Certified Nurse Aide Requirements in New Mexico
New Mexico CNAs are certified by the New Mexico Health Care Authority. You’ll complete a state-approved training program of at least 75 hours, pass a two-part competency exam administered by Headmaster LLP, and be placed on the New Mexico Nurse Aide Registry. All applications and scheduling are handled online through the TMU system at nm.tmutest.com.
Sponsored School(s)
The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) oversees CNA certification in the state. CNAs are credentialed on the basis of approved training and a competency evaluation. To stay active on the registry, you’ll need to work in the field and meet renewal requirements every two years. As of July 2024, all registry functions, including scheduling, applications, and renewals, are handled online through the TMU system at nm.tmutest.com.
Use the links below to jump to training requirements, exam details, the application process, renewal, and reciprocity information.
- Training and Exam Eligibility
- The CNA Competency Exam
- How to Apply for CNA Certification
- Renewing Your CNA Certification
- Reciprocity for Out-of-State CNAs
- CNAs with Lapsed Certification
Training and Exam Eligibility
The most direct path to certification is completing a state-approved CNA training program. New Mexico programs must include at least 75 hours of instruction covering classroom, lab work, and supervised clinical training. At least 16 of those hours must take place in a nursing facility. This meets the federal minimum set by CMS. Programs approved by the New Mexico Health Care Authority range from 75 to 185 hours, depending on the school.
Before starting a training program, candidates typically need to pass a criminal background check through the Caregivers Criminal History Screening Program (CCHSP). Checks include screening against the Employee Abuse Registry and Office of Inspector General records. Most programs also require candidates to be at least 16 years old, though age minimums vary by school.
There are several alternative routes to exam eligibility. Candidates who completed nurse aide-related military training within the previous 24 months can qualify. New Mexico also accepts basic nursing coursework and clinical hours completed as part of an RN or LPN program, provided that training occurred within the prior 24 months. Nursing graduates who completed New Mexico programs but are not yet licensed are eligible, as are out-of-state and international nurses and CNAs. Candidates coming in through alternative routes must complete their testing within six months of receiving HCA approval.
The CNA Competency Exam
The New Mexico CNA Competency Exam is administered by Headmaster LLP through the TMU system. It has two components: a knowledge test and a clinical skills evaluation. You must pass both to be placed on the registry.
The knowledge test is available as a written or oral exam. The written test is offered in English only. The oral test is available in English and Spanish and must be requested at the time of scheduling. New Mexico allows up to three attempts per section within two years of completing training. If you pass one component but fail the other, you only need to retake the section you did not pass.
The skills evaluation requires you to perform a set of nursing tasks in front of an evaluator, typically ranging from three to five skills drawn from a list that includes hand hygiene, patient positioning, personal care, and vital signs measurement. The specific tasks are selected on the test day. Current skill requirements and a full task list are in the Headmaster candidate handbook at hdmaster.com.
Exam fees are paid separately for each component through the TMU system and are subject to New Mexico Gross Receipts Tax. Fees are updated periodically, so confirm current amounts at nm.tmutest.com before scheduling. If you are employed or have been offered employment at a Medicaid-certified nursing facility, the state may cover your testing fees. Your employer must verify your employment status in TMU before the exam.
How to Apply for CNA Certification
All applications for the New Mexico CNA exam are submitted online through the TMU system at nm.tmutest.com. Applications by mail, fax, or email are no longer accepted.
If you completed a state-approved training program, your instructor will create your account in TMU. Once the account is set up, you can log in, pay your exam fees, and schedule a test date. There is no separate certification application to file. Candidates who pass both exam components are placed on the New Mexico Nurse Aide Registry automatically. Employers can verify registry status online at nm.tmutest.com.
Candidates applying through alternative eligibility routes, including military training, nursing student status, graduate nurse status, and foreign-trained nurses, must submit a waiver application through the TMU system before scheduling. Each waiver type has its own form, all available at nm.tmutest.com/apply. Once the HCA approves the waiver, candidates have six months to complete testing.
Renewing Your CNA Certification
New Mexico CNA certification is valid for two years. To renew, you must show at least eight hours of paid CNA work within the past 24 months and complete 12 hours of in-service or continuing education per year, for a total of 24 CE hours per renewal cycle.
