New Mexico Register / Volume XXXVII, Issue 21 / November 3,
2026
TITLE 10 PUBLIC
SAFETY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
CHAPTER 28 LAW
ENFORCEMENT STANDARDS AND TRAINING
PART 5 QUALIFICATIONS
FOR ADMISSION TO THE ACADEMY
10.28.5.1 ISSUING
AGENCY: New Mexico Law Enforcement
Standards and Training Council, 4491 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507
[10.28.5.1
NMAC - N, 11/3/2026]
10.28.5.2 SCOPE:
All law
enforcement agencies and any other entities that operate a police academy in
New Mexico. The scope of these rules also includes all training conducted by
the academy.
[10.28.5.2
NMAC - N, 11/3/2026]
10.28.5.3 STATUTORY
AUTHORITY: Paragraph 1 of Subsection E of Section
29-7-4 NMSA 1978
[10.28.5.3
NMAC - N, 11/3/2026]
10.28.5.4 DURATION:
Permanent
[10.28.5.4
NMAC - N, 11/3/2026]
10.28.5.5 EFFECTIVE
DATE: November 3, 2026, unless a later
date is cited at the end of a section.
[10.28.5.5
NMAC - N, 11/3/2026]
10.28.5.6 OBJECTIVE:
The purpose of Part 5 is to
establish qualifications for admission to the academy or a regional satellite
academy.
[10.28.5.6
NMAC - N, 11/3/2026]
10.28.5.7 DEFINITIONS: [Reserved]
[10.28.5.7
NMAC - N, 11/3/2026]
10.28.5.8 QUALIFICATIONS
FOR ADMISSION TO AN ACADEMY:
A. Qualifications
for police officer admission: Applicants may be rejected for admission to the
academy or a regional satellite academy if, after investigation, it is
determined that the applicant does not meet the following criteria:
(1) Is a citizen of the United States or has been authorized to
work by the United States
Citizenship
and Immigration Services, and has reached the age of majority;
(2) Holds a United States high school
diploma or its equivalent;
(3) Holds a valid driver’s license;
(4) Has not been convicted of or pleaded
guilty to or entered a plea of nolo contendere to any felony charge, or within
the three-year period immediately preceding their application, to any violation
of any federal law or state law or local ordinance relating to aggravated
assault, theft, driving while intoxicated, controlled substances or other crime
involving moral turpitude and has not been released or discharged under
dishonorable conditions from any of the armed forces of the United States;
(5) After examination by a licensed
physician, is free from any physical condition which
might
adversely affect their performance as police officers to prohibit them from
successfully completing the prescribed basic law enforcement training required
by the Law Enforcement Training Act;
(6) Is found, after examination by a
certified psychologist, to be free of any emotional,
cognitive,
or mental condition which might adversely affect their performance as police
officers or prohibit them from successfully completing prescribed basic law
enforcement training required by the Law Enforcement Training Act;
(7) Is of good moral character;
(8) Has met any other requirements for
certification prescribed by the board pursuant to regulations adopted by the board.
B. Status: For applicants to the
academy, the director shall apprise applicants of their status and any
deficiencies therein, in writing, as soon as possible. For applicants to a
regional satellite academy, the regional satellite academy director shall
inform applicants of their status and any deficiencies in writing as soon as
possible. An
applicant who disagrees with a decision regarding admission to the academy or a
regional satellite academy, for reasons other than failing to pass a medical or
psychological screening, may send a written request to the chair for
consideration as a Meeting Agenda Item.
C. The director or satellite academy director reserves
the right to dismiss an applicant who is not capable of participating in all
aspects of the basic law enforcement training program.
[10.28.5.8
NMAC - N, 11/3/2026]
10.28.5.9 FINGERPRINT CLEARANCE FOR ADMISSION:
A. All New Mexico police officer and public safety
telecommunicator applicants for certification must receive a fingerprint clearance from the Department
of Public Safety Technical and Emergency Support Division and the Federal
Bureau of Investigation.
