STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

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INTRODUCTION

We appreciate your interest in public education in New Hampshire. If further assistance is needed, please contact us.

The New Hampshire State Board of Education recognizes that persons may become qualified as educators through a variety of educational and life experiences. Therefore, the following five alternatives for becoming a certified educator in New Hampshire are available to you.

ALTERNATIVE 1 is a process whereby the New Hampshire State Board of Education approves programs of professional preparation in education and the chairperson of the Education Department of each institution recommends certification to the Bureau of Credentialing. If you are about to complete an approved program in New Hampshire, please contact the certifying officer of the Education Department of the institution you are attending for the certification application.

The following information must be submitted by persons applying for certification under Alternative 1:

Application for certification and NON-REFUNDABLE application fee of $80.00. Make the check payable to STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

ALTERNATIVE 2 is a process whereby the State of New Hampshire and several states and territories of the United States have entered into an agreement concerning certification. This agreement is called the Interstate Certification Compact.

A. If you are a graduate, within the past three years *, of an approved program of professional preparation in one of the states belonging to the Interstate Certification Compact and wish to apply for certification under Alternative 2, please submit the following:

1. Completed application.
2. An official transcript bearing the institutional recommendation or an official transcript plus an official statement from the chairperson of the preparing institution attesting to your having completed its approved program.
3. A copy of Valid Credential both sides).
4. A NON-REFUNDABLE application fee of $80.00; make check payable to STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

   * If you graduated more than three years ago, professional growth may be required. If it is necessary, applicants will be sent information pertinent to their situations.

B. Holders of valid certification based on a baccalaureate or higher degree with at least 3 years successful regular teaching experience in the past 7 years under certificates in ICC states, meet the experience requirements for a comparable certificate.

1. Completed application.
2. A copy of the valid credential.
3. A NON-REFUNDABLE application fee of $80.00; make check payable to STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
4. Official Transcripts.

Persons who have completed programs in states not party to the Interstate Certification Compact may also be eligible for certification in New Hampshire if such programs are comparable with those in this state. In addition, some candidates for certification as school principal or superintendent of schools may be eligible for certification if their coursework and experience is comparable to what is required in New Hampshire.

ALTERNATIVE 3 is designed for candidates who have gained the competencies, skills, and knowledge through means other than Alternative 1 or Alternative 2. The Alternative 3 is a process which includes both written examination and oral review. Candidates may request teaching, administrative or educational specialist certification on the basis of demonstrated competencies and equivalent experiences.

In order to determine eligibility for Alternative 3, Bureau staff must have the following: (1) completed application; (2) letter of intent from the candidate to pursue Alternative 3; (3) official college transcripts; (4) employer verification of 3 months full time teaching. Additional experience is required for administrators and some specialists. Details are available from the Bureau.

Upon receipt of these items detailed procedures and list of additional materials required will be mailed to you if you qualify. The NON-REFUNDABLE $100.00 processing fee for this Alternative is due at the time of submission of the additional required materials.

ALTERNATIVE 4 is a certification process restricted to critical shortage areas, certain vocational areas, and to business administrators. A superintendent may employ a candidate who meets eligibility requirements. The superintendent of school, or his/her designee, shall then develop an Individualized Professional Development Plan (IPDP) leading to full certification. Entry level requirements for all areas are available from the Bureau. A list of critical shortage areas for the following school year is published by the Bureau each August.

ALTERNATIVE 5 is an on the job training option which allows an individual to attain certification in elementary and secondary teaching areas if he/she has a bachelor's degree (a 2.50 GPA overall and at least 30 credits in the area they wish to pursue certification) and if a local school district is willing to assume the responsibility for training and supervising the teacher candidate. A superintendent may hire an individual who possesses a statement of eligibility issued by the Bureau of Credentialing. The teacher candidate must complete some study of teaching principles and techniques before assuming full control of a classroom and additional study during an apprenticeship year. The school district must appoint a mentor teacher to provide support for the apprentice. Eligibility requirements are available from the Bureau. Persons seeking letters of eligibility should submit a completed application, official transcripts of all academic work, and a non-refundable processing fee of $25.00. Make the check payable to the STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

NOTE: Effective July 1, 1988, all candidates for initial New Hampshire certification under Alternative 2, 3, 4, or 5 must demonstrate competence in the basic skills of reading, writing, and mathematics by one of the following:

1. possession of a master's degree
2. possession of a valid teaching credential from a state which requires a basic skills competence test for educational certification
3. statement from the candidate's undergraduate institution testifying to the basic skill competence (Ed 514.01)

Effective January 1,1994, all candidates for initial New Hampshire certification under Alternative 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 and any candidates renewing certification, must complete a Criminal History Record Check before any credential can be issued.

Processing of your application may take from six to eight weeks. We appreciate your patience. We will respond as promptly as possible.

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