New Mexico Nursing License Requirements
The New Mexico Board of Nursing licenses RNs and LPNs in the state. First-time applicants must complete a board-approved nursing program and pass the NCLEX. New Mexico is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, meaning nurses with a multistate license from another compact state can practice in New Mexico without applying for a separate license.
Sponsored School(s)
The New Mexico Board of Nursing (NMBON) manages RN and LPN licensure for the state. Whether you’re a new graduate applying by examination or a nurse from another state seeking endorsement, the process is handled by the Board. New Mexico’s compact membership is worth understanding before you apply: if your primary residence is already in another compact state, you may not need to file a New Mexico application at all.
The New Mexico Center for Nursing Excellence offers scholarships for nursing students, as well as general scholarships and awards for home health and hospice workers pursuing higher education. The New Mexico Nurses Association (NMNA), an American Nurses Association affiliate, accepts both RNs and LPNs and is a resource for professional development and continuing education.
Use the links below to jump to LPN requirements, RN requirements, endorsement information, and licensing rules for international nurses.
- How to apply for an LPN license in New Mexico
- How to transfer an LPN license to New Mexico
- How to apply for an RN license in New Mexico
- How to transfer an RN license to New Mexico
- Requirements for international nurses
- Frequently asked questions
What Type of License Are You Seeking?
- I am looking for Certified Nurse Aide Requirements in New Mexico.
- I am looking for Practical Nursing license requirements in New Mexico.
- I am looking for Registered Nursing requirements in New Mexico.
- I am looking for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) license requirements in New Mexico.
Candidates who already hold a license from another jurisdiction apply by endorsement. Those applying for the first time apply by examination, and the NMBON must authorize them to sit for the NCLEX before they can schedule the exam. The Board publishes NCLEX pass rates by program on its website.
New Mexico LPN Requirements
LPN Education
Candidates must complete a board-approved practical nursing program. New Mexico offers career ladder programs that allow a student to complete LPN coursework and sit for the NCLEX-PN after one year, then continue into an associate degree program during the second year. A current list of approved programs is available on the NMBON website.
Read Choosing an LPN Program in New Mexico for guidance on program types and what to look for when comparing your options. For a broader look at the LPN career path in the state, see Becoming an LPN in New Mexico.
LPN Application Process
A criminal background check is required before submitting an application. The NMBON currently processes fingerprinting through IdentoGO (IDEMIA). Confirm current fingerprinting instructions on the NMBON website before starting your application, as the process has changed from the older card-based submission.
Graduates who submit their applications within 12 weeks of completing the program may be authorized to work under a graduate permit while they wait to take the test. The prospective employer, not the candidate, requests the permit from the Board. The permit may be issued while background check results are still pending and is valid for up to six months. Once exam results come in, the Board will either issue a permanent license or revoke the work authorization.
Candidates register for the NCLEX-PN through Pearson VUE. The exam fee is $200. After paying the fee, candidates wait for an Authorization to Test (ATT) before scheduling. Providing Pearson with an email address speeds up ATT delivery. The candidate then schedules the computer-adaptive exam within the ATT eligibility window.
A failed attempt requires a re-examination application to the NMBON, which carries a $60 fee. Candidates may attempt the NCLEX-PN up to five times within three years, subject to Board requirements. Verify current retake rules with the NMBON before reapplying.
LPN License by Endorsement
Endorsement candidates must provide license verification from the state where they were originally licensed. In most cases, the Board requires proof of graduation from an approved program. LPNs who were originally licensed before July 1, 1969, are not subject to current educational requirements. Military personnel who passed a national licensing exam before July 1, 1977, and were subsequently licensed as LPNs may also be eligible.
Canadian nurses are eligible for endorsement if they have taken the NCLEX and been licensed in a U.S. state. Fingerprinting must be completed before applying through IdentoGO (IDEMIA) per current NMBON instructions. Confirm the current process on the NMBON website before submitting.
The endorsement application fee is $150. A temporary permit is available for an additional $60 for candidates who need to work while materials are being processed. Fees are subject to change. Verify current amounts on the NMBON website before applying.
New Mexico RN Requirements
RN Education Requirements
RN candidates must complete a board-approved nursing program. The NMBON publishes a list of approved in-state programs on its website. Out-of-state program graduates will have their transcripts reviewed to confirm eligibility.
For more on program types and how to compare options, see Choosing an RN Program in New Mexico. For a broader look at the RN career path in the state, see Becoming an RN in New Mexico.
