StateLicensed

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) License Requirements in New Mexico

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
—
Upfront cost
$169
Exam
NREMT EMT Cognitive Examination, NREMT Psychomotor (Skills) Examination, New Mexico Reciprocity Written Examination
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
New Mexico Department of Health, Emergency Medical Services Bureau

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 18 years old, pass a criminal background check. 7.27.2.9 NMAC, Subsection F(2) requires applicants to be at least 18 years old, with a limited exception allowing 17-year-olds with service affiliation and parental consent. 7.27.2.8 NMAC, Subsection C requires applicants to complete the criminal history background screening process described at Section 24-10B-5.2 NMSA 1978. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete training at a state-approved program. 7.27.2.8 NMAC, Subsection F(5)(c) requires a certificate of completion from an EMT-B course completed at a bureau-approved EMS education program (accomplished within the previous 24 months); the regulation itself does not state a single fixed statewide clock-hour minimum. Individual bureau-approved programs (e.g. UNM EMS Academy, CNM, San Juan College) publish course lengths in roughly the 160-192+ hour range, but that is program-set, not a state-mandated figure, so hours is left null rather than picking one program's number. [1]

  3. 3

    NREMT EMT Cognitive Examination

    Pass the NREMT EMT Cognitive Examination (fee: $104). 7.27.2.9 NMAC, Subsection F(5)(e) requires a copy of the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) EMT certification card, acquired after bureau-approved course and examination completion, for New Mexico in-state EMT-B licensure. The $104 fee is NREMT's current published national EMT cognitive exam fee, not a New Mexico-specific fee. [1]

  4. 4

    NREMT Psychomotor (Skills) Examination

    Pass the NREMT Psychomotor (Skills) Examination. Required as part of NREMT certification, which 7.27.2.9 NMAC requires for New Mexico EMT-B licensure. No separate NREMT-published national fee for the psychomotor component was found; it is typically coordinated through the candidate's training program rather than billed directly, so left null. [1]

  5. 5

    New Mexico Reciprocity Written Examination

    Pass the New Mexico Reciprocity Written Examination. Applies only to out-of-state applicants seeking licensure by reciprocity under 7.27.2.10 NMAC, not to standard in-state initial licensure (which uses NREMT). Candidates must pass this state-written exam within three attempts and within nine months of application. No separate published fee for the exam itself was found beyond the reciprocity/seasonal application fee. [1]

  6. 6

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to New Mexico Department of Health, Emergency Medical Services Bureau with the $65 application fee. [1]

  7. 7

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, New Mexico Department of Health, Emergency Medical Services Bureau issues your Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B) for New Mexico.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [1] $65
License fee [1] None specified
Renewal fee [1] $30
NREMT EMT Cognitive Examination [1] $104
NREMT Psychomotor (Skills) Examination [1] None specified
New Mexico Reciprocity Written Examination [1] None specified
Reciprocity/seasonal licensure application fee [1] $130
Late (March) renewal fee [1] $90
Re-entry application fee [1] $90
Reinstatement application fee [1] $180
EMT-Basic examination retest fee [1] $30

7.27.2.13 NMAC sets a $65 in-state initial application fee and $30 normal renewal fee for EMT-Basic; there is no separate 'license issuance' fee distinct from the application fee, so license is left null to avoid double-counting. The full fee table did not render completely through this session's fetch tool on the official srca.nm.gov page (content was truncated); dollar figures were cross-checked against the Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute's mirror of the same current N.M. Admin. Code section 7.27.2.13 to confirm accuracy.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years. 40 continuing education hours required per cycle.

7.27.2.11 NMAC, Subsection I requires a minimum of 40 contact hours of bureau-approved continuing education for EMT-B renewal, distributed across specific domains (airway/ventilation 6 hrs, cardiovascular 6 hrs, medical 8 hrs, trauma 8 hrs, special considerations 8 hrs, plus remaining elective hours). The nmhealth.org EMS Licensing page confirms a 2-year renewal cycle with CE due by March 31 of the renewal year.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

7.27.2.10 NMAC allows an out-of-state EMT-B to apply with a current out-of-state certification/licensure card and current CPR certification, but requires completion of a bureau-approved transition course for out-of-state applicants and passage of New Mexico's own reciprocity written examination (within three attempts, within nine months of application), plus payment of the reciprocity fee -- this is a more involved pathway than simple endorsement. New Mexico was not listed among current member states on the EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact (REPLICA) commission's own commissioners page (emscompact.gov/the-commission/commissioners) as of the accessed date, so compacts is left empty.

10 state-approved training providers in New Mexico — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $65
  • $104
Total$169

Frequently asked questions

Does New Mexico require the NREMT exam to become an EMT?

Yes. 7.27.2.9 NMAC requires in-state EMT-Basic applicants to hold a National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) EMT certification card, earned by passing the NREMT cognitive exam ($104, via Pearson VUE) and the NREMT psychomotor skills exam, after completing a bureau-approved EMT-B course.

How old do you have to be to become an EMT-B in New Mexico?

At least 18 years old, per 7.27.2.9 NMAC, with a limited exception allowing 17-year-olds who have service affiliation and parental consent.

How much does it cost to apply for EMT-Basic licensure in New Mexico?

The in-state initial application fee is $65, and the normal renewal fee is $30, per 7.27.2.13 NMAC. Out-of-state applicants pursuing reciprocity or seasonal licensure pay a higher $130 application fee.

How often do New Mexico EMT-B licenses need to be renewed?

Every 2 years, with continuing education (a minimum of 40 bureau-approved CE hours under 7.27.2.11 NMAC) due by March 31 of the renewal year.

Can an EMT licensed in another state get licensed in New Mexico?

Yes, via the reciprocity pathway in 7.27.2.10 NMAC, but it requires more than simple endorsement: applicants must complete a bureau-approved transition course for out-of-state applicants and pass New Mexico's own reciprocity written examination, in addition to holding a current out-of-state certification and CPR card.

Sources

  1. [1] srca.nm.gov/parts/title07/07.027.0002.html — accessed 2026-07-12