New Mexico Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) License Requirements
Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.
Provides basic patient care under supervision. Requires NCLEX-PN exam.
What the New Mexico data shows for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)s
New Mexico's path to licensed practical nurse (lpn) licensure runs through 1,385 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on NCLEX-PN, plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. New Mexico folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Diploma or Associate Degree".
The initial price tag is $171, and renewal costs $127 every 2 years. The license also carries an ongoing 24-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.
On reciprocity, licensed practical nurse (lpn)s should know: NLC Compact: 41 states allow multistate practice.
Licensing Ease Score
A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.
Licensing Requirements in New Mexico
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Frequently Asked Questions
What license do I need for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in New Mexico? ▼
How do I get certified as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in New Mexico? ▼
Can I transfer my Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license to New Mexico from another state? ▼
Does New Mexico require a background check for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) licensing? ▼
What are the continuing education requirements for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in New Mexico? ▼
Related Guides
What to do with this licensed practical nurse (lpn) license
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in New Mexico, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a licensed practical nurse (lpn)-wide, 50-state comparison.
- See how New Mexico's licensed practical nurse (lpn) requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in every state
- Confirm whether your out-of-state licensed practical nurse (lpn) license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
- See how New Mexico's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. New Mexico overview
Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the New Mexico licensing board before making career decisions.
Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the August 2026 PlainCredential comparison corpus maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.