New Hampshire Initial Teaching Certification
Gain the credentials you need

Steps to becoming a teacher in New Hampshire:

• Route 1: New Hampshire Initial Teaching Certification


The Initial New Hampshire Teacher's Certification is valid for 3 years and is Renewable.

The following are the steps to be taken to fulfill the Requirements for an Initial New Hampshire Teacher's Certificate.


• Step 1:
  
  
  You must have completed a teacher preparation program from an institution approved by the New Hampshire Department of Education. Teacher Preparation Programs.


• University of Phoenix
• Walden University
• Capella University
• Ashford University


• Step 2:
  
  
  Typically, your teacher preparation institute will provide the instructions and application to apply for your New Hampshire Teaching Certification.
  
  However, some of the known prerequisites you will need to complete before acquiring your Initial New Hampshire Teaching License are as follows:
  • You will need at least to either complete a Bachelor degree program within a teacher education program, or you will need to complete a post-baccalaureate teacher education program.
  • You will need to complete teacher competency examinations through the ETS organization.
  • You will need to complete a background check with the State of New Hampshire and the FBI.


• Step 3:
  
  
  You will need to submit a fee of $130 for the Initial New Hampshire Certification application processing. Pay by check or money order made payable to the "State of New Hampshire".


• Step 4:
  
  
  The rest of the requirements and further information will be given to you from your teacher education institution.
  
  Reauest more information from the New Hampshire Department of Education by calling this number (603) 271-2407 or (603) 271-2408.


Send materials to this address:
New Hampshire Department of Education
Bureau of Credentialing
101 Pleasant Street
Concord, NH 03301-3860



Or call for more information at (603) 271-2408


• Route 2: New Hampshire Alternative Teacher Certification


You may download information, instructions and an application to apply for the Alternative Teacher Certification Options.

The following are brief synopsis of some of the alternative options:
• Educator Option:
  The applicant must demonstrate competency through the submission of a Portfolio and Interview with a New Hampshire Board of Examiners. The applicant must also have at least 3 months of full-time, continuous teaching experience in the subject area the applicant wishes to receive their license in.


• National or Regional Certification Option:
  The applicant must pass a national or regional examination that is designed to determine the skill level of an individual in the subject area one wishes to gain licensure.


• Critical Shortage Area Option:
  The applicant must complete a professional development plan in a critical shortage area. The applicant must gain gain employment and will then need to teach successfully under the mentorship of a fellow, experienced teacher. The applicant must then receive a recommendation from their local New Hampshire Superintendent of Schools in order to receive a renewable licensure.


• Site-Based Plan Certification:
  The applicant must graduate from a 4-year college with a bachelor's degree plus 30 credit hours in the subject area where one is requesting New Hampshire certification. The applicant must successfully complete 1 full year of teaching under the mentorship of a fellow New Hampshire teacher. The candidate must then complete a Professional Development Plan and receive a recommendation from a New Hampshire local Superintendent of Schools before being given a renewable, professional teaching license.
  Find more information on this option, here.

Learn about the requirements of another state by clicking on one of the state certification links to your left.

Request information from schools by clicking on the links or school logos below.