evaluation of your academic credentials performed by one of the agencies listed here. After this evaluation is submitted to the New Hampshire Department of Education Certification/Bureau of Credentialing, they will review and determine what additional classes you may need to take to meet New Hampshire standards.

Certification Options

Levels of teacher certification in New Hampshire are as follows:

• Beginning Educator Certificate - designed for new graduates with less than three years of teaching experience, valid for three years
• Experienced Educator Certificate – for those with at least three years of teaching experience, valid for three years
• Master Teacher Certificate – valid for teachers with seven years of experience who complete graduate coursework in their certification endorsement area, valid for three years

Certification standards for each educator job title/endorsement area may be found here.

Examinations

The Praxis website provides a comprehensive overview of examination requirements for New Hampshire educators.

Basic skills testing:

All teachers in New Hampshire must pass the Praxis I basic skills exam in reading, writing and mathematics prior to certification.

Content area assessment testing:
All New Hampshire educators must pass the Praxis II certification examination for their specific certification area:

• Early Childhood Education
• Elementary Education
• Middle School English Language Arts
• Middle School Mathematics
• Middle School Science
• Middle School Social Studies
• Secondary Education:
• Life Sciences
• Chemistry
• Earth/Space Science
• English Language Arts
• Mathematics, Secondary
• Physics
• Social Studies
• Art (K-12)
• World Languages:
• French
• German
• Latin
• Spanish

Experience Requirements

As a student in an educator preparation program, you will be given opportunities to gain experience and first-hand exposure to teaching in the classroom. Your practicum, which will involve observing a classroom teacher in action, will also likely allow you an opportunity to lead the class in delivering lessons.

At the end of your academic course requirements, you will be placed into a field-based experience, or internship. Your internship will likely last about 15 weeks; however, this varies depending upon your program’s policies. Most internships require you to work full-time as a classroom teacher, taking over the class, while a cooperating mentor teacher supervises you. Certification officers from your educator preparation program will evaluate your performance.

Document and Application Requirements

If you have completed all of the above mentioned requirements, you are prepared to file for educator certification in New Hampshire. This may be done via the Application for Certification form, which you will receive from a certification officer representing your New Hampshire educator preparation program, verifying that you have completed the program. Most new graduates will qualify for certification under Alternative 1 on the form, but other alternatives that may apply to your situation are explained in the form. Remember to include the following documents with your completed application and fee:

• Official transcripts from all colleges attended, indicating the educator preparation program you completed and degree(s) received
• Letters of verification of any teaching experience you are claiming
• List of Praxis tests you have passed (official score reports will be sent directly to the Department of Education by Praxis)

Mail the application and supporting documents to State of New Hampshire – Department of Education, Division of Program Support, Bureau of Credentialing, 101 Pleasant St., Concord, NH 03301-3860.

Criminal History Background Check

As a candidate for educator certification in New Hampshire, you do not have to submit to a criminal history background check. However, before you may work in any New Hampshire school system, that system will require you to undergo such a check. Your background check will be run through the New Hampshire Department of Public Safety Division of Police as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and, as such, will require fingerprinting. More information will be given to you by the employing school district when applying.

Contact Information

For further information on colleges and universities in New Hampshire offering approved educator preparation programs, contact them directly. A list of teacher preparation programs in New Hampshire is provided here for your convenience.

If you seek more information on the educator certification process in New Hampshire, contact the Bureau of Credentialing at 603-271-2409.