Is your New Mexico nursing license expiring soon?
Are you looking for information about the CE requirements for your specific nursing profession?
Good thing you found us!
In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about the nursing CE requirements in New Mexico.
Plus, we’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions.
So let’s get started right away!
New Mexico Nursing CE Requirements
Don’t have time to read the entire article? Here’s a summary of the nursing CE requirements in NM:
| CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant) | No CEs required! Must have at least 8 working hours for the last 24 months. CNA certificate must be renewed every 2 years. |
| LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) | 30 CE hours every 2 years No mandatory courses required. |
| RN (Registered Nurse) | 30 CE hours every 2 years No mandatory courses required. |
| APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse) | 30 CE hours every 2 years Additional requirements for APRNs with DEA registration: 5 contact hours related to practice specialty 5 contact hours in management of non-cancer pain 10 contact hours in pharmacology Additional requirements for APRNs without DEA registration: 10 contact hours related to practice specialty 10 contact hours in pharmacology |
Want to know the details? Keep on reading!
New Mexico CNA Continuing Education Requirements
Good news for CNAs! You are not required to take any nursing continuing education in New Mexico.
However, to be able to renew your nursing certification, you must meet the minimum requirements:
- Complete at least 8 hours of paid work as a CNA and supervised by a registered professional nurse within the last 24-month certification period
- Your record must have no findings of resident neglect or abuse, Medicaid fraud, misappropriation of resident property.
You must fill up the renewal form and attach all the required documents with your most recent pay stub or W-2 form as proof of employment.
New Mexico LPN Continuing Education Requirements
In New Mexico, LPNs should complete 30 contact hours of continuing education to renew their license.
This can be met in 3 ways:
- Continue a formal Board-approved nursing education or program that has national nursing accreditation
- Participate in nursing continuing education programs offered by accredited educational providers
- Obtain or renew your nursing specialty certification (not an APRN certification) within the licensure renewal period
Nurses who are on active military duty during the renewal period are NOT REQUIRED to meet the nursing continuing education requirements. However, a mobilization order should be submitted together with the renewal application.
New Mexico RN Continuing Education Requirements
Just like LPNs, RNs are also required to complete 30 contact hours of nursing continuing education from an approved institution.
There are 3 ways to meet the continuing education requirements in New Mexico:
- Renew or get nursing specialty certification on the licensure period
- Participate in any continuing education activities that are offered by accredited providers
- Continue nursing education or program with national nursing accreditation
As for nurses mobilized for military action, they are NOT REQUIRED to complete the nursing continuing education during active duty. Their renewal application should have a mobilization order, though.
New Mexico APRN Continuing Education Requirements
The continuing education requirements for APRNs depend on whether they hold a DEA license or not. But, in general, APRNs are required to complete 30 CE hours every 2 years.
If you have a DEA registration, you are required to finish the following mandatory courses:
- 5 contact hours related to practice specialty
- 5 contact hours in management of non-cancer pain
- 10 contact hours in pharmacology
Don’t have DEA registration? Here are the additional mandatory courses to take:
- 10 contact hours related to practice specialty
- 10 contact hours in pharmacology
FAQs
How do I renew my nursing license online in New Mexico?
Create an account or log in to your nursing portal account.
Then, you need to fill up the necessary forms for license renewal.
You will also be asked to upload your CE certificates that were obtained during your renewal period. If needed, you also need to upload your National Certification.
How can I renew my lapsed New Mexico nursing license?
If you have a lapsed license, you need to complete the Reinstatement Application on your New Mexico Board of Nursing Portal account. You also need to submit the attestation of an expired license (ELA) within 5 days of submitting your reinstatement/reactivation application.
Additionally, you need to comply with the required nursing continuing education within the past 24 months.
How long will it take to have my nursing license renewed in New Mexico?
Once you have submitted all required documents to the New Mexico Board of Nursing, it will take about 24-48 hours if there are no issues or additional documents needed to complete the process.
For the reactivation of the nursing license, it will take 72 hours.
When does my nursing license expire in New Mexico?
Whatever nursing license you hold in New Mexico, whether that’s a CNA, LPN, RN, or APRN license, it will expire every 2 years from the date issued.
Unlike some states where there are specific months and years of expiration, New Mexico has different expirations for every nurse.
So if you see that your license is close to expiring, then you should start working on those requirements.
Conclusion
So those are the nursing CE requirements in New Mexico.
To give you a quick recap:
- CNAs don’t need to take any CE course. But they do have to show proof of employment
- LPNs and RNs need to complete 30 CE hours. That can be through a nursing specialty certification, continuing education activities by an approved provider, or a nursing program with national accreditation
- APRNs also need 30 CE hours. In addition, if you hold a DEA registration, there are specific topics that you should study. The same is true if you don’t hold a DEA registration. (See above for details)
Well, that’s everything you need to know about the nursing CE requirements in New Mexico!
We hope our article gives you insights into what you need before renewing your license.
Last updated: March 31, 2023 (Requirements taken from New Mexico BON website)