RN License Application
Once educational requirements are met, candidates apply to the NMBON. A New Mexico program may submit a certificate of eligibility to the Board on the graduate’s behalf. Final transcripts from U.S. programs are acceptable for determining exam eligibility. Graduates of international programs go through an evaluation process before applying.
Candidates who apply within 12 weeks of graduation may be issued a graduate nurse permit if a New Mexico facility wants to hire them. The permit is issued to the employer, not directly to the candidate. Processing takes three weeks or longer. One of the application forms requires a notary’s signature, so starting the process early matters.
The application fee is $150. Background check fingerprinting is processed through IdentoGO (IDEMIA). Confirm current instructions and fees on the NMBON website. The NCLEX-RN fee through Pearson VUE is $200. These go to separate organizations and can’t be paid together. Candidates register for the NCLEX-RN through the Pearson VUE website or by phone. After registration, candidates wait for an ATT and then schedule their exam. The NMBON issues a license after receiving confirmation of a passing result. Fees are subject to change. Verify current amounts before applying.
New graduates hired by facilities with fewer than 200 beds may be eligible for the New Mexico Rural Nurse Residency, a support program for novice RNs entering smaller facilities.
RN License by Endorsement
RNs who passed the NCLEX-RN in another state may apply for a New Mexico license by endorsement. Official license verification is required. The Board notes that verification may be requested before the licensing application is submitted.
New Mexico is a Nurse Licensure Compact state. If you already hold a multistate license issued by another compact state and your primary residence is there, you’re authorized to work in New Mexico without a separate license. Nurses transferring their primary residence to New Mexico need to apply for a New Mexico license.
The endorsement fee is $150. A temporary license is available for an additional $60 if needed. Background check fingerprinting is processed separately through IdentoGO (IDEMIA). Any criminal or disciplinary history must be disclosed on the application. A temporary license can be issued before the background check clears, but information that surfaces later may result in action against the license. Fees are subject to change. Verify current amounts on the NMBON website before applying.
International Nurses
International nurses are eligible for licensure in New Mexico if their education is determined to be equivalent to U.S. standards. The NMBON currently approves three educational evaluation services: Educational Records Evaluation Service (ERES), Josef Silny and Associates Inc., and the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). Confirm the current approved list on the NMBON website before selecting a service, as this list is subject to change.
Nurses who completed their nursing education in a language other than English, or who did not pass an English-language licensing exam, must demonstrate English proficiency. Accepted exams are the IELTS, the TOEFL, and the TOEIC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does New Mexico participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Yes. New Mexico is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state. If you hold a multistate license issued by another compact state and your primary residence is in that state, you can work in New Mexico without applying for a separate license. If you’re relocating to New Mexico permanently, you’ll need to apply for a New Mexico license.
How do I get a graduate nurse permit in New Mexico?
A graduate permit is available to RN and LPN candidates who submit their licensing application within 12 weeks of program completion. The prospective employer requests the permit from the NMBON. It allows the graduate to work while the permanent application is processed and is valid for up to six months.
What is the NCLEX fee in New Mexico?
The NCLEX registration fee through Pearson VUE is $200 for both the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN. This goes directly to Pearson and is separate from the NMBON application fee. Verify current fees on the Pearson VUE website before registering, as exam fees are subject to change.
Can Canadian nurses get licensed in New Mexico?
Yes, through endorsement. Canadian nurses must first take the NCLEX and obtain a license in a U.S. state. Once they hold a valid U.S. license, they can apply for endorsement in New Mexico. Fingerprinting is completed through IdentoGO (IDEMIA) per current NMBON instructions.
How long does it take to get a New Mexico nursing license?
Processing times vary. A graduate permit alone can take three weeks or longer to issue, and background check results may add time. Starting early, providing Pearson with an email address for faster ATT delivery, and submitting a complete application packet all help reduce delays.
Key Takeaways
- All first-time applicants must complete a board-approved program and pass the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN before the NMBON issues a permanent license.
- New Mexico is a Nurse Licensure Compact state. Nurses with a multistate license who live in another compact state can practice in New Mexico without a separate application.
- Graduate permits are available to candidates who apply within 12 weeks of graduation and allow them to work while their permanent license is processed for up to 6 months.
- Endorsement and examination fees are separate. The NMBON application fee ($150), background check fingerprinting through IdentoGO, and Pearson NCLEX registration fee each go to different organizations and can’t be combined.
- International nurses must have credentials evaluated by an NMBON-approved evaluation service and may need to pass an English proficiency exam before applying.
Select your state below to find approved nursing programs, application links, and licensing requirements for your jurisdiction.