How to Become a Medical Assistant in New Mexico

Checked against New Mexico Medical Board (16.10.13 NMAC); x-ray licensing by the New Mexico Environment Department, Radiation Control Bureau (20.3.20 NMAC) · Verified 2026-10-15

Exam: Not required
Training: Not required
Term: No medical assistant credential. Only the x-ray limited practice of radiography license has a term: 24 months, ending on the last day of the month it was issued (or of the following month if issued after the 15th).
State fee: None for medical assistants. X-ray only: $10 application fee per application, $150 state limited radiography exam fee, and $100 initial license fee to the New Mexico Environment Department (20.3.20.501 NMAC).
Rules set by: New Mexico Medical Board (16.10.13 NMAC); x-ray licensing by the New Mexico Environment Department, Radiation Control Bureau (20.3.20 NMAC)

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Who can apply

New Mexico does not license medical assistants. The Medical Board defines a medical assistant as anyone not licensed as a health care practitioner in New Mexico who works under the direction and supervision of a licensed physician (16.10.13.7 NMAC).
To use cosmetic or therapeutic devices (such as lasers or intense pulsed light), you must be trained and certified on each device, and your supervising physician must file a certificate of training with the Medical Board first (16.10.13.8 NMAC).
To take x-rays you need a limited practice of radiography license from the New Mexico Environment Department (20.3.20.310 NMAC).

Step by step

Finish a medical assisting program or on-the-job training.
Optionally earn a national certification (CMA-AAMA, RMA-AMT, CCMA-NHA or NCMA-NCCT). New Mexico does not require one for MA work.
If your job uses cosmetic or therapeutic devices, complete device-specific training; your supervising physician files a certificate of training form with the Medical Board before you use the device.
If your job includes x-rays, complete a board-approved limited radiography program, pass the state limited radiography exam (75% on the core and each body area), and get a limited practice of radiography license.
Work under the direction and supervision of a licensed New Mexico physician.

Training and exam

Training: No state-mandated medical assistant program. For medical therapeutic or cosmetic devices, 16.10.13.8 NMAC requires training and certification on each device covering device physics and safety, the procedure, indications and contraindications, pre- and post-care, complications and infection control. For x-rays, a limited radiography program approved by the Environmental Improvement Board is required.

Exam: New Mexico has no state medical assistant exam; national certification is voluntary. Taking x-rays requires passing the state examination for limited practice of radiography given by the Environment Department, with at least 75% on the core section and on each body area attempted (20.3.20.310 NMAC).

No state exam here, but most employers ask for national certification. Practice for the CMA/RMA/CCMA free →

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.

Medical assisting program tuition(optional)$
Optional national certification exam$
NM limited radiography state exam fee (x-ray only)(optional)$150
NM limited radiography initial license fee (x-ray only)(optional)$100
NM application fee, per application (x-ray only)(optional)$10
NM limited radiography biennial renewal fee (x-ray only)(optional)$100

Estimated total in New Mexico$0

Cost details from the state

Medical assisting program tuition varies by school.
Optional national certification exam fee, paid to the certifying body.
X-ray only (20.3.20.501 NMAC): application fee $10 per application, state exam fee $150, initial license fee $100, biennial renewal fee $100, reinstatement fee $25.

Pay in New Mexico

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Keeping your credential

Renewal: X-ray limited practice of radiography license only: before it expires, submit the renewal application, the $100 biennial fee, and proof of 24 hours of category A or A+ continuing education (approved by an ARRT-recognized evaluation mechanism) completed during the license term. A $25 reinstatement fee applies if you do not submit a complete renewal before the license expires (20.3.20.330, 20.3.20.501 NMAC).

Good to know in New Mexico

What a medical assistant can do in New Mexico: Under 16.10.13 NMAC, a New Mexico physician may delegate certain medical procedures to a medical assistant with appropriate training and supervision. A certified MA may use non-incisive, non-ablative therapeutic or cosmetic devices (for example laser hair removal) only when the supervising physician is immediately available on the premises and has first done the history, exam, diagnosis and written treatment protocol.

What a medical assistant cannot do: Injecting cosmetic or aesthetic substances is the practice of medicine and may not be delegated to medical assistants (16.10.13.9 NMAC). MAs may not use incisive or ablative devices, and must follow the physician's written protocol without independent medical judgment.

X-ray: A limited practice of radiography licensee may x-ray only the licensed area (thorax, extremities, dental, axial/appendicular skeleton, or foot, ankle and lower leg) under direct supervision of a licensed practitioner, and may not do contrast, fluoroscopy, mammography, CT, or mobile or bedside radiography. Renewal requires 24 hours of ARRT-recognized category A or A+ continuing education per license term (20.3.20.330 NMAC). In federally designated medically underserved areas, a limited licensee may go beyond their scope in an emergency on a practitioner's order.

X-ray exam retakes and license term: If you score under 75% on the core or a body-area section of the state limited radiography exam, you must retake the failed sections, re-apply and pay the exam fee for each attempt. After three failed attempts you must complete remedial education or training before retaking (20.3.20.310 NMAC). Licenses run 24 months (20.3.20.320 NMAC).

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with New Mexico Medical Board (16.10.13 NMAC); x-ray licensing by the New Mexico Environment Department, Radiation Control Bureau (20.3.20 NMAC) before you apply.