New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 6 - PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
Chapter 60 - SCHOOL PERSONNEL - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Part 5 - COMPETENCY TESTING FOR LICENSURE
Section 6.60.5.13 - RIGHTS OF A TESTING APPLICANT
Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024
The PED shall advise the testing applicant at the time of notification that the NMTA score will be withheld or voided, that the applicant can at any time provide the PED with a statement or documentary evidence rebutting the likely or substantiated existence of a testing irregularity. However, the testing applicant shall be cautioned that any statement or document provided by the applicant may later be used against the applicant at a PED administrative proceeding, a civil proceeding or a criminal proceeding.
A. Where a testing applicant has an initial educator licensure application on file with the PED at the time of notification that a testing irregularity has been substantiated, the applicant shall have a right to request a hearing within 30 days of the notification and shall be afforded all the procedural and substantive due process rights contained in 6.68.2 NMAC ("Denial of Applications for Licenses for School Personnel"), which rule shall govern the proceedings. The PED may combine this hearing with a licensure denial hearing. The right to discovery shall be limited as set forth in 6.60.5.14 NMAC below.
B. Where a testing applicant does not have an initial educator licensure application on file with the PED at the time of notification that a testing irregularity has been substantiated, the applicant shall have 20 days to notify the PED professional licensure director ("director") of the desire to schedule a telephonic conference-call or in-person meeting with the director. Such request must be in writing. Any relevant documents may be introduced and either side may be represented by an attorney and up to three witnesses may be called. The formal rules of evidence shall not apply and either side may at their own expense request that any witness statements be sworn and that a record be made of the meeting. The director shall issue a written decision consisting of written findings, conclusions and action to be taken. The decision will be issued to the testing applicant within 14 days of the meeting. The decision of the director, which must be based on a preponderance of the evidence, shall be final and not subject to review, appeal, or reconsideration by the agency.
C. A testing applicant with an initial educator licensure application on file with the PED at the time of notification that a testing irregularity has been substantiated, may waive the right to a hearing and proceed by way of a meeting with the director as set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph.