(1) No applicant is allowed to be a certified police officer in New Mexico if the
applicant has
been
convicted of, pled
guilty to, or entered
a plea of nolo contendere to any felony
charge or, within the three-year period immediately preceding their application, to any violation of any federal or
state law or local ordinance relating to aggravated
assault, theft, driving while intoxicated, controlled substances, or
other crime involving moral turpitude, and has not been released or discharged under dishonorable
conditions from any of the armed forces of the United States, pursuant to
Section 29-7-6 NMSA 1978.
(2) No applicant
is allowed
to be a certified public safety telecommunicator in New Mexico
if the applicant has
been convicted of, pled guilty to, or entered
a plea of nolo contendere to any felony
charge or, within the three-year period immediately preceding their application, to any violation of any federal or
state law or local ordinance relating to aggravated
assault, theft, or other crime involving
moral turpitude, and has not been released or
discharged
under dishonorable conditions
from any of the armed forces of the United
States, pursuant to Section 29-7-6 NMSA 1978.
B. IDEMIA: Effective Monday, May 1, 2023,
IDEMIA is the new fingerprint-supported background check provider.
C. Applicant Registration/Appointment Scheduling: All applicants who require fingerprinting service must first register via the IDEMIA scheduling website by using the agency ORI, or applicant-type-specific ORI, and fingerprint reason. The website will collect all necessary
personal data and allow appointment scheduling at one of the IdentGO® centers throughout the State of New Mexico. The
link to the
website is:
https://www.nm.state.identgo.com .
D. Once registration is complete, the applicant will
receive a Service Summary detailing their appointment time and the items they
need to take to their appointment. For applicants who provide an e-mail address
as their method of contact,
this information is also e-mailed to the applicant at the personal
e-mail address provided during registration.
E. LEA-5 Form: Once fingerprinting is completed, a LEA-5 Form (Fingerprint Affidavit) will be completed and
submitted with the applicant's packet for
admission to an academy.
[10.28.5.9
NMAC - N, 11/3/2026]
10.28.5.10 BASIC
TRAINING; PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION:
A. Procedure:
(1) Prior to admission to training as a
law enforcement officer in the state of New Mexico, it shall be necessary for
each applicant to be examined by a licensed/certified psychologist who shall
certify the individual's emotional and mental condition on a form prescribed by
the director and entitled “mental examination certification”.
(2) Private firms that administer psychological examinations for
law enforcement officers shall be
acceptable if, however, a qualified representative as stated in Paragraph (1)
of Subsection A of 10.28.5.10 NMAC completes the appropriate form as prescribed
by the director.
(3) The applicant shall also prepare
and submit a form prescribed by the director and entitled “Psychological
Statement of Applicant”.
(4) False or incorrect statements in either form are grounds for
denial of admission to an academy.
(5) Evaluations cannot be more than one
year prior to the start date of the academy.
(6) The psychological evaluation/written
report will be required to be attached to the LEA-4 form.
(7) The applicant shall not hold the
privilege of obtaining the evaluation; evaluations are the property of the
referring agency and shall be held in the strictest confidence. A
self-sponsored applicant may hold the privilege of obtaining the evaluation;
however, the original report must still be sent directly to the academy upon
completion by the psychologist.
(8) If any information concerning
psychological screening/evaluation is provided to the director for admission to
the academy, the regional satellite academy director for admission to a
regional satellite academy, or the person evaluating the applicant's
suitability is found to be false or not truthful, the applicant may be refused
enrollment.
(9) Applicant's failure of psychological examination must be
reported to the academy within 30 days.
B. Screening process:
(1) Examiner standard: Pre-employment psychological testing
shall be conducted by a licensed/certified
psychologist. In the event that the psychologist lacks appropriate training in
this area, he/she should seek supervision in accordance with the American Psychological
Association's Ethical Standards and Code of Conduct.
