What you need to do to get your New Hampshire teaching license active again
To reinstate a New Hampshire teaching license, you submit a reinstatement request to the New Hampshire Department of Education, Bureau of Credentialing along with proof that you meet current renewal requirements. The process takes four to eight weeks and costs a reinstatement fee (amount varies by license type). You do not need to retake the Praxis exams or complete a new teacher preparation program if your license lapsed while you were otherwise in good standing — but if your license was revoked or suspended for cause, reinstatement requires a separate review and may be denied.
The key difference between reinstatement and renewal is timing: renewal happens before your license expires, while reinstatement happens after. New Hampshire treats these as two separate processes with different forms and different timelines.
Key Takeaways
- Submit your reinstatement request to the Bureau of Credentialing using the official reinstatement form, not the standard renewal form.
- You must show proof of current CPR/First Aid certification and any other endorsement-specific requirements that were in place when your license expired.
- If your license expired more than five years ago, you may need to complete additional professional development hours or pass a content exam to show current subject knowledge.
- Licenses revoked or suspended for disciplinary reasons require a separate petition process and are not automatically reinstated.
- The reinstatement fee is non-refundable, and processing takes four to eight weeks from the date the Bureau receives your complete process.
Documents you must submit with your reinstatement request
The Bureau of Credentialing requires a completed process for Reinstatement of Teaching License (form available on the New Hampshire Department of Education website). You must also include a copy of your expired license or a transcript showing your license history, proof of current CPR and First Aid certification at the level required for your license type, and payment of the reinstatement fee by check or money order.
If you hold any subject-area endorsements (such as mathematics, English language arts, or special education), you must verify that the endorsement requirements have not changed since your license expired. The Bureau publishes current endorsement standards on its website; if standards have changed and you do not meet the new ones, you may need to complete additional coursework or pass a content assessment before reinstatement is granted.
If your license expired while you were teaching in another state or country, bring documentation of that employment. The Bureau uses this to determine whether you need additional professional development hours to demonstrate current knowledge of New Hampshire teaching standards and curriculum frameworks.
Timeline and processing steps
Mail your completed reinstatement process, supporting documents, and fee to the Bureau of Credentialing at the address listed on the process form. The Bureau does not accept online submissions for reinstatement requests. Once received, the Bureau will send you a written acknowledgment with a case number and estimated completion date.
Processing typically takes four to eight weeks. During this time, the Bureau reviews your documents for completeness and verifies your CPR/First Aid certification with the issuing organization. If documents are missing or unclear, the Bureau will contact you by mail or phone and give you a important date to submit additional materials; missing materials can add two to four weeks to the timeline.
When reinstatement is approved, the Bureau mails you a new license certificate and sends a copy to your school district or employer. Your license becomes active on the date the Bureau approves your request, not the date you receive the certificate in the mail.
When your license has been expired for more than five years
If your license expired more than five years ago, the Bureau requires additional evidence that you have kept current with changes in teaching practice and New Hampshire standards. This typically means completing 15 to 30 professional development hours in your subject area or grade level within the past two years, or passing a current content exam in your endorsement area.
Professional development hours must come from accredited sources: university courses, district-approved workshops, conferences recognized by the New Hampshire Department of Education, or online courses from recognized providers. You must submit documentation of completion (certificates, transcripts, or workshop attendance records) along with your reinstatement process.
If you cannot document professional development, you may instead take the current Praxis exam for your subject area. The Bureau will accept a passing score from the past two years as evidence of current content knowledge. You pay for the exam separately through the Educational Testing Service (ETS); the exam fee is not included in the reinstatement fee.
Reinstatement fees and payment
The reinstatement fee depends on your license type and endorsement count. Standard teaching licenses cost between $75 and $150 to reinstate; administrative licenses cost more. If you hold multiple endorsements, you may pay an additional fee per endorsement. The Bureau's website lists the current fee schedule by license type.
Payment must be by check or money order made payable to the "State of New Hampshire." Do not send cash. Include your check with your process materials when you mail them to the Bureau. The fee is non-refundable even if your reinstatement request is denied.
What happens if your license was revoked or suspended
If your license was revoked or suspended for disciplinary reasons — such as a substantiated complaint of misconduct, criminal conviction, or violation of the New Hampshire Code of Professional Conduct for Teachers — reinstatement is not automatic and requires a separate petition process. You cannot use the standard reinstatement form.
Instead, you must submit a written petition to the New Hampshire Board of Education explaining the circumstances of the revocation or suspension, what has changed since that action, and why you should be allowed to teach again. The Board reviews your petition and may request a hearing. This process can take several months and may result in denial, conditional reinstatement (with restrictions), or full reinstatement.
If you are unsure whether your license was revoked, suspended, or straightforward expired, contact the Bureau of Credentialing directly. The Bureau can tell you the status of your license and which process applies to your situation.
Common mistakes that delay reinstatement
The most frequent error is submitting a renewal form instead of a reinstatement form. These are different documents with different requirements; using the wrong form sends your process back to you and adds two to four weeks to the timeline. Check the Bureau's website to confirm you have the correct form before mailing.
Expired or missing CPR/First Aid certification is the second most common reason for delay. The Bureau will not process your process without current certification. If your certification expires before you mail your process, renew it first. Certification must be current on the date the Bureau receives your process, not the date you submit it.
Incomplete endorsement information also causes holds. If you held an endorsement when your license expired, you must list it on your reinstatement form and confirm it still meets current standards. Leaving this blank or listing only your primary license type can result in a request for clarification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I teach while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No. Your expired license is not valid for teaching. If you are hired by a school district before your reinstatement is approved, the district can issue you a temporary teaching permit valid for up to one year while you wait for reinstatement. Ask your school's human resources office about this option.
Do I have to retake the Praxis exam to reinstate my license?
Not if your license expired within the past five years and you are in good standing. If your license expired more than five years ago, you must either complete recent professional development hours or pass a current Praxis exam to show you have kept current with your subject area.
What if I moved out of state and want to come back to teach in New Hampshire?
If your New Hampshire license expired while you were teaching in another state, bring documentation of your out-of-state employment (a letter from your employer or copies of pay stubs). The Bureau may waive some professional development requirements if you can show continuous teaching experience. Submit this documentation with your reinstatement process.
How do I know if my license was revoked or just expired?
Call the Bureau of Credentialing at the phone number on the Department of Education website and provide your name and license number. The Bureau will tell you the status in one call and explain which reinstatement process applies to you.
Can I reinstate a license in a different subject area than my original endorsement?
No. Reinstatement restores your license in the same subject area and grade level it covered when it expired. If you want to teach a different subject, you must pursue a new endorsement through a teacher preparation program or alternative certification route, which is a separate process from reinstatement.