Merit

Certification is a formal process that validates an individual’s qualifications within a defined field of professional practice. It provides objective evidence to employers, clients, and professional peers of what an individual knows and is able to perform. Certification reflects a commitment to continued excellence, ethical practice, and ongoing professional development. In addition, it enhances professional visibility, strengthens credibility, establishes a clear benchmark for achievement, and affirms expertise both within and beyond the profession.

The NMEC Professional Certification Program is designed for educators who provide music instruction to students of any age in private, independent, or group instructional settings. The program is grounded in five established professional standards that define the knowledge, skills, and competencies expected of a qualified music educator.

Upon successful demonstration of compliance with these standards, applicants are awarded the NMEC Professional Certification credential and the designation Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM). The credential and designation are conferred without bias, discrimination, favoritism, or distinction based on membership status or any other arbitrary factor.

To maintain the NMEC Professional Certification credential and NCTM designation, certificants are required to demonstrate continued compliance with program standards through a structured renewal process.

The NMEC Professional Certification Program is administered in an objective, consistent, and impartial manner to ensure fairness, reliability, validity, and integrity. The program incorporates established due process procedures, including mechanisms for reconsideration and reinstatement, applicable to certification candidates, renewal applicants, and current credential holders.

Merit Standards

Merit I to III

Notes and Accidentals
Time Signatures (include 2/4, 3/4, 4/4)
Key Signatures (include C Major, G Major, D Major, F Major)
Scale and Modes (include Main chords)
Signs and Terms (Dynamics, Tempo)

Merit IV

Notes and Accidentals
Time Signatures (include 2/2, 3/2, 4/2, 3/8)
Key Signatures (include D Major, A Major, B♭Major, G Major) and Relations Minor
Scale and Modes (include the above-tuning)
Intervals (include Major, Minor and etc.)
Signs and Terms (Dynamics, Tempo, Character)

Merit V

Notes and Accidentals
Time Signatures (include 6/8, 9/8, 12/8)
Intervals (include Major, Minor and etc.)
Key Signatures (include E Major, A♭Major, g minor and f# minor) and Relations Minor
Scale and Modes (include Analysis the above-tuning)
Signs and Terms (Dynamics, Tempo, Character)

Merit VI

Notes and Accidentals
Time Signatures (include 6/8, 9/8, 12/8)
Intervals (include Major, Minor, Augmented and Diminished)
Key Signatures (include B Major, D♭Major, g# minor and b♭minor) and Relations Minor
Scale and Modes (include Analysis the above-tuning)
Triads (include Major, Minor)
Signs and Terms (Character or Style, Articulation, and Ornaments).

Merit VII

Time Signatures (include 5/4, 8/5, 7/4, 7/8)
Intervals (include Harmonic and Melodic)
Key Signatures (include F# Major, G♭Major, d# minor and e♭minor)
Scale and Modes (include Analysis the above-tuning)
Diatonic and Chromatic Half Steps
Primary and Secondary Triads (include Major, Minor)
Signs and Terms (Articulation and Ornaments)
Transposition

Merit VIII

Intervals (include Harmonic and Melodic)
Triads (include Qualities, two Intervals), Figured Bass
Scale and Modes
Diatonic and Chromatic Half Steps
Primary and Secondary Triads (include Augmented , Diminished)
Cadences

Merit IX

Intervals (include Harmonic and Melodic)
Triads (include Qualities, two Intervals)
Seventh Chords (include Qualities, three Intervals, Diminished Seventh Chords)
Key Signatures (include G♭Major, C♭Major, a# minor and d# minor)
Scale and Modes (include Analysis the above-tuning)
Primary and Secondary Triads (include Augmented ,Diminished)
Cadences
Modulation with a Secondary Dominant
Contrapuntal Techniques

Merit X

Notes, Time Signatures, Intervals, Triads, Seventh Chords ,Key Signatures, Cadences, Modulation, Contrapuntal Techniques, Signs and Terms, Transposition, Polyphonic Texture and Homophonic Texture

Exam Scores: 100 points
Answers: 50 questions

Majors & Programs

Choral and Sacred Music

The Choral and Sacred Music is a 60-unit program that combines the flexibility, including 29 units of general education and 20 elective credits, with an in-depth education in choral music that includes an introduction to choral music and course work in choral conducting, choral development, choral arranging, diction, and choral ensemble.

Choral Music 
Sacred Music 
Musical Arts

Composition

Composers 
Musical Arts

Keyboard

Piano 
Organ 
Celesta 
Harpsichord 
Electronic Keyboards

Strings

Harp 
Violin 
Viola 
Cello 
Bass

Vocal Arts and Opera

Vocal Arts 
Vocal / Opera 
Pop Vocal Arts

Include: pop/rock, folk-rock, R&B/Urban, country, Latin/Salsa and other popular styles

Winds and Percussion

Oboe 
French horn 
Bassoon 
Piccolo 
Flute 
Clarinet 
Saxophone
Trumpet
Trombone 
Tuba 
Percussion

Include: Timpani, Snare drum, Tenor drum, Bass drum, Cymbals, Tam-tam, Triangle, Wood block, Tambourine, Glockenspiel, Xylophone, Vibraphone, Tubular bells, Marimba, Drum kit

Guitar

Jazz Guitar
Electronic Guitar 
Electronic Bass

Scholarly and Outreach

Arts Leadership 
Musicology 
Performance Arts 
Musical Theaters

Contemporary Music

Jazz Studies

Include: pop/rock, folk-rock, R&B/Urban, country, Latin/Salsa and other popular styles

Music Industry 
Synthesizer

Application

Download Form

Submit Apply