How to get a Certified Nurse Aide (C.N.A.) license in New Mexico
New Mexico licenses nursing assistants statewide through the New Mexico Nurse Aide Registry.1 For the Certified Nurse Aide (C.N.A.), listed on the New Mexico Health Care Authority nurse aide registry license you need at least 75 clock hours2 of education, a passing score on the New Mexico CNA Competency Exam (State competency evaluation): knowledge test and clinical skills test3 and a criminal background check3. You renew every 2 years3 and complete at least 24 hours of continuing education3.
Who issues it
New Mexico Nurse Aide Registry
Training and experience
Training: at least 75 clock hours2
Exam
New Mexico CNA Competency Exam (State competency evaluation): knowledge test and clinical skills test3
On this page
- New Mexico nursing assistant licenses
- Applies to every license level
- Who needs a Certified Nurse Aide (C.N.A.) license
- Requirements for a Certified Nurse Aide (C.N.A.) license
- How much a Certified Nurse Aide (C.N.A.) license costs
- How to apply
- Renewal and continuing education
- Moving to New Mexico with a license from another state
- Certified Medication Aide I (CMA-I)
- Certified Medication Aide-Residential
- City and county rules
- Check a license or report a problem
- Laws and rules
- Rule changes since January 2024
- Common questions
- Certified nursing assistant (CNA) licenses in other states
New Mexico nursing assistant licenses
New Mexico issues 3 nursing assistant credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.
| License | What it covers | Training or experience | Exam | Application or license fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Medication Aide I (CMA-I) | Administers medications under the supervision/direction of a licensed nurse, only in board-approved agencies, by oral, sublingual, buccal, gastric tube, transdermal, topical, eye, ear, nasal, vaginal, rectal, premixed nebulizer or metered-dose inhaler routes. No intramuscular, intravenous, subcutaneous or nasogastric routes; may not take medication orders or change doses.4 | Training 60 clock hours4 Experience 6 months4 | Yes4 | $454 |
| Certified Medication Aide-Residential (CMA-R; replaced CMA II on 8/1/2026) | Administers medications under the supervision/direction of a licensed nurse, only in board-approved agencies, by oral, sublingual, buccal, gastric tube, jejunostomy tube, transdermal, topical, eye, ear, nasal, vaginal, rectal, insulin pen, nebulizer or metered-dose inhaler routes, and performs point-of-care blood glucose checks. No intramuscular, intravenous or nasogastric routes, and no subcutaneous injections other than insulin pen; may not take medication orders or change doses. May also work in CMA-I settings.4 | Training 60 clock hours4 | Yes4 | $454 |
| Certified Nurse Aide (C.N.A.), listed on the New Mexico Health Care Authority nurse aide registry | Nursing or nursing-related services to residents of Medicare/Medicaid skilled nursing facilities and nursing facilities, by someone who is not a licensed health professional, registered dietitian or unpaid volunteer.1 | Training 75 clock hours2 | Yes3 | – |
Applies to every license level
These rules are the same for several of the New Mexico nursing assistant licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.
1. Every license level (all 3)
Renewal
2. Every license level except Certified Nurse Aide (C.N.A.), listed on the New Mexico Health Care Authority nurse aide registry
Requirements
- Minimum age
- 18 years old4
- High school diploma or GED
- High school diploma, high school equivalency (e.g. GED or HiSET) or a home school program compliant with NM PED rules; non-US education translated by a board-recognized agency.4
- Exam
- New Mexico Board of Nursing medication aide certification examination4
When you can take it: After the board approves your application it notifies you; you then follow the testing service instructions to schedule.4
Retakes: Up to three attempts (re-examination application and fee each time); after a third failure, repeat the theory and clinical parts of an approved program.4 - Background check
- Fraudulent or misrepresented application information can lead to denial; the board may discipline certificate holders (16.12.5.11 NMAC).4
- Also required
- Current CPR certification.4
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $454 | NMBON | Not refundable |
| Exam retake fee | $304 | NMBON | Not refundable |
| Application fee | $04 | NMBON | Military personnel, spouses, dependents and veterans |
Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.
The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee.
