How to Become a Teacher in New Hampshire
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In order to teach in New Hampshire, you must first be licensed. In this guide, you will learn how to become a teacher in New Hampshire. You’ll learn about the various pathways to teaching certification in New Hampshire, including pathways for out-of-state teachers relocating to the Granite State.
There are four different pathways to teacher licensure in New Hampshire: attending a state-approved college teaching degree at one of a dozen New Hampshire colleges or completing an approved out-of-state program, completing licensure competencies while teaching, demonstrating competencies prior to employment, and working as a paraeducator, school nurse, or interpreter.
According to Salary.com, the median income for a public school teacher in New Hampshire is $61,680 per year. Teachers are in demand in New Hampshire due to a teacher shortage, which has been exacerbated by an increase in teacher retirements during the pandemic.
How Do I Become a Teacher in New Hampshire?
There are four pathways to teaching in New Hampshire. They are as follows:
- Attend a state-approved licensure program. You must apply for licensure through the New Hampshire Department of Education within three years of completing a New Hampshire approved program or an approved out-of-state program.
- Complete licensure competencies while employed in the role. Applicants who choose this route must have at least a bachelor’s degree and receive a statement of eligibility from the state. They must then complete a site-based licensing plan within three years to earn their license.
- Demonstrate competencies prior to employment. Applicants can demonstrate their competencies by submitting a portfolio and submitting to an oral examination or by showing proof of teaching experience with a teaching license in another state. Applicants can also demonstrate competency by having a license issued by a national organization such as the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Transcript analysis is an option for administrative endorsements.
- Become a paraeducator. It is up to the school district whether a paraeducator license is required. If the license is required, the Bureau of Credentialing determines whether the candidate meets the requirements.
Popular Online Teaching Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Meet Minimum Education Requirements
To be eligible for teacher licensure in New Hampshire for any teaching position except paraeducator, you must have a bachelor’s degree in education or a related degree. Acceptable degrees include:
- Early childhood education
- Earth and space science
- Elementary education teacher
- English language arts
- Health educator
- Life sciences teacher
- Mathematics teacher
- Music teacher
- Physical education teacher
- Physical science
- Reading writing teacher
- Social studies teacher
- Special education
- Visual arts education
- World language – Spanish, French, German, or Russian
Twelve colleges and universities in New Hampshire offer state-approved educational programs. They are:
- Antioch University New England
- Franklin Pierce University
- Granite State College
- Keene State College
- New England College
- NHTI, Concord’s Community College
- Plymouth State University
- Rivier University
- Saint Anselm College
- Southern New Hampshire University
- University of New Hampshire
- Upper Valley Educators Institute
Gain Student Teaching Experience
All approved teacher certification programs in New Hampshire require student teaching experience. The duration of the student teaching experience varies depending on the school you attend and the program you choose.
Teacher certification programs in New Hampshire must provide educational experiences in different settings and with diverse learners. Student teaching takes place under the supervision of an experienced teacher.
The student teaching experience will go more smoothly for those who possess good communication skills. Effective teachers work well with others and adapt easily to changing conditions. They are engaging and show their students patience and empathy.
Pass Required Certification Tests
In addition to meeting the requirements for one of the pathways to licensure, applicants must pass the Basic Academic Skills Assessment (BASA) and subject area testing requirements. The BASA tests whether the applicant has basic academic reading, writing, and math skills.
To satisfy this requirement, applicants must submit passing scores on the Praxis® Core Academic Skills for Educators test or an equivalent out-of-state test. Alternatively, they may submit SAT, ACT, or GRE scores. Applicants who hold a New Hampshire beginning educator or experienced educator license or hold an out-of-state license do not need to submit BASA test scores.
In addition to the BASA requirement, candidates must take the Praxis® examination for every subject they wish to teach.
Apply for Certification
Once you have met the requirements for teaching certification in New Hampshire, you can log into the New Hampshire Department of Education portal to start your application. You will need:
- Official transcripts from your college or university showing you completed your bachelor’s degree
- Proof that you completed an approved teacher preparation program, if that’s the pathway you’re taking
- Passing scores on the BASA and subject area examinations
- Completed application
- Pay a $120 processing fee
You will also need to have your fingerprints on file with the state and have completed a background check. This is usually done through the school before the start of student teaching.
