New Mexico has a nurse aide certification path that is unique. The state currently follows federal guidelines set in place that requires a minimum amount of hours spent studying nurse aide basics while attending a CNA training in New Mexico program as well as passing a knowledge and skills demonstration evaluation. Following the passing of both the course and the evaluation, you will also need to be placed on the New Mexico Nurse Aide Registry prior to working in any type of extended  care center.

The CNA certification program you attend must be approved by the New Mexico Department of Health. The world of the certified nurse aide in New Mexico is one that can be very challenging and rewarding at the same time as it provides one with the opportunity to do what they love – care for other people.

Approved CNA training in New Mexico is found in many places including schools, hospitals, long term care facilities and medical offices. Some employers can provide the nurse aide training course as well. By Federal law, if your employer does offer the training, your CNA classes and evaluation exam can be completely paid for by the state.

At the completion of the CNA course, you will need to register to take the New Jersey exam which is administered by Prometric. You should start by contacting them via internet or phone and applying with your course credentials and proper identification along with fees of $95.00 to test. They will send you an authorization to test within a few days and let you know where and at what time. You must bring 2 valid forms of ID with you, and it is a good idea to get to the site early to calm your nerves and give you ample time to check in with testing administrators.

The first section of the two part exam that you will take is the clinincal skills portion, which will ask you to perform five nurse aide skills that you learned during your hands-on training. You need to get a minimum score of 80 percent to be allowed to take the written part of the test. The knowledge test is 2 hours long and contains multiple choice questions based on what you learned in your entire training prgrams.  Results are immediately calculated,and  if you pass both portions, Prometric will send your certification document in the mail. Your certification achievement will be listed on the New Mexico Nurse Aide Registry automatically, and you can begin work anytime you are ready.

For additional information regarding becoming a CNA or the verification process in New Mexico please contact:

New Mexico Nurse Aide Registry
New Mexico Department of Health
1421 Luisa Street, Suite R, Santa Fe, NM 87505
Phone: (505) 827-1453
Fax: (505) 827-1419