Many people are asking me on how to apply to New Mexico so I read their application forms and guidelines and tried to make it as simple as possible. Please take note that I made these steps for international nurses applying by examination to New Mexico. Also, please be reminded that I have no experience in applying to New Mexico and just gathered information through their official website.

I hope that the information here can guide you so you can have an easier process in doing your application. So let’s start with the process:

1. The first thing you need to do is download the application form by going to this link: New Mexico Exam Application. To open the document, you must have Adobe Reader and you can download the program for free.
2. Once the document is opened, print a hard copy read through all the information. Reading instructions are VITAL to having a complete, concise and worry free application process.
3. Please be reminded NOT to leave any blanks on the form. If a question is NON APPLICABLE to you write N/A on the question. ALL yes or no questions CANNOT be answered with a N/A.
4. Let’s proceed to the different forms that needs to be accomplished:
   • EXAMINATION PAYMENT FORM (page 7 of downloaded document)
     • Fill in all the necessary information such as LEGAL NAME (follow the order mentioned- Last, First, Middle & Maiden Name)
     • Place N/A on Social Security #, NM Nursing License # & Agency Name.
     • Check on the blank beside REGISTERED NURSES on the examination fees.
     • Check on the appropriate box on your mode of payment.
       • If you are going to pay via U.S. Money Order, Cashier’s Check or Demand Draft drawn on U.S. banks:
         • MAKE SURE it is payable to NEW MEXICO BOARD OF NURSING with the amount of $110.00.
         • Staple the copy of your chosen mode of payment from above in the said area in the application form.
       • If you will pay via Credit Card:
         • Check on the appropriate box if your card is Visa or MasterCard (you can usually see this on the lower right corner in the front of the credit card).
         • Write the Credit Card Number and Expiration Date of the credit card to be used for payment (these are located in the front part of the credit card).
         • Place the signature of the credit card holder. (Please take note that it was not specified in the instructions on whose signature is to be placed but since this is a payment form I assumed that the signature of the card holder would be placed since this is a transaction to his/ her card and this payment form will be used for reference in the payment of the said fees.)
   • EXAMINATION APPLICATION (page 8 of downloaded document)
     • Section 1 (Fees)
       • Check on the box that says $110 RN
       • This section is in relation to the EXAMINATION PAYMENT FORM we discussed above. The mentioned $110 fee here and the one above is one and the same.
     • Section 2 (Personal Information)
       • Fill in the necessary information ACCURATELY.
       • For the U.S. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER write N/A.
       • Be sure to use the same name and address on all documentation for this will be the basis for your application at PearsonVue and when you take the NCLEX-RN Examination.
     • Section 3 (Education)
       • Answer the questions asked correctly.
       • Please be reminded that aside from answering the questions regarding education provided in the form you are REQUIRED to order a Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) at CGFNS. To learn more about this click here. You can download the 2008 CES Application Handbook by clicking on the link provided. WITHOUT the CES your application form will NOT be processed.
       • Request for the Nursing or Health care profession and science course-by-course credentials and review. All fees for the said processing shall be shouldered by the applicant.
     • Section 4 (Request for Graduate Permit)
       • This is usually non applicable for international applicants so place N/A on the space provided.
     • Section 5 (Disciplinary)
       • Check on the appropriate boxes in response to the questions.
       • If you answered YES, to any of the questions please write a letter of explanation on a separate sheet and certified copies of legal documents.
     • Section 6 (Declaration of Primary State of Residence)
       • I am not so sure about this area since we do not necessarily have “states” here in the Philippines BUT if you based it on what is written in the form as a “Primary State of Residence” it was mentioned there that it was: “Primary state of residence” is defined as the state of a person’s declared fixed permanent and principal home for legal purposes. So probably, you can write what city and country you reside in.
       • Also state the state(s) where you intend to practice as indicated on the form.
     • Section 7 (Applicant’s Signature & Special Accomodations)
       • Sign with your Legal Signature and Date on the space provided.
       • If you have Special Accomodations needed for the exam contact the form for instructions and additional forms.
   • FINGERPRINTING FORM & INFORMATION (click on the link to download the form)
     • Requesting a Fingerprint Card:
       • You can request fingerprint cards by going to this link: Fingerprint Card Request. Fill in the necessary information and wait for the cards to arrive in the mail.
       • Once it arrives in the mail you are supposed to receive at least two (2) fingerprint cards since this is the amount of cards you need to submit to the board.
     • Answering the Fingerprint Card:
       • The following boxes on the fingerprint cards MUST be completed:
         • Signature of Person Being Fingerprinted
         • Name
         • AKA(if applicable)
         • Date of Birth
         • Citizenship
         • Sex
         • Race
         • Height
         • Weight
         • Eyes
         • Hair
         • Place of Birth
         • If these boxes are not completed, fingerprint cards will be sent back to the applicant and the application will not be processed.
     • Processing Fee for the Fingerprint Card & Background Check etc.
       • Has 3 modes of payments: Cashier’s Check , Money Order or Demand Draft (drawn on US Bank).
       • The amount is $40.25 payable to the NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
       • The $40.25 fee may NOT be combined with the licensure fee.
       • Other forms of Payment will not be accepted.
     • Do NOT forget to accomplish and print the FINGERPRINT FORM AND THE AUTHORIZATION FOR RELEASE OF INFORMATION FORM these can be found in the link mentioned above.

I hope the information placed here helped you guys in understanding the New Mexico Board of Nursing forms. To summarize things here are the things you need to submit to the board:

• Application and fee $110.00
• Two completed fingerprint cards
• One completed Fingerprint Certificate Form
• One notarized Authorization For Release of Information Form
• Background Check Processing Fee of $40.25

Mail your completed application to this address:

NEW MEXICO BOARD OF NURSING 6301 Indian School NE, Suite 710, Albuquerque, NM 87110

In addition to this, please do NOT forget to also request a CES evaluation from CGFNS since New Mexico Board of Nursing does NOT internally evaluate school records anymore. Without the CES evaluation your form will not be processed.

Also, do NOT leave any blanks on your forms write N/A if there are things that are non applicable to you.

Thank you very much for your support to PhilippineNursesInfo. I hope to see more of you here and feel free to leave comments.

Please be reminded that all information placed on these articles are opinions based on different forums, sites, experiences and knowledge. The intention of these articles is to be able to give guidance and idea to the readers. Later on, it will be the reader who will decided on whether or not to push through with the content of this article. In addition, end results vary from person to person and is a case to case basis.

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