How to Become a Police Officer in New Mexico

Who can apply

• Be a U.S. citizen or be authorized to work by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (work authorization added by 2025 SB 364, Laws 2025 ch. 78).
• Have reached the age of majority.
• Hold a high school diploma or the equivalent.
• Hold a valid driver's license.
• No felony conviction (including guilty or no-contest pleas). No conviction in the last three years for aggravated assault, theft, DWI, controlled substances or another crime of moral turpitude.
• No dishonorable release or discharge from the U.S. armed forces.
• Pass a physical exam by a licensed physician and a psychological exam by a licensed or certified psychologist. The psychological evaluation can be no more than one year old.
• Be of good moral character.

Step by step

1. Get hired by a New Mexico law enforcement agency (the agency sponsors you for the academy).
2. Your agency submits the academy application packet within 30 days of your hire date, at least 14 business days before the class start date.
3. Complete the physician-signed medical exam (LEA-3), the psychological evaluation, fingerprint clearance, and CPR/First Aid within 12 months before class.
4. Pass the mandatory assessment, including the entrance physical fitness test.
5. Complete Basic Police Officer Training at the NMLEA or an approved satellite academy and pass the Law Enforcement Officer Certification Exam (LEOCE).
6. Be certified within 12 months of starting work as a police officer, or you forfeit the position.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Basic Police Officer Training (BPOT) at the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy or a council-approved satellite academy. The NMLEA lists a 675-677 hour curriculum; the rule (10.29.9.8 NMAC) lists a minimum of 672 hours. Before carrying a handgun, a new non-certified officer needs at least 16 hours of entry-level firearms training. Classes are capped at 60 students.

Exam: The final academy exam is the Law Enforcement Officer Certification Exam (LEOCE). Basic academy graduates get two tries within one year of finishing the academy; after two failures they must take the academic part of the Certification by Waiver program before a third try, and after three failures they must redo the full basic academy. A passing LEOCE score keeps you eligible for certification for one year, and you are certified only once hired by a New Mexico agency. For officers coming in by waiver, the passing score is 70% and there are two attempts; failing both means attending full basic training. Academy fitness standards (below 6,000 feet): entrance 1.5-mile run in 15:14, 300-meter run in 71 seconds, 27 sit-ups and 15 push-ups in one minute each. Exit standards are higher (13:45, 64 seconds, 37 sit-ups, 25 push-ups). Above 6,000 feet the run time gets a 40-second adjustment.

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.

How long it takes

An NMLEA basic class runs about 16 weeks. Certification must be completed within 12 months of hire.

Keeping your certification

Renewal: Certified officers need at least 40 hours of council-approved in-service training per two-year cycle (January 1 of an even year through December 31 of the next odd year). The first course must start within 12 months of academy graduation. Mandatory topics include safe pursuit, firearms (with annual qualification at 80%), hate crimes, interactions with persons with mental impairments, legal update, domestic violence, child abuse and missing persons/AMBER Alert. Proof is due to the NMLEA director by March 1 of the following year.

Good to know in New Mexico

Out-of-state and federal officers: Officers transferring to a New Mexico agency can use Certification by Waiver: an 80-hour course (ethics, search and seizure, New Mexico law, mental illness, use of force, domestic violence and human trafficking) ending with the LEOCE at 70%. If your agency documents the 80 hours, you may challenge the LEOCE. Anyone not employed full time as an officer for more than eight years must attend full basic training.

Deadlines after hire: The academy application is due within 30 days of hire. No applicant is admitted more than one year after the hire date unless the officer's commission was suspended and the agency will reinstate them after certification. State law says an officer forfeits the position if not certified within 12 months.

Leaving the job: An officer with five or more years of commissioned service who leaves in good standing can keep certification by completing an approved 20-hour annual in-service program, starting within two years of leaving.

Agency rules: State law sets only the age of majority. Individual agencies (for example, New Mexico State Police) may set a higher minimum age and run their own entrance tests.

LEOCE retakes and time limits: Academy graduates get two tries at the LEOCE within one year of finishing the academy. After two failures you must take the academic part of the Certification by Waiver program before a third try; a third failure means repeating basic training. A passing score keeps you eligible for one year; if hired after that you must take the Certification by Waiver short course, and after three years you must repeat basic training.

Sources

• NMLEA - Basic Police Officer Training (BPOT)
• NMLEA - Certification by Waiver (CBW)
• NMLEA - In-Service Training
• NM Legislature - SB 364 (2025), Laws 2025 ch. 78, amending NMSA 29-7-6 Qualifications for certification
• NM Legislature - SB 364 (2025) bill status
• 10.29.9 NMAC - Police officer minimum standards of training (State Records Center and Archives)