New Mexico Board of Nursing License Renewal: 3 Steps

Professional woman smiling while outdoors
Written by Marie Hasty, BSN, RN Content Writer, IntelyCare
A nurse prepares for her New Mexico Board of Nursing license renewal.

With expansive deserts, grand mountains, and lively cities, it’s no wonder New Mexico is called the Land of Enchantment. The state’s Native American culture and rugged outdoors make it a unique home for over 2 million people. Whether you work in the heart of Santa Fe, amid the buzz of Albuquerque, or elsewhere in the state, your work as a nurse keeps New Mexico healthy.

To continue practicing in NM, you’ll need to keep your nursing license active. If you’re an RN, you’ll need to file a New Mexico Board of Nursing license renewal every two years. Here are some quick facts about nursing in New Mexico and the three-step process for renewing.

New Mexico Nursing Facts

Is New Mexico part of the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC)?

Yes, a compact nursing license is valid in New Mexico. For information about renewals in other states, check out our state guide for nursing license renewals.

How much do nurses in New Mexico earn?

How can I contact the New Mexico Board of Nursing?

Use one of these contact routes to get in touch with the board:

New Mexico Board of Nursing Phone Number: 505-841-8340

New Mexico Board of Nursing Website: https://www.bon.nm.gov/

New Mexico Board of Nursing Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 3628
Albuquerque, NM 87190

New Mexico Board of Nursing Physical Address:

6301 Indian School Rd NE, Suite 710
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110

New Mexico Board of Nursing License Renewal: 3 Steps

New Mexico has two different organizations that govern nursing professionals in the state. CNAs (certified nurse aides) are listed on the New Mexico Department of Health’s CNA Registry. LPNs (licensed practical nurses), RNs, and APRNs (advanced practice RNs) are governed by the New Mexico Board of Nursing. Both organizations only take online renewals.

Follow the steps below to renew your CNA, LPN, RN, or APRN license in New Mexico. If you need a license by endorsement, you’ll submit an RN/LPN endorsement application through the Nurse Portal. You’ll also need to verify your license through the NURSYS system and complete a criminal background check.

Step 1: Determine Your Renewal Deadline

CNAs must renew their registry status every two years from the date of their last employment.

LPNs, RNs, and APRNs must renew every year, and you should get two renewal reminders via email at 60 days and 30 days before the deadline. If you’re not sure when you need to renew, look up your license on the nurse portal.

Step 2: Satisfy Continuing Education Requirements

Depending on your credentials, you’ll have specific requirements you’ll need to complete to renew. See the requirements corresponding with your license below:

  • CNA: Must have worked at least 8 hours as a CNA in the past 2 years.
  • LPN/RN: Complete 30 hours of continuing education.
  • APRN: Prove active national licensure in addition to RN renewal requirements. APRNs who prescribe controlled substances must complete an additional 5 hours of non-cancer pain management continuing education.

For more information on requirements, log into your CE Broker account. Once your contact hours are done, you’ll upload them before submitting your renewal application. If you’re an APRN, you’ll need both an RN and APRN account in CE Broker to track your contact hours.

If you need continuing education for your nursing license renewal, check out IntelyEdu. Our ANCC-approved courses are developed by nursing leaders, and IntelyPros get free access to our whole library.

Step 3: File Your New Mexico Board of Nursing License Renewal

CNAs in New Mexico can file their renewal online at Prometric’s New Mexico Nurse Aide Exam site. Fill out the first section of the Registry Renewal form, and have your employer complete the second section. You can submit your application for renewal, along with the $26.25 renewal fee, online at your Prometric account. If you work in a Medicaid-approved facility, the fee is waived. Submit the form at least two weeks before your certification expires to avoid a lapse.

LPNs, RNs, and APRNs, can also file their New Mexico Board of Nursing license renewal online once their continuing education requirements are complete. Follow the link in your reminder email to log in to your nurse portal account. You’ll need to pay a fee of $110 to renew your LPN, RN, or APRN license.

Great Areas in New Mexico for Nursing Jobs

Whether you’re a CNA, LPN, RN, or NP, New Mexico has jobs for you. Check out some of these top cities for nursing jobs:

Find Fresh Nursing Opportunities

Once you’ve finished your New Mexico Board of Nursing license renewal, why not search for new job options? Explore nursing jobs in New Mexico to find opportunities in your area and specialty.