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The New Hampshire Teaching and Certification Resource

All teachers in the New Hampshire public school system must hold an educator’s license issued by the New Hampshire Department of Education. The New Hampshire Department of Education Bureau of Credentialing oversees the certification process, which is detailed below for those seeking information on how to become a teacher in New Hampshire.

How to Become a Teacher in New Hampshire

In order to teach in the state of New Hampshire, individuals must first earn New Hampshire teacher certification by fulfilling the education and testing requirements. All New Hampshire educators must hold a bachelor’s degree, complete a state-approved teacher preparation program, and pass the required content and subject area examinations.

The traditional pathway to New Hampshire teacher certification, which involves completing a professional teacher preparation program as part of the bachelor’s degree curriculum, is known as the Alternative 1 pathway. Candidates who have a bachelor’s degree but did not complete a teacher preparation program may be eligible for alternative routes to teacher certification in New Hampshire.

Quick Guide


Finding Approved Teacher Education Programs in New Hampshire

Projected Job Growth

2%

Growth in Teaching Jobs in NH through 20262

In order to obtain a New Hampshire teaching license, prospective educators must complete an approved New Hampshire teacher preparation program. You can find a list of currently approved programs through the New Hampshire Department of Education. You can also compare key metrics for these state-approved teacher preparation programs by using the sortable table on our New Hampshire schools page.

In addition to completing a teacher preparation program, candidates for certification must complete a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. There are six regional accreditation agencies that are recognized by the US Department of Education. Applicants evaluating teacher preparation programs should confirm that their school of choice is in good standing with the appropriate regional accreditation agency.

Schools may also hold accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), which was formed from the merger of the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Although CAEP accreditation is not mandatory, it is seen as a marker of high quality in terms of education curriculum and process.

New Hampshire Teacher Education Requirements

Candidates for initial teaching certification in New Hampshire must complete a bachelor’s degree and an educator preparation program approved by the New Hampshire Department of Education. In addition, once a student completes the required preparation program, he or she must be recommended for licensure by his or her university.

New Hampshire Teacher Testing Requirements

New Hampshire State SealCandidates for New Hampshire teaching certification are required to demonstrate their knowledge through a series of assessments. For initial certification, individuals must demonstrate basic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics by passing the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exam. Candidates with scores above the fiftieth percentile on the SAT, ACT, or GRE exams may have this requirement waived.

All prospective educators must demonstrate subject-specific knowledge by taking the Praxis Subject Assessments for the subject(s) to be taught. Finally, candidates for certification in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, or Reading and Writing must take the Pearson Education Foundations of Reading test.

Additional New Hampshire Teacher Certification Requirements

By state law, those working as teachers in New Hampshire must submit fingerprints for a state and federal background check. This background check is typically completed through the teacher preparation program attended prior to student teaching. New Hampshire public schools are responsible for ensuring that all teachers have a current and clear background check on file prior to placing a teacher in the classroom.

New Hampshire Teachers Licensing Application Process

Once all steps towards New Hampshire educator certification have been completed, applicants must apply for a teaching license through the state’s Bureau of Credentialing. The processing of documents can take up to three months so it’s recommended to send in all information with ample time before the school year/semester begins. Required documents include:

  • Official transcripts showing proof of bachelor’s degree.
  • Proof of completion of an approved teacher preparation program, including an institutional recommendation for a license.
  • Passing scores on the required examinations.
  • Payment of non-refundable certification processing fee.
  • Completed application for teaching certification in New Hampshire.

It is strongly recommended that candidates submit their application online through the myNHDOE portal. Visit the New Hampshire Department of Education website for further details on New Hampshire teacher certification.

New Hampshire Teacher Outlook, Salary, and Jobs

There are 490 public schools in New Hampshire, with an estimated student enrollment of 180,888 as of the 2016-2017 school year.3 With about 14,759 teachers, this gives New Hampshire a student-to-teacher ratio of 12:1.3

Projections suggest 410 average annual job openings for elementary school teachers, 260 average annual job openings for middle school teachers, and 350 average annual openings for secondary school teachers in New Hampshire through 2026.3 Elementary school teachers in New Hampshire earn an average annual salary of $58,230, middle school teachers an average annual salary of $57,640, and secondary school teachers an average annual salary of $61,510.4 For updates on education policy and the teaching job market visit the National Education Association – New Hampshire.

TypeNumber EmployedAverage Annual Salary
Preschool Teachers2,950$30,860
Preschool Teachers, Special Education50*$48,920*
Kindergarten Teachers410$56,510
Elementary School Teachers5,620$58,230
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School990$58,230
Middle School Teachers3,120$57,640
Middle School Teachers, Special Education580$54,550
Secondary School Teachers5,130$61,510
Secondary School Teachers, Special Education680$61,480
Secondary School Teachers, Career/Technical Education330$61,480

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2018.4
*Data as of 2015.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What are the requirements to become a high school teacher in New Hampshire?

Answer: To become a high school teacher in New Hampshire candidates must earn a license to teach secondary education through the state. To be eligible for the credential, you must have a bachelor’s degree and have completed a teacher preparation program. You must also pass the state’s required assessments for educators.

Question: How much do teachers in New Hampshire make?

Answer: The average salary for New Hampshire teachers at the elementary, middle, and high school levels (excluding special and career/technical education) is over $59,000 per year.4 Factors that may contribute to teacher salary include location of school and district, level taught, teacher experience, and teacher education level.

Question: How do I become a substitute teacher in New Hampshire?

Answer: New Hampshire does not have minimum requirements for substitute teachers at the state level. It also doesn’t offer a substitute teacher certificate. Individual school districts set the minimum requirements for substitutes. If you would like to become a sub in New Hampshire, you should check with school districts in your area to see what they require.

References:
1. New Hampshire Department of Education: https://nhdoepm.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CHD/overview
2. Projections Central, Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm
3. National Center for Education Statistics, State Nonfiscal Public Elementary/Secondary Education Survey Data, 2016-2017: https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/stnfis.asp
4. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2018 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, New Hampshire: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nh.htm