How to apply
- Meet the general prerequisites (18+, high school/equivalency, CPR) and the entry requirement for this category, and complete a board-approved medication aide program.5
- Submit the application for this category with the fee; your program sends completion verification on letterhead.4
- Results are reported in the online portal; you are certified only when the board notifies you. Certification can be verified on the board website.4
Renewal
- When it expires
- Renew by the end of your certificate's expiration month; notices may be emailed at least six weeks before, but failing to get one is no excuse.4
- Renewal fee
- $454
- Continuing education
- At least 16 hours each renewal period4
- Approved courses
- The employing agency must offer CE opportunities; CE records are subject to board audit.4
From another state
- Route
- License by endorsement
- What the board says
- Medication aides certified or practicing in another state apply by endorsement: the board reviews your training against New Mexico requirements (you may need a refresher or the full course) and you must pass the New Mexico exam, applying to test within six months.5
- Conditions
- 18+, high school/equivalency or compliant home school, current CPR.4
- Fee
- $454
Military service members, veterans and spouses: No board fee for the initial certificate or first renewal for military personnel, spouses, dependents and veterans.4
Who needs a Certified Nurse Aide (C.N.A.) license
Nursing or nursing-related services to residents of Medicare/Medicaid skilled nursing facilities and nursing facilities, by someone who is not a licensed health professional, registered dietitian or unpaid volunteer.1
Other rules on who may do this work:
- A nursing facility may employ someone as a nurse aide for up to four months before they complete an approved training and competency evaluation program (NATCEP); temporary (agency) aides must already have completed a NATCEP or competency evaluation.2
Requirements for a Certified Nurse Aide (C.N.A.) license
More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 under Applies to every license level.
- Education or training
- At least 75 clock hours2
Complete a state-approved nurse aide training and competency evaluation program (NATCEP) of at least 75 hours, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training (federal minimum).2
Who may teach it: The program must be approved by the Health Care Authority and the state survey agency; students in training work only under the general supervision of licensed or registered nurses.2
Alternative: Competency evaluation program (CEP) only: the registry also lists people who passed a CEP without a NATCEP, or whose NATCEP/CEP requirement was waived by New Mexico.2
Alternative: Training waivers (apply on TMU, then test within six months of eligibility): nursing students in a Board of Nursing-approved program who finished the basic coursework and first clinicals within the past 24 months; LPN/RN graduates of a New Mexico-approved program within the past 24 months; foreign-trained LPN/RN graduates with a valid license in good standing; military-trained candidates with nurse aide-related training within the past 24 months.6 - Exam
- New Mexico CNA Competency Exam (State competency evaluation): knowledge test and clinical skills test3
When you can take it: After completing a State-approved training program; your instructor creates your TMU account so you can pay for and schedule the exam.3
Knowledge test: written or oral, multiple choice, offered in English and Spanish3
Clinical skills test: perform selected CNA tasks in front of an evaluator3
Retakes: If you fail one part, you retake only that part, paying the test fee again. The number of attempts allowed is not stated on HCA pages.3
Exam waived: Aides who qualified by reciprocity from another state are listed without the New Mexico program.1 - Background check
- Background check required3
Fingerprints required7
Disqualifying convictions bar employment as a caregiver, with administrative reconsideration available; substantiated abuse, neglect or exploitation findings against a nurse aide are reported to the registry after a hearing opportunity.1 - Social Security number
- Reciprocity applicants must upload an image of their Social Security card (or a Social Security Administration letter showing name and SSN); TMU applications ask for an SSN.8
How much a Certified Nurse Aide (C.N.A.) license costs
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam fee | $1003 | Headmaster LLP (D&SDT-Headmaster) | Clinical skills test |
| Exam fee | $403 | Headmaster LLP (D&SDT-Headmaster) | Knowledge test, written |
| Exam fee | $453 | Headmaster LLP (D&SDT-Headmaster) | Knowledge test, oral |
| TEST REVIEW REQUEST AND PAYMENT FORM | $259 | Headmaster LLP (D&SDT-Headmaster) | Test review request. Not refundable |
Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.
How to apply
- Complete a New Mexico Health Care Authority-approved CNA training program (at least 75 hours, including at least 16 hours of supervised clinical training in a nursing facility), or qualify for a training waiver.3
- Your instructor adds you to TMU; pay for and schedule the Headmaster knowledge test ($40 written or $45 oral) and clinical skills test ($100). The State pays if a Medicaid-certified nursing facility employs you or has offered you a job.3 nm.tmutest.com3
- Pass both tests; TMU then places you on the New Mexico Nurse Aide Registry with your certification number and issue and expiration dates.3
- When hired by a nursing facility or other covered care provider, complete the caregiver fingerprint-based criminal history screening through your employer.7
- Apply online
- nm.tmutest.com3
- Temporary or provisional license
- No temporary certificate found; a nursing facility may use a trainee as a nurse aide for up to four months.2
Renewal and continuing education
- When it expires
- Renew every two years in your TMU profile, from 30 days before to 30 days after the expiration date: show at least 8 paid hours of CNA work in the past 24 months (your employer verifies it in TMU) and 12 hours of in-service/continuing education each year. Separately, 8.312.2 NMAC requires a new NATCEP or competency evaluation after 24 consecutive months without paid nursing or nursing-related services.3
- Renewal fee
- $253
- Continuing education
- At least 24 hours each renewal period3
- Approved courses
- In-service or continuing education training counts; nursing facilities must provide regular in-service education to their nurse aides.3
- If it expires
- After 24 consecutive months without paid nurse aide work: new NATCEP or new competency evaluation.2
Past the 30-day grace period after expiration: retake the state competency exam to renew.3
Lapsed more than 24 months but working in a nursing-related field for at least 24 months: apply for Reactivation by Exam on TMU with an employer letter and test within six months. If you have not worked in a nursing-related field in the past 24 months, complete a state-approved training program and pass the exam.10 - Renew online
- nm.tmutest.com3
Renewal planner
Enter the expiration date printed on your New Mexico Certified Nurse Aide (C.N.A.), listed on the New Mexico Health Care Authority nurse aide registry license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.
