Preschool teachers licensed in New Mexico must fulfill minimum education requirements before working with students. Teachers must have completed a bachelor's degree program from an accredited university or college. Although the state does not require preschool teacher candidates to hold specific degrees, they must have completed at least 36 credit hours of course work in early childhood education. Additionally, preschool teachers must have completed at least six college credits in reading instruction.
New Mexico requires licensed preschool teachers to complete a specific level, or hour amount, of student teaching. This includes hands-on college-level classes in categories such as field placement, teaching practicum or student teaching. Preschool teachers must complete 18 to 30 credit hours of field placement/student teaching while studying for a bachelor's degree or higher. During student teaching or field placement, the student teacher must focus on one early childhood age category, such as birth through age 3, ages 3 through 5 or ages 5 through 8. After completing the student teaching/field placement requirement, candidates must also participate in at least 150 clock or contact hours in a second practicum experience with children of a different age.
Previous work requirements for New Mexico preschool teachers include three years of direct experience caring for or instructing children in an early childhood center, day care site or preschool. Teaching candidates must have worked with children in two age range groups (birth to age 3, age 3 to 5, or age 5 to 8). This employment must be verified by a supervisor.
Licensed preschool teachers in New Mexico must pass both the Basic Skills and Teacher Competency and Early Childhood sections of the New Mexico Teacher Assessment examination. Out-of-state teachers may substitute an instructional certificate from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards for this requirement.