How Do I Maintain Teaching Certification in New Hampshire?
Licensed teachers in New Hampshire who are working in a New Hampshire school system can renew their teaching credentials online through the New Hampshire Department of Education portal. You must have verification from the superintendent of your school that you have completed the required professional development.
If you are not working in a New Hampshire school system, you must submit proof of at least 75 continuing education units obtained during the last three years that your license was valid. You must have at least 30 units for each endorsement area and 45 for educator competency.
Career Outlook for Teachers in New Hampshire
A nationwide teacher shortage that has affected schools in New Hampshire means an increase in demand for teachers in the state. Michael Whaland, superintendent of School Administrative Unit 13, states that a teaching position that would typically draw 30-40 applicants now only brings in about six.
Public school teachers in New Hampshire earn a median salary of $61,680 per year, according to Salary.com. This is very close to the nationwide median of $60,660 for elementary school teachers and $62,870 for high school teachers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Having a master’s degree in education may lead to a slight increase in a teacher’s salary. First-year teachers with a master’s degree earn an average of $2,760 more, while those at the high end of the pay scale earn an average of $7,358 more. This may be a good incentive for teachers to attend graduate school.
In-Demand Teaching Careers in New Hampshire
Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers
Kindergarten and elementary school teachers teach students aged 5-12. Elementary teachers typically teach all subjects to the same group of kids all day long. They teach math, science, reading, writing, and spelling. Sometimes elementary children go to other classrooms for subjects such as art and music.
Median Annual Salary: $60,660
Middle School Teachers
Middle school teachers typically teach grades 6-8. They build on the foundation that kids learned in elementary school. Schoolwork tends to get harder as students get older, so kids in middle school must learn to deal with a heavier workload than they had to endure during elementary school.
Median Annual Salary: $60,810
High School Teachers
High school teachers teach grades 9-12. They prepare students for life after high school, whether that is college or the workforce. They often specialize in a single subject area. For example, a science teacher may teach biology, chemistry, and physics, but all of the classes they teach are related to science.
Median Annual Salary: $62,870
Special Education Teachers
Special education teachers work with students who have special needs. They evaluate students’ skill levels and help create individualized education programs (IEPs) for the students. These IEPs set goals for each child’s educational progress throughout the school year. Special education teachers plan lessons and activities that will help their students meet their IEP goals.
Median Annual Salary: $61,500
Career and Technical Education Teachers
Career and technical education teachers teach subjects that are designed to prepare students to enter a career after graduation. Examples include culinary arts, graphic arts, and auto mechanics. Career and technical education teachers establish safety rules for their classrooms and enforce them. They supervise the use of tools to ensure that students don’t injure themselves.
Median Annual Salary: $59,140
Frequently Asked Questions About Teaching Certification in New Hampshire
To get teaching certification in New Hampshire, you must follow one of the four pathways outlined above. The most popular pathway is to complete a state-approved licensure program. There are twelve schools in New Hampshire that offer approved educational programs.
New Hampshire is part of an interstate reciprocity agreement that allows teachers licensed in other states to receive teacher certification in New Hampshire. Candidates who have at least three years of experience in the last seven years teaching out-of-state can use their out-of-state teaching experience to demonstrate their teaching competency. That allows them to obtain a New Hampshire educator’s license.
After meeting initial requirements such as having a bachelor’s degree, candidates can follow a site-based licensing plan to gain licensure while they are working. They must obtain a statement of eligibility from the state before entering into a site-based licensing plan.
Candidates who pursue licensing under the site-based licensing plan have three years to complete the requirements for licensure. If they fail to meet the requirements, they can reapply for a new site-based licensure plan.
Becoming a teacher in New Hampshire requires a bachelor’s degree, which takes about four years to earn. Some students may be able to complete their degree faster by taking more credits per semester or attending summer school. Others may find that it takes longer than four years to earn their bachelor’s degree.
After earning your bachelor’s degree, you must take the BASA and subject-matter tests and then submit your application. The application process can take a few months, so it is a good idea to submit your application well before the beginning of the school year.
Feature Image: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc / DigitalVision / Getty Images
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