Licensure Loopholes: New Hampshire

Analysis of New Hampshire's policies

New Hampshire allows new teachers who have not met licensure requirements to teach under an intern license, which is valid for three years. Teachers can qualify to teach under an intern license by working through Alternative 4 and Alternative 5 pathways to certification, and they do not have to take required subject-matter tests until the end of the three years for which the intern certificate is valid.  

Citation

New Hampshire Code, Chapter Ed. 500: 504.03; 505.04; 505.05 http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rules/state_agencies/ed500.html

Recommendations for New Hampshire

Ensure that all teachers pass required subject-matter licensing tests before they enter the classroom.
All students are entitled to teachers who know the subject matter they are teaching. Permitting individuals who have not yet passed state licensing tests to teach neglects the needs of students, instead extending personal consideration to adults who may not be able to meet minimal state standards. New Hampshire should ensure that all teachers pass licensing tests— an important minimum benchmark for entering the profession—before entering the classroom.

Limit exceptions to one year.
There might be limited and exceptional circumstances under which conditional or emergency licenses need to be granted. In these instances, it is reasonable for a state to give teachers up to one year to pass required licensing tests. New Hampshire's current policy puts students at risk by allowing teachers to teach on an intern license for three years without passing required licensing tests. 

State response to our analysis

New Hampshire recognized the factual accuracy of this analysis.