Respiratory Therapist / New Mexico
2026 data New Mexico board official source

New Mexico Respiratory Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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Treats patients with breathing disorders. Requires TMC exam.

What the New Mexico data shows for Respiratory Therapists

To practice as a respiratory therapist in New Mexico, the state licensing board requires 2,270 documented education or training hours, a passing score on TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice). A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under New Mexico's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Associate Degree".

Upfront cost is $204, with renewal running $166 on a 2-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 24-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

For respiratory therapists, the reciprocity picture is: Respiratory Therapy Licensure Compact: adoption underway.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
41/100
Respiratory Therapist · New Mexico

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.

Education & Training F
2,270 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$204
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$83/yr
$166 every 2 years
Continuing Education C-
12.0 hrs/yr
24 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in New Mexico

Education / Training Hours
Associate Degree
2,270 hours
Exam Requirement
TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice)
Required
Initial License Fee
$204
Renewal Fee
$166
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
24 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Respiratory Therapist All New Mexico licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with New Mexico licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Respiratory Therapist in New Mexico? ▼
New Mexico's requirements cover 2270 hours of education or training, the TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice) exam, and an initial fee of $204. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Respiratory Therapist in New Mexico? ▼
Certification as a respiratory therapist in New Mexico means clearing the state's checklist: 2270 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The New Mexico licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Respiratory Therapist license to New Mexico from another state? ▼
Respiratory Therapist licenses generally reciprocate as follows: Respiratory Therapy Licensure Compact: adoption underway. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The New Mexico licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does New Mexico require a background check for Respiratory Therapist licensing? ▼
Yes, New Mexico requires a criminal background check as part of the respiratory therapist licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Respiratory Therapist in New Mexico? ▼
To stay licensed as a respiratory therapist in New Mexico, plan on 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $166.

Related Guides

What to do with this respiratory therapist license

Respiratory Therapist in New Mexico, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a respiratory therapist-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how New Mexico's respiratory therapist requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Respiratory Therapist in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state respiratory therapist 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 PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.