New Mexico Register / Volume XXXVII, Issue 3 / February 10, 2026

This is an amendment to 16.28.7 NMAC, Section 8 effective 2/10/2026.

16.28.7.8 APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

A. Applications for registration shall be completed [on a form provided by the board.] online.

B. The completed application shall include the following information:

(1) applicant’s full name;

(2) current mailing address;

(3) current electronic mail address, if any;

(4) date of birth;

(5) background check if required; and

(6) proof as described in subsection C below.

C. The applicant shall provide the following satisfactory evidence:

(1) applicant is currently licensed and in good standing in another jurisdiction, including a branch of the United States armed forces;

(2) the following documentation:

(a) a copy of military orders for military service members;

(b) a copy of military service member’s military orders and a copy of marriage license for spouses of military service members;

(c) for spouses of deceased military members: a copy of the decedent’s DD 214 and a copy of marriage license;

(d) for dependent children of military service members: a copy of military service member’s orders listing the dependent child, or a copy of military orders and one of the following: a copy of a birth certificate, military service member’s federal income tax return or other governmental or judicial documentation establishing dependency;

(e) for veterans (retired or separated): a copy of DD 214 showing proof of honorable discharge.

D. The license shall be issued by the board as soon as is practicable but no later than 30 days after a qualified military service member, spouse, dependent child, or veteran files a complete application and pays any required fees.

E. Military service members and veterans shall not pay, and the board shall not charge a licensing fee for the first three years for a license issued pursuant to this rule.

F. A license issued pursuant to this rule shall be valid for the time period that is specified in the Signed Language Interpreting Practices Act, Sections 61-34-1 to -17 NMSA 1978.

G. A license issued pursuant to this section shall not be renewed unless the license holder satisfies the requirements for renewal set forth in 16.28.7.11 NMAC , Section 61-34-10 NMSA 1978. As a courtesy, the board will send, via electronic mail, license renewal notifications to licensees or registrants before the license expiration date to the last known electronic mail address on file with the board. Failure to receive the renewal notification shall not relieve the licensee or registrant of the responsibility of timely renewal on or before the expiration date.

H. Electronic signatures will be acceptable for applications submitted pursuant to Sections 14-16-1 through -19 NMSA 1978.

[16.28.7.8 NMAC - N, 1/15/2014; A, 3/2/2022, A, 7/31//2023; A, 2/10/2026]