Licensing and certification through EMT and paramedic training in the state of New Mexico are governed by the New Mexico Emergency Medical Systems (NMEMS). This state bureau must approve all the applicants, as well as their certifications, before the individual can be employed in the state as an EMT.
The state of New Mexico and the New Mexico Emergency Medical Systems also requires the individual who has completed EMT training to pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam and recognizes the exam certification if taken in other states. However, New Mexico does not use the NREMT as a foundation for licensure in the state. Passing state approved licensing and certification exams are also required before state licensing is issued. Once a NM EMT training course has been completed, all EMTs are required to submit their EMT Course Completion Certificate (CCC) with the licensing/certification application. New Mexico has four levels of training certification and licensing: First Responder, EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate and EMT-Paramedic. EMT Basic is the entry level required to become an EMT or paramedic in New Mexico.
New Mexico EMT training information and requirements
To become a certified EMT or paramedic in New Mexico an individual:
- must be at least 18 years of age (age 16 for First Responder)
- must enroll in EMT-basic training and pass EMT certification
- must pass a criminal background check
- must possess current CPR certification
- must have a high school diploma, GED or equivalent
- must pass a drug screening
Training programs in New Mexico must meet minimum standards for coursework and clinical experience to be accredited. These programs vary in length and credit hours due to the variables in each program. In addition to the program course hours, clinical experience is required for each NM EMS training course and level certification.
In addition (for paramedic): the applicant must successfully complete the bureau approved EMT-P licensing examination, and pass the NREMT and present a copy of your national registry certification card - acquired after a NM EMS Bureau approved course and examination is successfully completed. There are other requirements; this is a “short list.”
Certification and Licensing
1. First Responders must be at least 16 years of age and submit a parent approval application in order to qualify for First Responder training. The following documents are required for First Responder certification licensing:
- A completed Registration for Training and/or Certification/Licensure Application (which can be found online)
- A copy of your First Responder Course Completion certificate
- A current CPR certification (through an approved course) and a copy of your current CPR card.
- A check, Money Order, or Purchase Order for $25.00 made out to the NM EMS Bureau.
2. In State Applicants for EMT- Basic & Intermediate. The following documents are required for EMT- Basic & Intermediate certification licensing:
- A copy of current EMT training course completion certificate (less than 9 months old by test date)
- A completed Registration for Training and/or Certification/Licensure Application
- A completed Request to Test Application
- A check, Money Order, or Purchase Order for $65.00 (EMT-B) or $75.00 (EMT-I) made out to the NM EMS Bureau.
- A current CPR certification (through an approved course) and a copy of your current CPR card.
Paramedic employment applications:
Once your completed application has been processed, eligible applicants will receive a “Graduate’s” license. This is valid for 6 months from the date you completed the EMT training course and allows you to (temporarily) provide services as an EMT Basic/Intermediate, while under supervision of a licensed EMT of the same level. During this time period you will next need to take the New Mexico State licensing examination. This exam must be completed within nine months based from the date of your course completion certificate. Successful completion of the New Mexico State licensing examination must be completed within twenty-four months based on the date of EMT training course completion. 3. Paramedic Licensing Application Information. The following documents are required for Paramedic certification licensing:
- Completed application form
- $85.00 fee payable to the EMS Bureau (check, PO, or money order)
- Copy of current ACLS card
- Copy of current BLS CPR card
- Copy of National Registry Paramedic card
- Copy of Paramedic course completion certificate
Additional Information
New Mexico provides state testing sites in three locations: Albuquerque, Las Cruces, and Clovis. An individual submitting an application of certification or licensing will have their application processed in the order it was received. Once the application is processed, test site acceptance is filled on a first come, first serve basis and until the test site is full, for that particular test date. If an individual is not accepted for their first choice test site, they will be scheduled in their second choice. The exam takes approximately 2 ½ hours, and currently consist of 150 questions, all multiple choice. EMT candidates are notified by mail as to their test results, usually within 10 working days of taking the exam. Most of the applications needed for applying, certification, re-certification, etc. can be found online. All licensing requirement information, forms, and checks (no cash) should be mailed to: NM EMS Bureau / 1301 Siler Road, Building F / Santa Fe, NM 87507
License Reciprocity and Recertification:
If you have passed the NREMT exam and/or are certified from another state you will still need to pass a transition course in order to become certified or licensed as an EMT in the state of New Mexico. New Mexico does require re-certification at regular intervals. Depending upon the level of EMT training and certification, it usually only requires filling out an application and paying a small licensing fee. Once you complete the application, you must return it along with a copy of your CURRENT out-of-state and/or National Registry certification, a current CPR card, and the appropriate fee. A background check with the NR will be conducted and then you can be issued a temporary license, good for 6 months. If you are seeking FR/EMT-B/EMT-I licensure you will need to locate a transition course taught by one of the 6 approved EMS training institutions. Re-certification is required for all EMS personnel every two years. Average salaries in New Mexico start between $30,000 and $40,000 a year. In addition to a higher than average starting salary, EMTs in New Mexico are often provided with excellent benefit and retirement packages. Most New Mexico EMT training programs are through local community colleges and technical schools. University of NM School of Medicine, in Albuquerque, and the Eastern NM University Roswell are just two New Mexico paramedic schools offering certification courses.
Contact Information
New Mexico Emergency Medical Systems – NMEMS 1301 Siler Road, Bld F. Santa Fe, NM 87507 EMS