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The average student in CNA classes in New Mexico probably does not know that they are about to enter a field that is growing more than almost all other New Mexico allied health jobs. See more about the growth, jobs and salary outlook below! The job is popular with people at the beginning of their careers in the medical field. One reason is due to the small amount of education it requires and another reason is because of how good it is for moving into other healthcare roles.

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How to become a CNA in New Mexico

If candidates for NM CNA classes follow the steps we lay out below they will be on their way to becoming a CNA in New Mexico.

Step 1 – Meet all Prerequisites for Your NM CNA Training Program

The requirements for entrance in to accredited CNA classes in New Mexico must be met before any candidate can begin their CNA training. We go in to detail about the prerequisites for training for you below.

Meet any age requirements from CNA programs or schools
Pass health exam
Pass fingerprinting background check (New Mexico Caregiver Criminal History)
Pass drug screen
Have immunizations (MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B and Tdap)
Have negative TB test (within 1 year)
Get annual flu shot
Meet any necessary requirements from your assigned clinical site
CPR certification if your chosen school does not include it in training program
Show that you have English proficiency
Proof of current health insurance

Step 2 – Take in a New Mexico approved CNA training program

All training for nurse aides in New Mexico are regulated by the (NHDH) New Mexico Department of Health. Completing a training program approved by the (NMDH) New Mexico Department of Health is necessary before you can test for a CNA certification in the state of New Mexico. The individual programs listed below are approved by the (NMDH) New Mexico Department of Health.

All Approved Certified Nursing Assistant Schools in New Mexico

CASA Arena Blanca Nursing Center
Alamogordo, NM 88310 (575) 434-4510

Albuquerque Job Corps Center
Albuquerque, NM 87104 505-346-2562

St. Theresa Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center
Albuquerque, NM 87110 (505) 296-5565

St. John Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center
Albuquerque, NM 87112 (505) 296-4808

Ladera Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Albuquerque, NM 87120 505-836-0023

Belen Meadows Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center
Belen, NM 87002 (505) 864-1600

Landsun Homes, INC
Carlsbad, NM 88220 (575) 887-2894

Carlsbad Medical Center
Carlsbad, NM 88220 (575) 887-4100

Clovis Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center
Clovis, NM 88101 (575) 762-3753

Sierra Health Care Center
Consequences, NM 87901 (575) 894-7855

New Mexico State Veteran’s Home
Consequences, NM 87901 (575) 894-4200

Mimbres Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home
Deming, NM 88030 (575) 546-5800

Life Care Center of Farmington
Farmington, NM 87401 (505) 326-1600

Lea Regional Medical Center
Hobbs, NM 88240 575-492-5000

New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM 88003 575-646-0111

Vida Encantada Nursing and Rehab
Las Vegas,New Mexico 87701 (505) 425-9362

Retirement Ranch
New Mexico 88101 (575) 762-4495

CASA Maria Health Care Center
Roswell, NM 88203 (575) 623-6008

Silver City Care Center
Silver City, NM 88061 (575) 388-3127

Taos Living Center
Taos,New Mexico 87571 (575) 758-2300

Mesalands Community College
Tucumcari, NM 88401 575-461-4413

Step 3 – Meet the training requirement for New Mexico

All NM CNA students have to make sure that they complete at least 75 hours in the classroom for them to become eligible to take and pass New Mexico CNA certification exam.

Step 4 – Pass the NM CNA certification test

The state certification test used in New Mexico for nurse assisting is the New Mexico CNA certification exam. The test consists of a written part and a clinical part. The examination is given by the national testing provider Prometric. The towns and cities in New Mexico where the assessment is usually administered are listed here. To determine when the next exam dates and times are at each location, please talk to the provider directly.

It is $100 for the full written examination combination or $110 for the full oral test combination.

Step 5 – Get yourself listed on the New Mexico Nurse Aide Registry

The New Mexico Department of Health manages the registry for certified nursing assistants in New Mexico. All aspiring nurse aides have to get their name in the registry to be able to work in New Mexico as a CNA. The registry is notified by Prometric immediately after you have passed the New Mexico CNA certification exam. It takes about two weeks for your name to get officially added to the registry in most cases.

New Mexico Nurse Aide Registry
2040 South Pacheco Street
Santa Fe, NM 87505
Phone: (505) 476-9040

CNA salary and jobs in New Mexico

Whe you see a 9% increase in New Mexico for new CNA job openings, you know the time is great to enter the industry. Get more details about what you can make as a CNA in New Mexico by looking over our table below.

LocationPay TypeLowMedianHigh
United StatesHourly$9.64$12.78$18.22
Yearly$20,040$26,590$37,900
New MexicoHourly$9.77$12.75$17.73
Yearly$20,310$26,520$36,890
Albuquerque, NMHourly$9.98$13.80$18.19
Yearly$20,750$28,710$37,830
North and West Central New MexicoHourly$9.70$12.91$18.64
Yearly$20,170$26,850$38,770
Santa Fe, NMHourly$10.14$12.27$16.64
Yearly$21,080$25,520$34,610
Farmington, NMHourly$9.96$12.24$19.16
Yearly$20,730$25,460$39,850
Southwestern New MexicoHourly$9.97$11.64$15.36
Yearly$20,730$24,220$31,940
Eastern New MexicoHourly$9.67$11.33$14.75
Yearly$20,120$23,570$30,680
Las Cruces, NMHourly$8.37$10.94$14.62
Yearly$17,420$22,760$30,410

Local New Mexico CNA Programs to Choose From