How to Become a Certified Teacher in New Hampshire
This article explains the path to becoming a certified teacher in New Hampshire. Learn about the education and certification requirements and the salary and job outlook for teachers in the state.
Information for New Hampshire Teachers
For initial certification, the New Hampshire Department of Education (NHDOE) requires candidates to earn a bachelor's degree at a school with an approved educator preparation program and pass basic skills assessment and subject assessment tests. The table below illustrates the education and test requirements as well as the salary and job outlook for teachers in New Hampshire.
| Education/Experience Required | Bachelor's degree relevant to the area of certification, New Hampshire-approved educator program |
| Exams Required | Basic skills assessment; Praxis subject test; Foundations of reading test (for elementary and early childhood education teachers) |
| License Validity Period | Initial license good for three years, can be renewed |
| Renewal Requirements | Minimum of 75 continuing education units - 30 hours for endorsement area and 45 hours for professional education requirements |
| Mean Salary (2018)* | $30,860 (preschool); $56,710 (kindergarten); $58,230 (elementary school); $57,640 (middle school); $61,510 (high school) |
| Estimated Job Growth (2016-2026, nationwide)* | 10% (preschool); 7% (kindergarten and elementary school); 8% (middle and high school) |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
Education and Training Requirements
The traditional route to teacher certification in New Hampshire is to earn a bachelor's degree as part of a state-approved professional educator preparation program (PEPP). If you already have a bachelor's degree then you can opt for a post-graduate PEPP and earn a master's degree. Candidates can find a list of approved programs on the NHDOE website. These programs incorporate field experiences that require prospective candidates to interact with students in diverse settings, thereby helping candidates develop skills and knowledge relevant to their subject area.
Exams Involved
Before entering a PEPP, applicants are required to furnish scores of their Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators tests. These tests measure the skills and content knowledge of prospective educators in three core areas. The passing grades for reading, mathematics, and writing are 156, 150, and 162, respectively. Candidates do not have to take this basic skills test if they have already met the requirements of other nationally recognized entrance exams such as the SAT, GRE or ACT.
At the end of the program, applicants must pass the Praxis Subject Assessment test for their chosen endorsement area. Prospective candidates for elementary (K-6/K-8) and early childhood education are also required to take the Foundations of Reading test administered by Pearson Education.
Salary and Job Outlook
As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual mean wage for Education, Training, and Library Occupations in New Hampshire is $52,690 (May 2018). Preschool teachers earn $30,860 and kindergarten teachers $56,710. Elementary teachers have an annual mean wage of $58,230, whereas middle school and high school teachers earn $57,640 and $61,510, respectively. The job growth for teachers nationwide in the period 2016-2026 is projected at 10% for preschool, 7% for kindergarten and elementary school and 8% for middle and high school teachers, according to the same source.
Renewal Requirements
Renewal of a teacher certification requires a minimum of 75 continuing education hours; that is, 45 hours for professional education requirements and 30 hours for one endorsement area. If you have an extra endorsement area then you will require an additional 30 units of continuing education to renew your credential. The units should be earned in the three-year period following the receipt of the initial certification.