Requirements/New Mexico
Elementary Teacher in New Mexico.
Pedagogy, reading, and a content test.
- Exams
- 3
- Passing scores
- 160 · 159 · 153
- Certificate
- Elementary Education (K-8)
The exams you have to pass
In the order most candidates take them.
01
Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT): Grades K-65622
The pedagogy test, matched to your grade band.
Pass160
02
Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary5205
Pass159
03
Praxis Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment5017
Pass153
What people get wrong
Each of these costs a candidate either money or a test date.
- New Mexico is one of the few states requiring a separate reading test on top of the elementary content test.
Required, but not an exam
- A bachelor’s degree
- An approved educator preparation program, traditional or alternative
- Background check and application through the state certification office
Now go pass them.
Knowing the list is the easy part. Built To Pass teaches the strategy layer that works on any of these, aimed at the domains where you are actually losing points.
Start with your examVerified 2026-08-04 against New Mexico PED licensure and the ETS Praxis New Mexico requirements. Certification rules change by state board vote. Confirm with the state before you register for a test.