Renewal requests are submitted through your profile at nm.tmutest.com. You can submit a request starting 30 days before your certification expires or up to 30 days after. The renewal fee is $25. Once your employer confirms your employment status in TMU, your certification will be reinstated automatically for another two years.
If you go past the 30-day grace period without renewing, you’ll need to retake the full state competency exam. That means scheduling through TMU and paying the standard exam fees again. Don’t wait until your expiration date to start the process.
Reciprocity for Out-of-State CNAs
Out-of-state CNAs can apply for New Mexico certification through reciprocity. There is no fee for New Mexico reciprocity. You’ll need to complete the Reciprocity Form Application at nm.tmutest.com/apply and provide a government-issued photo ID, your Social Security card, and your current out-of-state CNA certification.
Reciprocity grants dual certification. Both state certifications are independent, and it’s your responsibility to keep each current. If you’re transferring your New Mexico certification to another state, that state will typically provide a verification form. Fill out your section and send it to the HCA at [email protected]. The New Mexico CNA Coordinator will verify your credentials and return the form to the requesting state. Plan for a two- to three-week turnaround.
CNAs with Lapsed Certification
If your New Mexico CNA certification lapsed more than 30 days ago, you’ll need to retake the state competency exam to recertify. Candidates who have been inactive for fewer than 24 months can submit an exam application through TMU and return to testing without completing additional training, though HCA may still require documentation of your lapse period.
CNAs who have been inactive for more than 24 months must submit a Reactivation by Exam Waiver application at nm.tmutest.com/apply. The HCA reviews the application and, if approved, authorizes the candidate to schedule the exam. Testing must be completed within six months of approval.
For questions about your specific situation, contact the HCA Nurse Aide Registry at [email protected] or Headmaster at [email protected] or 888-401-0462. The registry is searchable online at nm.tmutest.com.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
CNAs looking to advance their credentials can explore CNA to RN bridge programs available in New Mexico and other states.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who oversees CNA certification in New Mexico?
The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) oversees the Certified Nurse Aide Registry. As of July 2024, the registry moved from the Department of Health to the HCA. Headmaster LLP administers the competency exam and supports the registry through the TMU system at nm.tmutest.com.
How long does a New Mexico CNA training program take?
Most programs take four to eight weeks to complete, depending on whether you enroll full-time or part-time. All programs must include at least 75 hours of instruction, with at least 16 of those hours as supervised clinical training in a nursing facility.
What happens if I fail part of the CNA exam?
You can retake each section individually. If you pass the skills evaluation but fail the knowledge test, you only need to retake the knowledge test, and vice versa. You have up to three attempts per section within two years of completing your training program. Each retake requires a separate fee, paid through the TMU portal.
How do I renew my New Mexico CNA certification?
Log in to your TMU profile at nm.tmutest.com to submit a renewal request. You’ll need to show at least eight hours of paid CNA work over the past two years and have completed 24 hours of continuing education. The renewal fee is $25. Renewals can be submitted starting 30 days before your certification expires.
Is there a fee for CNA reciprocity in New Mexico?
No. Reciprocity in New Mexico is free. Submit a Reciprocity Form Application through the TMU system and provide a government-issued photo ID, your Social Security card, and your current out-of-state CNA certification.
- HCA now oversees CNA certification — As of July 2024, the New Mexico Health Care Authority replaced the Department of Health as the governing body, and Headmaster LLP replaced Prometric as the exam vendor.
- 75 hours of training required — State-approved programs must include at least 75 hours of classroom, lab, and supervised clinical instruction before you can sit for the exam.
- Two-part exam through Headmaster — You must pass both a knowledge test and a clinical skills evaluation to be placed on the registry. All scheduling is online through nm.tmutest.com.
- Renew every two years — You need at least eight hours of paid CNA work and 24 hours of continuing education per cycle to renew, with a $25 renewal fee.
- Reciprocity is free — Out-of-state CNAs can transfer credentials to New Mexico at no cost through an online application on the TMU system.
Looking for a state-approved CNA program in New Mexico? Search accredited training programs by location to find options that fit your schedule.