A. A level one license is a provisional five-year license for beginning teachers that requires as a condition of licensure that the licensee undergo a formal mentorship program for at least one full school year and an annual intensive performance evaluation by a school administrator for at least three full school years before applying for a level two license.

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B. Each school district, in accordance with department rules, shall provide for the mentorship and evaluation of level one teachers. At the end of each year and at the end of the license period, the level one teacher shall be evaluated for competency. If the teacher fails to demonstrate satisfactory progress and competence annually, the teacher may be terminated as provided in Section 22-10A-24 N.M. Stat. Ann.. If the teacher has not demonstrated satisfactory progress and competence by the end of the five-year period, the teacher shall not be granted a level two license.

C. Except in exigent circumstances defined by department rule, a level one license shall not be extended beyond the initial period.

D. The department shall issue a standard level one license to an applicant who is at least eighteen years of age who:

(1)     holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited educational institution; (2)     has successfully completed a department-approved teacher preparation program from a nationally accredited or state-approved educational institution;

(3)     has passed the New Mexico teacher assessments examination, including for elementary licensure beginning January 1, 2013, a rigorous assessment of the candidate’s knowledge of the science of teaching reading; and

(4)     meets other qualifications for level one licensure, including clearance of the required background check.

E. The department shall issue a standard level one vocational license to an applicant who meets the requirements of Subsection D of this section or to an applicant who is at least twenty-three years of age and who:

(1)     has five or more years of professional experience in the vocational field in which the applicant will teach; and

(2)     meets other qualifications for level one licensure, including clearance of a background check pursuant to Section 22-10A-5 N.M. Stat. Ann..

F. The department shall issue an alternative level one license to an applicant who meets the requirements of Section 22-10A-8 N.M. Stat. Ann..

G. The department shall establish competencies and qualifications for specific grade levels, types and subject areas of level one licensure, including early childhood, elementary, middle school, secondary, special and vocational education.

H. The minimum salary for a level one teacher, except for a teacher licensed pursuant to Subsection E of this section, is fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for a standard nine and one-half month contract; provided that teachers in an extended learning time program or K-5 plus program shall receive additional salary at the same rate as their base salary for that teaching time.

I. After the issuance of a license, a license holder shall not be required to meet changed requirements to maintain the license until such time as the license expires and the license holder seeks renewal of the license.