Want to become a teacher in the great state of New Hampshire? If so, you have come to the right place. Below you will find a short article that lists the steps to becoming a teacher in New Hampshire.

Step 1: Complete an Approved Teacher Preparation Program

To teach in the U.S., educators must hold at least an undergraduate degree. The state of New Hampshire also requires students to complete a state-approved teacher education program to receive certification. New Hampshire does not have any additional semester-hour requirements, although each field or subject area requires specific competencies. See NH Teacher Certification Standards for additional information.

Teacher education programs generally consist of two elements—curriculum and field experiences. Curriculum typically includes instruction on teaching foundational skills, pedagogy (the science of teaching), and preparing students to research, create, and implement learning experiences in their field of study. Field experiences often include field observations, internships, student teaching, or a combination of all three. See NHDE’s listing of N.H. Approved Teacher Education Programs for additional information.

Step 2: Complete the Required Exams

In New Hampshire, you must pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exams, and the  Praxis II: Content Assessment exam(s). Teacher education candidates who want to obtain certification in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Reading and Writing Teaching, and Reading and Writing Specialist must take the Foundations of Learning exam administered by Pearson. Find out more about earning your New Hampshire teaching credential through the New Hampshire Department of Education Bureau of Credentialing.

Step 3: Submit a New Hampshire Teaching Credential Application

If you have completed all of the requirements, you are prepared to file for educator certification in New Hampshire. This can be done via the Application for Certification form, which you can obtain from a licensure officer at your New Hampshire educator preparation program, authenticating that you have completed your teacher preparation program. Send your application to State of New Hampshire – Department of Education, Division of Program Support, Bureau of Credentialing, 101 Pleasant St., Concord, NH 03301-3860.