Physical Therapist Assistant Licensure in New Mexico
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Timeline 4-6 weeks
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Initial Costs $269
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Renewal Costs $120
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CE Requirements 30 Hours
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Compact No
How to apply
To secure your Travel Physical Therapist Assistant license in New Mexico, you'll be working with the New Mexico Physical Therapy Board. You will submit your application through the NM RLD Licensing Portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Get Your Documents Ready: Before logging in, make sure you have a digital copy of your current driver's license, a passport-style photo, and your social security number handy. You'll want to have these ready to upload to avoid timing out.
- Hit Submit on the Application: Head over to the NM RLD Licensing Portal to create an account and start your application. You will likely encounter the Jurisprudence Exam during this process (it's open-book!), so be prepared to answer questions based on the state's practice act.
- Wait for Background Check Instructions: Unlike some states where you do this first, New Mexico typically sends you specific instructions for the Department of Public Safety (DPS) background check after you successfully submit your initial application. Keep an eye on your email for these details.
- Request Official Transcripts: Contact your PTA program to have your official transcripts sent directly to the Board. These must come straight from the school—copies you send yourself won't be accepted.
- Transfer Your Scores: Log into your FSBPT account and request that your NPTE scores be transferred to New Mexico.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A recent 2x2 passport-style photo, your Driver's License, and your Social Security Number.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school) and NPTE Score Transfer (via FSBPT).
- Exams: You will need to pass the New Mexico Jurisprudence Exam, which is an open-book test covering the state's specific laws and rules. Passing score is usually 80%.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in New Mexico:
- Application Fee: $200
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $44 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $25
- Verifications: $0
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $269
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: New Mexico Physical Therapist Assistant renewal happens biennially and is due by February 1st.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $120.
Note: Watch out—renewals postmarked after the deadline incur a steep late fee that is higher than the cost of the renewal itself.
CE Requirements
30 Contact Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: January 31st (Even-numbered licenses renew in even years; odd-numbered licenses renew in odd years).
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist Assistant CEUs: you can complete all 30 hours online! New Mexico has no limit on home-study or distance learning courses.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be approved by the New Mexico Physical Therapy Board, the APTA (or its state chapters), or other state PT boards. General portals like MedBridge are widely accepted. Note: In New Mexico, 1 CEU is equivalent to 10 Contact Hours; ensure you calculate your total based on hours to avoid falling short.
Mandatory Topics
- Jurisprudence Exam (Required every renewal; this is an open-book exam on the New Mexico Physical Therapy Practice Act and Board Rules)
- No other specific mandatory topics—choose what interests you!
Excluded Topics: Courses covering business, office management, personal development, and CPR or basic first aid do not count toward your 30-hour requirement.
New Licensee Rule: If you have been licensed in New Mexico for less than 12 months before your first renewal date, the continuing education requirement is waived.
Reporting: New Mexico is an audit-based state. You do not need to submit your certificates during renewal, but you must maintain your records for at least 4 years in case you are selected for a random audit.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the NM Physical Therapy Board:
- Address: PO Box 25101 Sante Fe, NM 87505
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (505) 476-4880
- Fax: (505) 476-4595
- Email: Physical.therapy@rld.nm.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.
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How to Apply
To secure your Travel Physical Therapist Assistant license in New Mexico, you'll be working with the New Mexico Physical Therapy Board. You will submit your application through the NM RLD Licensing Portal. Before you start, I recommend initiating your background check and requesting your transcripts to get the ball rolling.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Get Your Documents Ready: Before logging in, make sure you have a digital copy of your current driver's license, a passport-style photo, and your social security number handy. You'll want to have these ready to upload to avoid timing out.
- Hit Submit on the Application: Head over to the NM RLD Licensing Portal to create an account and start your application. You will likely encounter the Jurisprudence Exam during this process (it's open-book!), so be prepared to answer questions based on the state's practice act.
- Wait for Background Check Instructions: Unlike some states where you do this first, New Mexico typically sends you specific instructions for the Department of Public Safety (DPS) background check after you successfully submit your initial application. Keep an eye on your email for these details.
- Request Official Transcripts: Contact your PTA program to have your official transcripts sent directly to the Board. These must come straight from the school—copies you send yourself won't be accepted.
- Transfer Your Scores: Log into your FSBPT account and request that your NPTE scores be transferred to New Mexico.
What You'll Need & Key Details
- Documents to Have Ready: A recent 2x2 passport-style photo, your Driver's License, and your Social Security Number.
- Items to Request: Official Transcripts (sent directly from your school) and NPTE Score Transfer (via FSBPT).
- Exams: You will need to pass the New Mexico Jurisprudence Exam, which is an open-book test covering the state's specific laws and rules. Passing score is usually 80%.
Initial Costs
Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to spend to get licensed in New Mexico:
- Application Fee: $200
- Background Check / Fingerprinting: $44 (approximate)
- Jurisprudence Exam: $25
- Verifications: $0
- Total Estimated Initial Cost: $269
Note: Fees are subject to change by the Board, but this gives you a solid estimate to plan your budget!
Renewals
When to Renew: New Mexico Physical Therapist Assistant renewal happens biennially and is due by February 1st.
Cost: The renewal fee is approximately $120.
Note: Watch out—renewals postmarked after the deadline incur a steep late fee that is higher than the cost of the renewal itself.
CE Requirements
30 Contact Hours required every 2 years.
Deadline: January 31st (Even-numbered licenses renew in even years; odd-numbered licenses renew in odd years).
Live vs. Online: Great news for Travel Physical Therapist Assistant CEUs: you can complete all 30 hours online! New Mexico has no limit on home-study or distance learning courses.
Provider Restrictions: Courses must be approved by the New Mexico Physical Therapy Board, the APTA (or its state chapters), or other state PT boards. General portals like MedBridge are widely accepted. Note: In New Mexico, 1 CEU is equivalent to 10 Contact Hours; ensure you calculate your total based on hours to avoid falling short.
Mandatory Topics
- Jurisprudence Exam (Required every renewal; this is an open-book exam on the New Mexico Physical Therapy Practice Act and Board Rules)
- No other specific mandatory topics—choose what interests you!
Excluded Topics: Courses covering business, office management, personal development, and CPR or basic first aid do not count toward your 30-hour requirement.
New Licensee Rule: If you have been licensed in New Mexico for less than 12 months before your first renewal date, the continuing education requirement is waived.
Reporting: New Mexico is an audit-based state. You do not need to submit your certificates during renewal, but you must maintain your records for at least 4 years in case you are selected for a random audit.
Board Information
Need to reach out with questions or send in documents? Here are the direct details for the NM Physical Therapy Board:
- Address: PO Box 25101 Sante Fe, NM 87505
- Website: Visit Board Website
- Phone: (505) 476-4880
- Fax: (505) 476-4595
- Email: Physical.therapy@rld.nm.gov
Ready to start? Click here to go directly to the Application Portal.