Moving to New Mexico with a license from another state
These are the routes the New Mexico Nurse Aide Registry publishes for the Certified Nurse Aide (C.N.A.) license.
- Route
- License by endorsement
- What the board says
- Reciprocity (dual certification), no fee: be current and in good standing on another state's nurse aide registry and apply online with the TMU Reciprocity Form, attaching a government photo ID, your Social Security card and your current out-of-state certification. If you trained in Alabama, Illinois or Nebraska within the last 24 months, also show at least 8 hours of nurse aide work under an RN/LPN in the previous two years. Each state's certification must then be kept up separately.3
- Conditions
- Attach an image of a valid U.S. government-issued photo ID showing your date of birth.8
Attach an image of your Social Security card (or an SSA letter with your name and SSN).8 - Form
- nm.tmutest.com9
Military service members, veterans and spouses: Military Training Waiver: candidates who got nurse aide-related skills and training in military service within the past 24 months can skip the training requirement by applying on TMU (with military documents), then must test within six months.11
Certified Medication Aide I (CMA-I)
Administers medications under the supervision/direction of a licensed nurse, only in board-approved agencies, by oral, sublingual, buccal, gastric tube, transdermal, topical, eye, ear, nasal, vaginal, rectal, premixed nebulizer or metered-dose inhaler routes. No intramuscular, intravenous, subcutaneous or nasogastric routes; may not take medication orders or change doses.4
Requirements
- Education or training
- At least 60 clock hours4
Board-approved medication aide program: at least 60 classroom hours (40 medication administration + 20 population-specific care) and at least 20 hours of supervised clinical experience.4
Who may teach it: Board-approved medication aide program, completed within the last 12 months; the program's nurse educator verifies completion on letterhead.4 - Experience
- At least 6 months4
At least six months of healthcare work experience within the last two years (attested by the approved CMA program).4 - Other requirements and options
- CMA-Is working in long-term care/nursing facility settings as of 7/31/2026 must upskill to CMA-R (8 hours didactic and 20 supervised insulin injections) to keep working there.5
Renewal
- Required topics
- Topics related to medications and medication administration; no duplicate topics in one renewal period.4
Work requirement: evidence of work as a CMA in a board-approved facility during the two-year renewal period (program attestation on letterhead and a pay stub showing the CMA job title).4 - If it expires
- Lapsed under 6 months: reactivation application, fee, CE and work hours.4
Lapsed 6 months to 2 years: complete a refresher course (12 classroom + 12 supervised clinical hours), which also satisfies CE and work requirements.4
Lapsed over 2 years: repeat the initial training program and pass the exam.4
More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Applies to every license level.
Certified Medication Aide-Residential
Administers medications under the supervision/direction of a licensed nurse, only in board-approved agencies, by oral, sublingual, buccal, gastric tube, jejunostomy tube, transdermal, topical, eye, ear, nasal, vaginal, rectal, insulin pen, nebulizer or metered-dose inhaler routes, and performs point-of-care blood glucose checks. No intramuscular, intravenous or nasogastric routes, and no subcutaneous injections other than insulin pen; may not take medication orders or change doses. May also work in CMA-I settings.4
Requirements
- Education or training
- At least 60 clock hours4
Board-approved medication aide program (at least 60 classroom hours and 20 supervised clinical hours) plus the CMA-R curriculum: at least 16 additional classroom hours and at least 20 supervised insulin injections.4
Who may teach it: Board-approved medication aide program, completed within the last 12 months; the program's nurse educator verifies completion on letterhead.4
Alternative: Nursing students who have completed a nursing pharmacology course plus a nursing fundamentals/concepts course or a CNA course can be certified as a residential medication aide after a 4-hour role class and the board exam.4 - Experience
- Must hold, or have held, a certified nursing assistant (CNA) certificate from an approved nurse aide training and competency evaluation program, verified by the New Mexico Health Care Authority CNA Registry; it can be inactive, and an active CNA is not needed to renew.4
Renewal
- Required topics
- Topics related to medications and medication administration; no duplicate topics in one renewal period. CMA-Rs need 2 of the 16 hours on insulin or insulin pen administration.4
Work requirement: evidence of work as a CMA in a board-approved facility during the two-year renewal period (program attestation on letterhead and a pay stub showing the CMA job title).4 - If it expires
- Lapsed under 6 months: reactivation application, fee, CE and work hours.4
Lapsed 6 months to 2 years: complete a refresher course (12 classroom + 12 supervised clinical hours; CMA-R adds 4 hours insulin theory and 20 supervised insulin injections), which also satisfies CE and work requirements.4
Lapsed over 2 years: repeat the initial training program and pass the exam.4
More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Applies to every license level.
