*** The New Mexico Board of Nursing does not license Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs). Please see the Department of Health at https://nmhealth.org/about/phd/fhb/mwp/ for CNM licensure. ***
APRN Initial Application
To apply for initial licensure, you will need to submit:
- Online APRN Initial Application
- Request official transcripts directly from the educational program.
- Transcripts MUST be received directly from the educational program
- Completed Verification of APRN Education Form must be received directly from the educational program
- Proof of current national certification.
- Applicants are eligible for a graduate permit prior to siting for the certifying examination.
- Proof of holding an active RN License (for nurses licensed outside of New Mexico).
- If using a valid multistate (Compact) license, must provide proof of holding the license
- Proof of licensure must include the issuance and expiration dates, multistate/compact status, licensee name and license number.
- Graduate permit may be requested if needed
- Graduate permits may be issued for applicants, provided all requirements for APRN licensure have been met with the exception of holding a national certification, and the following have been received in the Board of Nursing office:
- Proof of scheduling the national certification exam; and
- A letter of verification of intent to employ, on official letterhead including the name and license number of the practice supervisor and the name and license number of the prescription supervisor, is required from each employer.
- Graduate permits will be issued to the employer:
- The name of the employment institution and the name(s) of the supervisor(s) shall be indicated on the graduate permit.
- A graduate permit is valid until the date of expiration.
- Failure of the certification examination
APRN Prescriptive Authority
APRNs in NM are able to obtain dangerous drugs prescriptive authority from the NM Board of Nursing and controlled substance prescriptive authority from the NM Board of Pharmacy if they meet the requirements laid out in Statute/Rule:
CNP 61-3-23.2.C.- D. NMSA 1978; 16.12.2.13.N.(5) NMAC
CRNA 61-3-23.3.D.- E. NMSA 1978; 16.12.2.14.M.(5) NMAC
CNS 61-3-23.4.C.- D. NMSA 1978; 16.12.2.15.L.(5) NMAC
- Completed a minimum of 400 hour of work experience in which prescribing dangerous drugs has occurred within the two years immediately preceding the date of application;
- This is verified via the Verification of APRN Education form completed by the APRN program; or
- Successful competition of a prescriptive authority preceptorship consisting of 400 hours of precepted prescribing of dangerous drugs which must be completed within six months
- Submit an Affidavit Requesting Prescriptive Authority [link document here]
- Preceptor must provide to the Board of Nursing, on letterhead, a letter including the name and license number of the prescription preceptor(s)
- The Board of Nursing will issue a letter of authorization for the preceptorship.
To obtain controlled substance prescriptive authority in New Mexico APRNs who received non-controlled substance prescriptive authority from the New Mexico Board of Nursing must:
- Apply for a controlled substance registration form the New Mexico Board of Pharmacy.
- Apply for a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration.
- Provide the New Mexico Board of Nursing a copy of your CS and DEA registrations once obtained.
Specific Information based on APRN Type
Specific rules around graduate permits can be found in the Rules:
CNP 16.12.2.13.C. NMAC
CRNA 16.12.2.14.C. NMAC
CNS 16.12.2.15.C. NMAC
The New Mexico Nursing Practice Act and accompanying rules can be found at /laws-rules.aspx.