CNA Certification in New Mexico

How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant in New Mexico

Obtaining CNA certification in New Mexico is very straightforward and relatively easy to accomplish. You will have to get training, meet testing eligibility standards, take the state exams, and appear on the state registry. The New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD) and the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) have contracted with Prometric to develop and administer the New Mexico Nurse Aide Competency Examination and manage the Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Registry.

CNA candidates in New Mexico need to meet certain requirements before enrolling in a training program and will not be allowed to schedule a place in the state exam until approved. All of the required forms are available for download at the Prometric New Mexico page.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for enrollment in certified nursing assistant certification training in New Mexico requires the following:

Candidates have to be at least 16 years of age;A candidate must supply proof of a health exam that includes TB testing, drug screening, and immunizations;High school diploma or GED is required; andThe student is going to have to submit to a criminal background check that includes CNA registry complaints as well as felonies. Some offenses may leave the candidate unable to become a CNA.

Applying for CNA Certification in New Mexico

Some CNA candidates can avoid the certification training if they already have experience and qualifications. The following group of New Mexico CNA candidates may take the exam and appear on the state nurse aide registry without following these traditional steps:

Military trained nurses who have obtained an approval letter from the DOH can complete the state exam and be placed on the registry;Graduate nurses who have completed a state approved nursing program but who are not yet licensed can apply for the exam;Nurse students can get CNA certification if they have finished their nursing program in the past 24 months;Lapsed in-state CNAs can skip directly to the exam is they have a certificate that is expired in the past 24 months;Lapsed and out of state CNAs listed on other registries, and with expirations in the past 24 months can appeal to the DOH for an approval letter; andReciprocity candidates – out-of-state CNAs who have current certification in another state may apply to the DOH for reciprocity. If approved, they are registered without further training or testing.

Certified nursing assistant certification candidates in need of training will find resources at the DOH website. The CNA certification programs in New Mexico must always feature at least 75 hours of classroom work and another 100 clinical hours. This takes around 13 weeks to finish, and only then can a candidate apply for permission to take the exam.

The exam has two tests – one for practical skills and another for written knowledge. These can be given orally for those with testing problems, or as traditional written tests, and are in English only. Once you receive an authorization letter, you can book the exam with Prometric. The costs vary according to manner given and the attempt made.

Costs

The cost for the weeks of official CNA certification training in New Mexico is more than $1000. While an employer may pay for your training, the State of New Mexico pays test fees for candidates who have been offered employment or are currently employed by a Medicaid certified nursing facility.

The test fees are currently at the following amounts:

Both written and practical: $105
Both written and practical administered orally: $115.50
Retesting is per section, and written testing costs $38.85, skills testing costs $66.15, and the oral exam is $49.35.

FAQ

Below is a list of facts that are very useful for anyone pursuing CNA certification in New Mexico:

To be eligible to renew certification, CNAs must have worked for pay for at least eight hours during the most recent 24-month certification period. They must have worked under the supervision of a licensed or registered nurse.The certification period will be for two years from the last reported date of employment.Candidates have 24 months from the date they completed their training program to take and pass both parts of the Competency Examination.Applications are needed for training, for approval to take the exam, and for the actual exam itself.

Helpful Resources around the Web

Prometric
1260 Energy Lane
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone: (866) 391-1945
Web: www.prometric.com/NurseAide/NM

New Mexico Department of Health
Health Facility Licensing and Certification Bureau
2040 S. Pacheco Street, Room 413
Santa Fe, NM 87505
Phone: (505) 479-9040
E-mail: nar@state.nm.us
Web: http://dhi.health.state.nm.us/NAR/nar.php