(2) Overview of process: At a minimum, the pre-employment
psychological testing process shall consist of the following:
(a) psychological testing;
(b) face-to-face interview, either in
person or by virtual video, at the discretion of the examiner;
(c) written narrative report;
(d) completed New Mexico LEA-4 form;
and
(e) informed consent/release of
information form.
(3) Psychological testing: The
pre-employment psychological testing shall include, at a minimum, testing
across the following areas:
(a) a measure of reading ability such as
the Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT), the Nelson-Denny reading test, or other
comprehensive measure that yields a grade-level score;
(b) a measure of psychopathology, such as
the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory Second Revised Version
(MMPI-2), the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI), or the Millon-3; and
(c) a
measure of normal personality functioning, such as the 16PF, the LEADER, or the
Inwald personality inventory.
(4) Interview: The interview shall be conducted in-person by the
licensed/certified psychologist
in a face-to-face interview, either in person or by virtual video, at the
discretion of the examiner. At a minimum, the interview will cover the
following areas:
(a) a brief mental status exam;
(b) gather
or review a social history, to include relevant information regarding early
development, schooling, military service, job history, and potential problems or
issues, such as drug and alcohol use, driving, fighting, domestic violence, and
past critical life events;
(c) explore areas of judgment and
reliability, such as impulse control, communication, appropriate use of force, social
skills, common sense, and credit history; and
(d) any other aspects of personal
development (i.e., medical history) that the examiner deems important.
(5) Written report: The report shall
incorporate all information gathered in the interview and testing. Any
clinically significant elevations in test scores shall be discussed and their
impact upon job performance explored. The examiner should address the ability
of the candidate to perform the essential job functions, some of which may be
unique to the sponsoring agency. If the candidate is not recommended, the
report should enumerate which essential job functions he/she is incapable of
performing.
(6) All psychologists performing
pre-employment testing must conform to the guidelines of the American Psychological
Association regarding storage of records.
C. Rejection of applicant and subsequent
psychological evaluation within 12 months:
(1) In the event an applicant receives a psychological
rejection a subsequent or additional psychological evaluation may be obtained.
This evaluation must be requested within 30 days of the rejection.
(2) Any rejected applicant who does seek a second opinion may
reapply to a New Mexico
law
enforcement agency 12 months from the signature date of the rejection.
(3) It is the responsibility of the licensed psychologist
conducting the examination to inform the applicant of the basis for the
rejection.
D. Second
Opinion: If a psychological test is failed, a second
psychological opinion may be requested:
(1) The second opinion will be
rendered by a New Mexico licensed psychologist chosen by the applicant or
hiring agency.
(2) Psychologist will review all test
data and other information that was available to the initial psychologist
(i.e., background investigation and polygraph results).
(3) The second evaluation, at a minimum, will follow the
guidelines for pre-employment
evaluations as outlined by the academy. The psychologist may review the
original test data and will use, at a minimum, one additional testing
instrument for the second evaluation.
(4) Psychologist may request other information from the
applicant, the agency, or the academy prior to conducting the evaluation.
(5) The cost of this evaluation will
be borne by the agency or the applicant.
(6) If the applicant fails the second
evaluation, the applicant may reapply to a New Mexico law enforcement agency 12
months from the signature date of the second opinion.
(7) If the applicant passes the second
evaluation, the applicant's name will be removed from the list of failed
applicants, and the applicant will be eligible to enroll in an academy or
regional satellite academy.
[10.28.5.10
NMAC - N, 11/3/2026]
10.28.5.11 MEDICAL
SELECTION GUIDELINES:
A. Authority: An applicant to the academy or a regional satellite
academy must be examined by a licensed physician and be found to be free of any
physical condition that might adversely affect his/her performance as a police
officer or prohibit him/her from successfully completing a prescribed basic law
enforcement training course.
