| License Description |
Special Education is instruction specifically designed to meet the unique needs of an educationally disabled child aged 3 to 21 who has been identified and evaluated by a school district and determined to be intellectually impaired, hearing impaired, speech or language impaired or both, visually impaired including blindness, seriously emotionally disturbed, orthopedically impaired, otherwise severely health impaired, deaf, blind, multi-disabled, traumatic brain injured, autistic, or as having specific learning disabilities. General special education certification qualifies a teacher to teach children with disabilities who are able to benefit from general and special education but do not require the knowledge of a special educator with a categorical endorsement; and whose placement is in general education for more than 50 percent of the day. Teachers working with children requiring more extensive knowledge and skills must obtain a categorical endorsement in emotional or behavioral problems; hearing impairment; intellectual disabilities; physical disabilities; visual disabilities; or learning disabilities.
Legislation: NH RSA 186; Administrative Rules Chapter Ed 507.39
Certification Requirements:
- Submit application for certification and non-refundable application fee
- Minimum of a Bachelor's degree
- General special education teachers are certified as either or both of the following:
- Early childhood general special education teacher for children from birth up to age eight
- Elementary/secondary general special education teacher for children age five up to age 21
- Alternative methods of qualification for certification:
- Alternative 1: Completion of an approved program of professional preparation in special education
- Alternative 2: Completion of a comparable program outside of New Hampshire
- Alternative 3: Qualification based on Demonstrated Competencies and Equivalent Experiences, requiring both written examination and oral review
- Alternative 4: Individualized Professional Development Plan (New Hampshire residency is required)
Examination: Initial certification requires passing the PRAXIS I pre-professional skills test (PPST) and PRAXIS II, if applicable. The State Board has approved a composite score option for PRAXIS I. Candidates must have an overall score of 518 or higher and a minimum passing score of 172 for Reading; 170 for Writing; and 170 for Mathematics. PRAXIS I and PRAXIS II exemptions are allowed for educators with either a Master's degree or higher, or who have seven or more years of educational experience under a credential issued by another state.
Continuing Education: Staff development totaling 75 clock hours (or alternative to clock hours) in the school district and/or school administrative unit staff development plan during the three-year certification period plus another 30 hours for each additional endorsement
Fees:
- Statement of eligibility, Alternative 4: $50
- Three-year certificate: $130
- Three-year renewal: $130
- Competency review, Alternative 3: $300
- Additional endorsements, per endorsement: $20
- Duplicate credential: $20
- Late filing fee: $50
Exam fees are set by the exam administrator, Educational Testing Service (ETS)
Reciprocity: Permitted in accordance with the NASDTEC Interstate Contract
revised Jan 2018 |