New Mexico Nurse Practitioner Licensure Steps - 2023

Nurse Practitioner Licensure Requirements in New Mexico

Follow below to learn how to become a certified nurse practitioner (CNP) in New Mexico.

Initial RN License

Already have your RN License?  Skip to the next section

There are two ways you can get RN licensure to practice in New Mexico. It is either by examination or by endorsement. They both require an online application which is done with a fee and submission of other required documents.

RN by Examination

• This route of registration is for graduates of board-approved nursing programs from approved institutions.
• The New Mexico Board of Nursing can grant RN licensure after the completion of an approved program which can be either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Both types of degrees will prepare you for the licensure examinations called NCLEX-RN.
• Upon successfully passing the exams, you can practice safely under the registered nursing scope of practice. For domestic educated nurses, you need to have your official transcripts sent to the New Mexico board of nursing as online, Parchment, or E-script safe. The transcript must include the date of graduation and the kind of degree obtained.
• A criminal background check will be done as proof of lawful presence.
• Fill out and submit your application form and pay a non-refundable fee of $150 and register to write the exams at Pearson VUE. In a case where it is more than 6 months and you are yet to take the exams, your application becomes null and void and you are eligible for re-examinations. If your application has not expired but got a notification that you did not pass the examinations. You will automatically be considered eligible for re-examination for $60.
• As an internationally educated nurse, In addition to all that is mentioned above, you will need to have your official transcripts evaluated and submitted. Proof of English proficiency by providing proof of being taught in the English language or taking an English proficiency examination.

RN by Endorsement

• This is the preferred route of application for holders of a valid single state license in another state or jurisdiction in the US, particularly a state that is not a party to the NLC.  Endorsement candidates must provide license verification from the state where they were first licensed. In most cases, endorsement candidates must show that they graduated from an approved program.
• Licensure by endorsement will cost you $150. You will need to submit an online RN endorsement application
• You will be required to verify your licensure through the Nursys platform or by paper verification
• A criminal background check is proof of lawful presence.

It is important to note that all applicants are expected to give correct information and valid documents as well as evidence to support the information provided.  The discovery of any form of falsehood in an application might lead to the revocation of a license if discovered in the future

Advanced Education Requirements

New Mexico expects all APRN licensure candidates to have at least a Master’s of Science in Nursing degree (MSN) in addition to the initial training as an RN.

This should be done at a regionally accredited school. This will equip you to be able to provide acute, chronic, and long-term or end of life nursing care. It is expected that you have adequate knowledge of Pharmacology and preventive therapy. They should also prepare you to pass certification-based exams for your chosen specialty area and population foci.

National Certification

At the end of the advanced education, the next step is getting a national certification which evaluates your education because this is what allows you to apply for a license. There are various national certifications such as pediatric (primary and acute care), family, gerontology (primary and acute), psychiatric-mental health, women‘s health, neonatal. You are to contact the certification agency specific to your chosen specialty area and population foci for the requirements for their certification. A list of some recognized certification agencies in New Mexico for NPs is below.

• American Nurses Credentialing Centre (ANCC)
• National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP)
• National Certification Corporation (NCC)

Getting a License to Practice as a Nurse Practitioner in New Mexico

NMBON receives and processes all complete applications all year long. To earn your APRN license, you must write and pass your National certification examination which is consistent in your area of study recognized by the board. Below is a checklist of the requirements for your initial application.

• An official transcript of the educational program is sent directly from the program or the university to the Board. This transcript should include your date of graduation and the degree awarded.
• A copy of the RN license or National certification card from the National Board of Certification.
• The APRN initial application is done online or by paper and mailed to the board with a non-refundable fee of 100 USD
• Completed Verification of APRN education must be sent by the educational program.
• A graduate permit may be requested.