All Roll Calls
Yes: 106 • No: 0
New MexicoHB 1572025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
NEW SCHOOL LICENSES
Sponsored By: Joy Garratt (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 2 costs, 4 mixed.
Existing school leaders receive two licenses
Licensed New Mexico school employees holding valid level three-B licenses on July 1, 2029, must receive two credentials. They receive both a professional site administrator license and a superintendent license. On that same date, the law repeals three prior administrator licensing provisions as part of the transition.
Minimum pay tied to principals’ responsibilities
Licensed principals and assistant principals have annual salary floors based on the level three-A teacher minimum. For elementary, middle or junior high, and high school principals, the multipliers are 1.25, 1.45, and 1.65, respectively. For assistant principals at those school levels, the multipliers are 1.15, 1.20, and 1.30, respectively. Full implementation requires the Department to adopt higher competency requirements and a uniform, highly objective statewide evaluation standard. Exact dollar amounts depend on the applicable teacher minimum.
Emergency waivers open school leadership jobs
Beginning July 1, 2025, the Department may grant one-year principalship or superintendency waivers during certified hiring emergencies. A principalship waiver requires a level two or level three-A license and emergency certification by a local superintendent or state-agency governing authority. A superintendency waiver requires a professional site administrator license and emergency certification by the local school board. These waivers serve people who lack the other requirements for the relevant leadership license. Neither waiver can be renewed.
Out-of-state educators gain New Mexico pathways
Beginning July 1, 2025, New Mexico may grant qualifying out-of-state teachers and principals level two, level three-A, or site administrator licenses. Applicants must meet applicable experience, competency, qualification, and background-check requirements; local superintendents may require mentorship, and lower-level applications remain available. An alternate initial administrator path requires a standard, valid out-of-state administrator license without restrictions, three years of site administrator experience, and a recent satisfactory evaluation. An alternate superintendent path requires that same type of out-of-state administrator license and three years of superintendent experience. Both alternate paths require approved induction enrollment and additional Department qualifications, while allowing applicants who lack the usual license qualifications.
School leaders face common performance standards
Beginning July 1, 2025, the Department must form a task force to create common performance tasks and scoring guides. Initial and professional site administrator applicants and superintendent license applicants must complete the resulting assessments. The Department must also adopt one highly objective statewide evaluation standard for principals and assistant principals. It must use student achievement and school success-plan progress, with implementation linked to each school’s responsibility level. Beginning July 1, 2025, the Department may set license requirements for administrators outside the site administrator and superintendent categories.
Student teachers need criminal history checks
Applicants seeking student-teacher licenses must undergo a criminal history record check while still in teacher preparation or a teacher residency. The provision does not specify a fee amount.
School leaders get new license paths
The initial site administrator license lasts three years, with up to two one-year renewals at the local superintendent’s request. It requires approved preparation, approved New Mexico clinical experience, three years of teaching or instructional support, and a post-baccalaureate degree or National Board certification. Preparation can come from a Department-approved program or an eligible accredited out-of-state program. Beginning July 1, 2025, the five-year professional license requires that degree or certification, approved preparation and induction, and one year of site administrator experience. Both licenses require additional Department qualifications; professional renewal requires professional development and satisfactory annual evaluations.
Superintendents get training-based license paths
Beginning July 1, 2025, a one-year provisional superintendent license requires one year of school administrator experience and approved induction-and-mentoring enrollment. Up to three renewals allow four years total; each requires approved aspiring superintendent academy enrollment and an induction coach’s recommendation. The five-year superintendent license requires one year of site administrator experience, completion of an approved academy, and approved induction-and-mentoring enrollment. Before renewal, holders must complete induction and mentoring; renewal also requires Department-required professional development. Both paths require additional Department qualifications.
Teachers get a temporary leadership path
Teachers meeting level two or level three-A requirements can get a one-year provisional site administrator license. They must enroll in approved district induction and mentoring and gain acceptance into an approved administrator preparation program. Up to three annual renewals allow four years total, with yearly proof of preparation-program enrollment and satisfactory mentoring evaluations. Moving to a professional license requires completing preparation, earning satisfactory evaluations, and meeting the professional license requirements.
Administrator training programs need state approval
Beginning July 1, 2025, administrator preparation programs need New Mexico Public Education Department approval. Standards cover aligned courses, candidate selection, clinical experience, coached student groups, and formal school partnerships. All programs seeking approval, including previously approved programs, must apply by January 15, 2027. By July 1, 2027, programs need approval before enrolling new students seeking site administrator licenses. Students enrolled before July 1, 2025, may qualify for licenses under existing program approvals.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Joy Garratt
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Brian G. Baca
Republican • House
Raymundo Lara
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/20/2025
Final Senate Vote
Yes: 40 • No: 0
House vote • 2/21/2025
Final House Vote
Yes: 66 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor - Chapter 148 - Apr. 10
4/10/2025SenateHouse has concurred with Senate Amendments
3/22/2025HousePassed in the Senate - Y:40 N:0
3/20/2025SenateSFC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation with amendment(s)
3/18/2025SenateSEC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
2/26/2025SenateSent to SEC - Referrals: SEC/SFC
2/21/2025SenatePassed in the House of Representatives - Y:66 N:0
2/21/2025HouseHGEIC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
2/18/2025HouseHEC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation with amendment(s)
2/6/2025HouseSent to HEC - Referrals: HEC/HGEIC
1/28/2025Senate
Bill Text
Final Version
4/11/2025
SFC Committee Report 3/18/25
3/18/2025
SEC Committee Report 2/26/25
2/26/2025
HGEIC Committee Report 2/18/25
2/18/2025
HEC Committee Report 2/06/25
2/6/2025
Introduced
1/28/2025