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The Health Care Authority’s mission is: We ensure that New Mexicans attain their highest level of health by providing whole-person, cost-effective, accessible, and high-quality health care and safety-net services.
Certified Nurse Aide Registry
IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION – PLEASE READ
Effective July 1st, the New Mexico Health Care Authority is in the process of transitioning from Prometric to a new vendor, Headmaster LLP.
EXTENDED GRACE PERIOD
The New Mexico Health Care Authority is extending a grace period for all nurse aide certifications that are set to lapse between June 30th through August 31st. These certifications will be considered active until September 30, 2024.
PLEASE NOTE: No further grace periods will not be authorized past September 30, 2024.
UPDATES
Please continue to review the New Mexico Certified Nurse Aide Registry website or the Headmaster LLP D&S – New Mexico Nurse Aide (hdmaster.com) website for updated details as they become available.
APPLICATIONS
Once the New Mexico Nurse Aide Testing Services is launched, all testing, renewal and reciprocity applications will be submitted online. Prometric will no longer accept any applications for processing.
Certified Nurse Aide Registry
This program maintains the New Mexico Nurse Aide Registry (NAR). Provides support for certified nurse aides (CNA) with assistance with trainings, reciprocities and questions about Headmaster LLP. Provides guidance to medical facilities regarding CNA training requirements and training programs. Provides approval and oversight for CNA training programs throughout the State of New Mexico.
Become a CNA
What is a CNA?
A certified nurse assistant is a certified healthcare paraprofessional that performs basic day-to-day tasks to support the entire medical team in properly caring for ill, injured, or disabled people. CNAs can be found wherever there is a need for personal patient care.
In some nursing facilities, CNAs may serve as patients’ primary caregivers. In this role, they are often expected to provide social and emotional support to their patients. CNAs’ work makes a difference every day in the lives of their patients.
How do you become a CNA?
A nursing assistant must complete a State-approved CNA training program. The program consists of a minimum of 75 clocked training hours, including theory and lab hours plus a clinical rotation. Upon successfully completing a training program, the candidate is eligible to schedule for the State competency evaluation.
The State competency evaluation is administered through Headmaster LLP. The evaluation consists of two tests, a knowledge test and a clinical skills test. The knowledge test may be taken as a written test or as an oral test and is offered in English and Spanish.
State-approved CNA Training Programs
There are multiple CNA training programs located throughout the State. School-based programs, provided by community colleges and universities. Mobile programs provide training to independent students and for facilities without their own training program. Facility-based programs will ensure on-the-job training.
Please reach out to each training program independently for specific pricing and scheduling questions.
Testing Applications
FIRST TIME TESTERS: The candidate must successfully complete a State-approved CNA training program in order to be eligible to schedule their first exam. The training program will add them to the registry.
All New Mexico Nurse Aide Testing applications are located online at the New Mexico TMU website: Account Applications Apply | NM TMU (tmutest.com).
- Reinstatement Waiver (lapsed Less Than 24 months)
- Reinstatement Waiver (lapsed More Than 24 months)
- Nursing Student Waiver
- Graduate Nurse Waiver
- Foreign Training Nurse Waiver
- Military Training Waiver
Headmaster LLP is contracted to develop and administer the New Mexico State Competency Evaluation and supports the New Mexico NATCEP by providing the following benefits.
- New Mexico Candidate Handbook
- Knowledge Exam Instructions
- Skill Test Instructions
- Remotely Proctored Knowledge Exam Instructions
- How-To Guides scheduling or rescheduling a testing event and renewing certifications
- ADA Accommodation Form
Paying Test Fees
The State of New Mexico will pay test fees for candidates who have been offered employment or are currently employed by a Medicaid certified nursing facility. In order for the State to pay the test fees, the employer must verify the candidate’s employment prior to submission.
If the candidate is not eligible for state payment, they must pay their own test fees by credit card on the NM TMU website.
Test Fee Rates
Test fees are paid separately for the knowledge and skills portions.
| Test Type | Fee |
| Clinical Skills Test | $100 |
| Written Test | $40 |
| Oral Test | $45 |
Search the Registry
The Welcome | NM TMU (tmutest.com) website serves as the primary source for verification of the credentials issued by the State of New Mexico and allows you only to check the NAR.
NOTE: You are not able to check criminal background, dependent adult abuse, child abuse, sex offenders, or professional licensing statuses from this site.
Verifications
A transfer of a CNA from New Mexico to another state may require a verification form. This form is provided by the State the CNA is transferring to, and it is used to verify the New Mexico certification. A CNA is responsible for acquiring the form from the other State.
Once the form is acquired, do the following:
- Fill out Section One, the top portion of the form with the individual’s information.
- Forward this form to our office via email, Registry@hca.nm.gov
The New Mexico CNA Coordinator will verify the certification in the New Mexico Nurse Aide Registry and will date and stamp the office New Mexico Health Care Authority Department seal. This form can only be sent to the requesting State.
The CNA must follow-up with the Nurse Aide Registry of the requesting state within 2-3 weeks.
Renewals
Renewals are only available 30-days prior to the certification expiration date. There is a 30-day grace period after the certification expiration date to submit the renewal request.
A CNA must access their profile in the New Mexico Nurse Aide Registry, using the NM TMU website, go to the Employment screen and select the employer, from the drop-down menu, for renewal. The CNA will be prompted to pay the renewal fee prior to submission.
Once the employer verifies employment, the CNA’s certification automatically reinstates for two years.
NOTE: The renewal fee is $25.00.
Reciprocity
Reciprocity grants dual certification. Each state’s certification is independent from the other. It is the CNA’s responsibility to maintain their certifications for each state.
The following documents are required for reciprocity (transfer) of a CNA from another state to New Mexico.
- Government-issued, photo identification or driver’s license
- Social Security Card
- Current Out-of-State Nurse Aide Certification
The individual must complete the Reciprocity Form Application on the New Mexico TMU Website: Account Applications Apply | NM TMU (tmutest.com).
There is no fee associated with requesting reciprocity in New Mexico.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For General Inquiries:
Email us at:
CNA.Registry@hca.nm.gov
Or call us at:
505-861-9680 Phone
505-841-6551 Fax
Mailing Address:
ATTN: Nurse Aide Registry
5300 Homestead Road NE
Suite 300-3114
Albuquerque, NM 87110
CNA Registry & Training Coordinator
Pamela Predika
505-221-8452
Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday
8:00am – 5:00pm