B. Guidelines:
(1) Eyes and vision.
(a) Visual acuity - distant vision; uncorrected distant vision should be better than, or equal to,
20/100 (Snellen) binocular, and correctable to better than, or equal to, 20/30
(Snellen) binocular; distant vision correctable to better than, or equal to,
20/30 (Snellen) binocular. Preferred means of correction are soft contact
lenses or shatterproof frames and lenses with headband.
(b) Visual acuity - near vision; near vision correctable to better than, or equal to, 20/40
(Snellen) binocular.
(c) Visual acuity - color vision; Correct reading of at least nine or more of the first 13 plates of
the Ishihara test (24 plate edition). Recourse testing is available by means of
the Farnsworth - Munsell 100-hue test.
(d)
Visual acuity -
depth perception; depth perception should be sufficient to demonstrate normal
stereo depth perception with or without correction to the standard: 100 ARC
seconds.
(e)
Visual acuity -
peripheral vision; Peripheral vision should be normal and not negatively impact
a candidate's ability to perform essential tasks.
(f) Glaucoma - if the
candidate meets visual acuity guidelines following treatment, then the
condition is non-disqualifying.
(g) Strabismus - if the
candidate meets visual acuity guidelines following surgery, then the condition
is non-disqualifying.
(h) Cataracts, current - if
the candidate meets visual acuity guidelines following treatment, the condition
is non-disqualifying.
(i) Proliferative
retinopathy - if the candidate meets visual acuity guidelines following
treatment, the condition is non-disqualifying.
(j) Nystagmus or other
extra-ocular movement - if the candidate meets visual acuity guidelines, then
the condition is non-disqualifying.
(k) Monocular vision.
(l) Blindness, including
night-blindness.
(m)
Retinal detachment - if the candidate
meets visual acuity guidelines following treatment, then the condition is
non-disqualifying.
(n) Chronic keratitis - if
the candidate meets visual acuity guidelines following treatment, then the
condition is non-disqualifying.
(o) Optic neuritis - if the
candidate meets visual acuity guidelines following treatment, then the
condition is non-disqualifying.
(2) Ears and hearing.
(a)
Hearing acuity -
the average hearing level (HL) at the
test frequencies, 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz will not exceed 25dB in either ear, and no single hearing level will exceed 30 dB at any of
these test frequencies in either ear. Hearing loss at 3000 Hz will not exceed
40 dB HL in either ear. Recourse testing of speech discrimination ability using
phonetically balanced word lists in the presence of noise is available.
(b) Acute otitis media,
otitis externa, and mastoiditis - if the candidate meets hearing acuity
guidelines and the condition is under treatment, then the condition is
non-disqualifying.
(c)
Any
inner/middle/outer ear disorder affecting equilibrium - if the candidate has
historically had episodes of vertigo, he or she may require further evaluation.
(3) Nose,
throat, and mouth - the conditions which follow are not meant to be exclusive.
If the examining physician feels (an) other unstated condition(s) may adversely
impact the ability of the candidate to perform the essential tasks of the job,
it (they) should be noted for further evaluation.
(a) loss of sense of smell;
(b) aphonia, speech loss or speech defects; or
(c) deformities interfering
with the proper fitting of a gas mask.
(4) Peripheral
vascular system - the conditions which follow are not meant to be exclusive. If
the examining physician feels (an) other unstated condition(s) may adversely
impact the ability of the candidate to perform the essential tasks of the job,
it (they) should be noted for further evaluation.
(a) Hypertension - resting
blood pressure should be less than, or equal to, 140 mmHg systolic and 90mmHg
diastolic on three successive readings. (If the candidate has controlled
hypertension and is on medication with side effect profiles which do not
interfere with performance of essential tasks then the condition may not be
disqualifying.)
(b) Varicose veins - if the
condition is serious enough to affect the candidate's ability to perform
essential tasks, it should be noted.
