How to Become an EMT in New Mexico

Who can apply

• You must be at least 18 years old. At 17 you may apply if you are affiliated with an EMS service, send a letter of support from the service director, and send notarized parent or guardian consent.
• You must be of good character.
• You must hold a current CPR certification approved by the EMS Bureau.
• You must complete a state and FBI fingerprint-based criminal history check (Section 24-10B-5.2 NMSA 1978).

Step by step

1. Complete an EMT-Basic course at a Bureau-approved EMS education program.
2. Pass the National Registry (NREMT) EMT exam, the Bureau-approved licensing exam.
3. Create an account on the New Mexico EMS Licensing Portal (ImageTrend) and complete the license application.
4. After the application is complete, get fingerprinted through IdentoGo for the state and FBI background check.
5. Upload your course completion certificate, CPR card and NREMT EMT certification, and pay the license fee.
6. The EMS Bureau issues your New Mexico EMT-Basic license.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: You must complete an EMT-Basic course at a Bureau-approved EMS education program within the 24 months before you apply. New Mexico rules define an approved program as one sponsored by a post-secondary school, nationally accredited (or in the process), and approved by the state's Joint Organization on Education committee. The rules do not set a course hour count.

Exam: You must pass the Bureau-approved licensing exam and send a copy of your NREMT EMT certification. Your first exam attempt must be within 12 months of finishing the course, and you must be licensed within 24 months. If you fail six attempts, or miss either deadline, you must take a new course. NREMT charges $104 per attempt for the EMT exam.

What it costs in New Mexico

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

Keeping your certification

Renewal: Renew on the EMS Licensing Portal. EMT-Basics need 40 hours of Bureau-approved CE: 4 preparatory/operations, 6 airway, 6 cardiovascular, 8 medical, 8 trauma and 8 special considerations (4 must be pediatric). At least half must be live (classroom or live webinar). You also need current CPR and a signed skills verification from your service medical director. The Bureau says CE must now be completed by March 31 of the renewal year. Fees: $30 if received before March 1, $90 from March 1 to 31, and $180 to reinstate from April 1 to May 31. A state background check is also required at every other renewal (every 4 years).

Good to know in New Mexico

NREMT not required to renew: You need NREMT certification to get your first New Mexico license, but you do not have to keep it to renew your New Mexico license.

Moving from another state: If you hold a current EMT license or certification from another state, you can apply by reciprocity ($130 fee). An NREMT card alone is not enough unless the Bureau approves. You must take a Bureau-approved out-of-state transition course and pass the New Mexico reciprocity written exam within three attempts. You can get a temporary license for up to six months while you finish.

Graduate license: Graduates of a Bureau-approved course can get a graduate license. It lets them work under direct supervision of a licensed provider for up to six months after the course, or until they fail any part of the licensing exam.

Renewal background checks: Renewing licensees send a notarized Department of Public Safety release form and a $15 money order or cashier's check. These checks follow an alphabetical schedule by last name, every other renewal.

Reciprocity deadlines: Reciprocity applicants must complete the state reciprocity exam within nine months, and be licensed within 12 months, of the date the Bureau receives the application (7.27.2.10 NMAC).

Sources

• NMDOH EMS Bureau - EMS Licensing
• 7.27.2 NMAC - Licensing of Emergency Medical Services Personnel (NM State Records Center and Archives)
• NM EMS Bureau - Continuing Education and Renewal Guide 2026
• NM EMS Bureau - Initial License and Reentry Criminal History Screening
• NM EMS Bureau - Renewal Criminal History Screening
• NM EMS Bureau - Reciprocity Criminal History Screening
• NREMT - EMT Candidate Handbook, Certification Process