Compact status
Nurse Licensure Compact member
NM · Internationally educated nurses
New Mexico RN license requirements
A researched starting point for applying to New Mexico Board of Nursing, including education review, English rules, identification requirements, background checks, and the NCLEX sequence.
Credential evaluation
Course-by-course evaluation sent directly by Josef Silny & Associates, TruMerit/CGFNS, or Educational Records Evaluation Service (ERES).
English requirement
Show instruction and textbooks were in English, or pass an accepted test. Current page lists TOEFL 540; TOEFL iBT 84 overall/26 speaking; TOEIC 725; IELTS 6.5 overall/7 speaking. The page contains a dangling “59” reference, so confirm whether it relates to another test before relying on it.
SSN requirement
Not stated clearly on the reviewed RN international page; verify in the Nurse Portal.
Background check
Register with Idemia/IdentoGO for the New Mexico criminal background check and fingerprints.
Education review
The course-by-course report must show education meeting U.S. nursing education standards.
Application sequence
How to apply in New Mexico
- 1
Order the course-by-course evaluation.
- 2
Submit the online Initial Exam Application in the Nurse Portal.
- 3
Complete Idemia/IdentoGO fingerprints.
- 4
Register with Pearson VUE; the application is valid one year and ATT follows eligibility.
Documents to prepare
- Course-by-course evaluation
- English proof if applicable
- Fingerprint submission
- Official license verification if applicable
Verify before paying
- • International graduates may attempt NCLEX at most five times within three years of the initial New Mexico application.
- • A multistate license requires New Mexico primary residence.
- • Confirm the current English-score table because the rendered page has ambiguous punctuation/text.
Apply through the official board
This guide helps you compare requirements; it is not the application. Check the current instructions from New Mexico Board of Nursing before ordering reports or submitting documents.
Official sources reviewed
Research checked 2026-07-22. Requirements can change.
General educational information only. The state board is the authority on licensure eligibility; immigration authorization is a separate process.