City and county rules
Certified Medication Aide I (CMA-I)No local license: medication aide certification is statewide (New Mexico Board of Nursing).4
Certified Nurse Aide (C.N.A.), listed on the New Mexico Health Care Authority nurse aide registryNo local license: nurse aide certification is a statewide Health Care Authority registry.1
Check a license or report a problem
Before you hire a nursing assistant in New Mexico, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in New Mexico is on the New Mexico license lookup page.
- Look up a license
- nm.tmutest.com3
- Look up a license
- nmbn.boardsofnursing.org12
- File a complaint
- nmbn.boardsofnursing.org12
Laws and rules
The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.
- 8.312.2.21 NMAC (nursing facilities: nurse aide training and registry)
- 8.370.25 NMAC (hearing requirements for certified nurse aides)
- 8.370.5 NMAC (Caregivers Criminal History Screening requirements; NMSA 1978 29-17-2 to 29-17-5)
- 42 CFR 483.150-483.158 (nurse aide training, competency evaluation and registry)
- 16.12.5 NMAC Medication Aides (effective 7/31/2026, Board of Nursing final text)
- NMSA 1978 61-3-10.2 (medication aide certification program, Nursing Practice Act), as cited in 16.12.5.3 NMAC
Rule changes since January 2024
- July 31, 2026: New 16.12.5 NMAC: CMA II retired and replaced by CMA-Residential (CMA-R, requires a CNA certificate); CMA-I limited to intermediate care, assisted living and IDD settings; new CMA-Outpatient for certified medical assistants; exam attempts raised to three; lapse window for refresher extended to two years.5
- July 1, 2024: Nurse aide registry oversight moved to the New Mexico Health Care Authority; 8.370.25 NMAC (hearings for certified nurse aides) replaced the former Department of Health rule.1
Common questions
How long does it take to get a Certified Nurse Aide (C.N.A.) license in New Mexico?
The rules set at least 75 clock hours2 before you can be licensed. The board does not publish how long it takes to process an application.
Can I transfer my nursing assistant license to New Mexico?
The New Mexico Nurse Aide Registry publishes this route for the Certified Nurse Aide (C.N.A.) license: license by endorsement3. Conditions and forms.
Certified nursing assistant (CNA) licenses in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- 8.370.25 NMAC Hearing Requirements for Certified Nurse AidesNew Mexico State Records Center and ArchivesDated July 1, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
- 8.312.2 NMAC Nursing FacilitiesNew Mexico State Records Center and ArchivesDated March 1, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Certified Nurse Aide Registry (NM Health Care Authority)New Mexico Health Care Authority, Division of Health ImprovementChecked November 7, 2026
- 16.12.5 NMAC Medication Aides (eff. 7.31.2026)New Mexico Board of NursingDated July 31, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- CMA I & II - New Mexico Board of NursingNew Mexico Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
- Nursing Student Waiver | NM TMUNew Mexico Nurse Aide Registry (TMU system, D&SDT-Headmaster for NM HCA)Checked November 7, 2026
- 8.370.5 NMAC Caregivers Criminal History Screening RequirementsNew Mexico State Records Center and ArchivesDated July 1, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
- Reciprocity Form | NM TMUNew Mexico Nurse Aide Registry (TMU system, D&SDT-Headmaster for NM HCA)Checked November 7, 2026
- Account Applications Apply | NM TMUNew Mexico Nurse Aide Registry (TMU system, D&SDT-Headmaster for NM HCA)Checked November 7, 2026
- Reactivation by Exam (lapsed more than 24 months) | NM TMUNew Mexico Nurse Aide Registry (TMU system, D&SDT-Headmaster for NM HCA)Checked November 7, 2026
- Military Training Waiver | NM TMUNew Mexico Nurse Aide Registry (TMU system, D&SDT-Headmaster for NM HCA)Checked November 7, 2026
- New Mexico Board of Nursing | Official WebsiteNew Mexico Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026