New Mexico
Compact StateNursing Continuing Education Requirements
New Mexico Nursing CEU Overview
New Mexico requires registered nurses to complete 30 contact hours of continuing education every 2 years to maintain an active license. Newly licensed nurses are exempt from CE requirements for their first renewal period.
The New Mexico Board of Nursing requires specific mandatory topics, including Pain and Suffering. These topics must be completed according to the frequency specified by the board.
All continuing education hours may be completed online through approved providers. Always verify course accreditation with the New Mexico Board of Nursing before enrolling.
Nursing in New Mexico
New Mexico has approximately 25,000 licensed registered nurses serving a population of 2.1 million. The University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque is the state's largest employer and only Level I trauma center. New Mexico faces significant nursing shortages in rural and frontier areas, with many communities lacking adequate healthcare access.
New Mexico requires 30 contact hours of continuing education every two years for RN license renewal. New Mexico mandates training in pain and suffering management. The state's diverse population requires cultural competency in healthcare delivery, particularly for Native American and Hispanic communities.
Common Practice Settings in New Mexico
UNM Health
The academic medical center serves as a safety net hospital and provides specialty care statewide.
Indian Health Service
IHS facilities throughout New Mexico serve significant Native American populations.
Rural and Frontier
Many New Mexico communities are classified as frontier, with extremely limited healthcare access.
New Mexico License Renewal Tips
Complete 30 contact hours, including pain management training.
Consider cultural competency CE for serving diverse populations.
Use nationally accredited providers.
Keep certificates for at least 5 years.
Nurse Licensure Compact in New Mexico
New Mexico is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. This benefits nurses who may work in border areas near Arizona, Colorado, Texas, or Utah.
Learn more about the Nurse Licensure Compact →Basic License Types
Registered Nurse (RN)
Contact Hours
30
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Exempt
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Pain and Suffering One-time requirement for prescribers | 6 | One-time |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Hours must be related to nursing practice.
LPN/LVN
Contact Hours
30
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Exempt
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial licensure
Notes
- Hours must be related to nursing practice.
APRN (General)
Contact Hours
50
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Exempt
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 15 | Each renewal |
Pain and Suffering One-time requirement for prescribers | 6 | One-time |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Higher CE requirement for APRNs with prescriptive authority.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current national certification
Advanced Practice Specialties
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Contact Hours
50
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Exempt
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 15 | Each renewal |
Pain and Suffering One-time requirement for prescribers | 6 | One-time |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Higher CE requirement for APRNs with prescriptive authority.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current ANCC or AANP certification
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Contact Hours
50
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Exempt
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 15 | Each renewal |
Pain and Suffering One-time requirement for prescribers | 6 | One-time |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Higher CE requirement for APRNs with prescriptive authority.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current ANCC certification in specialty area
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
Contact Hours
50
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Exempt
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 15 | Each renewal |
Pain and Suffering One-time requirement for prescribers | 6 | One-time |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Higher CE requirement for APRNs with prescriptive authority.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current AMCB certification
Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Contact Hours
50
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Online Allowed
Yes
First Renewal
Exempt
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Pharmacology For prescriptive authority holders | 15 | Each renewal |
Pain and Suffering One-time requirement for prescribers | 6 | One-time |
Exemptions
- First renewal within 2 years of initial certification
Notes
- Higher CE requirement for APRNs with prescriptive authority.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain current NBCRNA certification
New Mexico requires 30 contact hours every 2 years for RN license renewal. Compared to neighboring states, Colorado has no general CE requirement, while Oklahoma requires fewer (24 hours). As a Nurse Licensure Compact state, New Mexico allows nurses to practice across state lines with a multistate license.
Related Resources
Track Your CEUs
Log your completed courses and monitor progress toward New Mexico requirements.
Start Tracking →Compare State Requirements
See how New Mexico compares to other states' nursing CE requirements.
Compare States →New Mexico Board of Nursing
(505) 841-8340
6301 Indian School Road NE, Suite 710, Albuquerque, NM 87110
Important Disclaimer
Requirements can change. Always verify current requirements directly with the New Mexico Board of Nursing before making decisions about your continuing education.