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How to become a certified teacher in New Hampshire. Bachelor's degree required. Primary exam: Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators. Government fees: $370–$540. Substitute requirements: Bachelor's degree preferred; local district may set requirements. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Teacher / Substitute Teacher · New Hampshire
Everything you need to become a certified teacher or substitute teacher in New Hampshire. Education, exams, fees, and application steps — verified against New Hampshire Department of Education - Bureau of Educator Preparation and Higher Education.
Last verified: 2026-03-21
Most information on this page has been verified.
83% of data points are verified against official sources. 4 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Degree Required
Bachelor's degree
Primary Exam
Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators
Total Gov Fees
$370–$540
Initial Cert
3 years
| Minimum Education | Bachelor's degree |
| Degree Required | Bachelor's degree |
| Teacher Prep Program | Required |
| Student Teaching | Required |
| Background Check | Required |
| Fingerprinting | Required |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Citizenship | U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the U.S. |
basic skills
Passing score: Reading: 156, Writing: 162, Math: 150
Three subtests: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. All three must be passed. Required for initial credentialing.
content knowledge
Passing score: Varies by subject
Subject-specific Praxis test required for each endorsement area. New Hampshire sets its own passing score requirements.
Issued to new educators who have completed an approved preparation program, passed all required Praxis exams, and met all NH DOE requirements. Valid for 3 years.
Issued after completing 3 years of teaching under a Beginning Educator Credential, completing a mentoring program, and meeting professional development requirements. Valid for 3 years and renewable.
Minimum Education
Bachelor's degree preferred; local district may set requirements
Certificate Required
No separate certificate
Background Check
Required
Validity
Determined by hiring district
New Hampshire does not issue a separate state-level substitute teaching credential. Local school districts are responsible for hiring and vetting substitute teachers. Districts typically require a background check and fingerprinting. Most districts prefer substitutes with a bachelor's degree, though requirements vary by district.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application FeeCertification application fee | $120 |
| Fingerprint FeeNH State Police and FBI fingerprint background check | $50 |
| Exam Fees (Total)Praxis Core ($90 x 3 = $270) plus Praxis Subject Assessment ($120–$170) | $270–$440 |
| Initial CertificateIncluded in the application fee | $120 |
| Renewal FeePer 3-year renewal cycle | $50 |
| Total Government FeesIncludes application, fingerprinting, and exam fees. Does not include teacher preparation program tuition. | $370–$540 |
Graduate from a state-approved or CAEP/NCATE-accredited teacher preparation program with a bachelor's degree.
Must include student teaching/clinical experience
Pass Praxis Core (Reading, Writing, Math) and the Praxis Subject Assessment for your endorsement area.
Fee: $270–$440
Register at ets.org/praxis
Submit fingerprints for New Hampshire State Police and FBI criminal background checks.
Fee: $50
Required for all credential applicants
Submit application through the New Hampshire Department of Education online credentialing system.
Fee: $50
Upload transcripts, test scores, and program endorsement
Upon approval, receive your Beginning Educator Credential valid for 3 years.
Must complete mentoring program to advance to Experienced Educator Credential
New Hampshire offers several alternative routes to credentialing. The most common is the Alternative 4 pathway, which allows individuals with a bachelor's degree and content expertise to earn credentials through a combination of coursework, mentoring, and demonstrated competency. The Site-Based Alternative 5 pathway allows districts to develop customized certification plans.
Available Programs:
CE Required
Yes
Hours per Cycle
75
Renewal Cycle
3 years
New Hampshire requires 75 continuing education hours per 3-year renewal cycle for Experienced Educator Credentials. Professional development must align with the educator's professional development plan. Activities may include coursework, workshops, mentoring, action research, and school-based professional development.
Reciprocity Type
Case-by-case review with NASDTEC participation
Interstate Agreement
NASDTEC Interstate Agreement
New Hampshire participates in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement. Out-of-state teachers with a valid license may apply for a New Hampshire credential. They must hold a comparable license, complete a background check, and pass required Praxis exams with New Hampshire-qualifying scores.
Additional requirements: Must pass Praxis exams with NH-qualifying scores; background check required
Unique to New Hampshire: New Hampshire is distinctive in using the term 'credential' rather than 'license' or 'certificate.' The state's alternative certification pathways (particularly Alt 4 and Alt 5) are relatively flexible and portfolio-based, allowing individuals to demonstrate competency through multiple means rather than just standardized testing.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in New Hampshire.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#16 of 51
Cost
#16 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education (SOC 25-2021)
Entry Level
$59,550
25th percentile
Median
$64,430
+3% vs. national avg ($62,340)Experienced
$79,410
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
4,390 employed in this state
Note: BLS category covers elementary school teachers only. Secondary, special education, and other teaching specializations have separate SOC codes with different wage data.
Source: BLS OEWS – Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
0%
Below AverageNew Jobs
-500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
103,200
per year (avg.)
1.4M currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Source: NH DOE - Bureau of Educator Preparation and Higher Education
Estimated total: 216–234 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: NH DOE - Bureau of Educator Preparation and Higher Education
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: NH DOE - Bureau of Educator Preparation and Higher Education
Study guides for Praxis Core and subject-specific teacher exams.
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New Hampshire requires completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program to earn your teaching certificate. Explore approved programs and alternative certification routes.
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