(c) Venous insufficiency -
if the condition is serious enough to affect the candidate's ability to perform
essential tasks, it should be noted.
(d) Peripheral vascular
diseases - if the condition is serious enough to affect the candidate's ability
to perform essential tasks, it should be noted.
(e) Thrombophlebitis - if the condition is serious enough to
affect the candidate's ability to perform essential tasks, it should be noted.
(5) Heart
and cardiovascular system - the conditions which follow are not meant to be
exclusive. If the examining physician feels (an) other unstated condition(s)
may adversely impact the ability of the candidate to perform the essential
tasks of the job, it (they) should be noted for further evaluation.
(a)
Congenital heart
disease - if the candidate's functional work capacity is unimpaired, then the
condition is non-disqualifying.
(b) Valvular heart disease
- if the candidate's functional work capacity is unimpaired, then the condition
is non-disqualifying.
(c)
Coronary artery
disease.
(d) ECG abnormalities (if associated with organic heart disease) including,
but not limited to:
(i) Wolff-Parkinson-White
(WPW) syndrome.
(ii) ST depression.
(iii) right or left bundle
branch blocks.
(iv)
3 degree A-V
block.
(v) Mobitz type ii A-V
blocks.
(vi) Sinoatrial block or
sick sinus syndrome.
(vii) Ventricular
extrasystoles (frequent - 20/minute with
exercise, 10/minute without exercise).
(viii) Ventricular
tachycardia.
(ix) Atrial fibrillation or
flutter.
(x) Symptomatic
supraventricular tachycardia.
(e) Angina.
(f) Congestive heart
failure.
(g) Cardiomyopathy.
(h) Active pericarditis,
endocarditis, and myocarditis.
(6) Respiratory
system - The conditions which follow are not meant to be exclusive. If the
examining physician feels (an) other unstated condition(s) may adversely impact
the ability of the candidate to perform the essential tasks of the job, it
(they) should be noted for further evaluation.
(a) Active pulmonary
tuberculosis
(b) Chronic bronchitis.
(c) Active asthma - if
satisfactorily treated, the condition is not disqualifying.
(d) Chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease.
(e) Bronchiectasis and
pneumothorax.
(f) Pneumonectomy.
(g)
Acute/chronic
mycotic diseases - Including, but not limited to, coccidiodomycosis
and histoplasmosis.
(7) Gastrointestinal
system - The conditions which follow are not meant to be exclusive. If the
examining physician feels (an) other unstated condition(s) may adversely impact
the ability of the candidate to perform the essential tasks of the job, it
(they) should be noted for further evaluation.
(a) Colitis - Including,
but not limited to, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel
syndrome (symptomatic or needing medication), bacterial colitis. If
satisfactorily treated, the condition is not disqualifying.
(b)
Esophageal
disorders - including, but not limited to, esophageal stricture, lower
esophageal ring and esophageal spasm. If the candidate's condition is
controlled, then the condition is non-disqualifying.
(c) Hemorrhoids - If the
candidate's condition is controlled, then the condition is non-disqualifying.
(d) Pancreatitis.
(e) Gall bladder disorders.
(f) Active peptic ulcer
disease.
(g) Symptomatic inguinal,
umbilical, ventral, femoral, or incisional hernias.
(h)
Malignant disease
of the liver, gall bladder, pancreas, esophagus, stomach, small or large bowel,
rectum or anus.
(i) Gastrointestinal
bleeding - If the condition is satisfactorily treated, then it is not
disqualifying.
(j) Active or chronic
hepatitis.
(k) Cirrhosis of the liver.
(8) Genitourinary
system - The conditions which follow are not meant to be exclusive. If the
examining physician feels (an) other unstated condition(s) may adversely impact
the ability of the candidate to perform the essential tasks of the job, it
(they) should be noted for further evaluation. People with communicable
diseases must be evaluated relevant to their ability to train for and perform
essential tasks without posing a direct threat to the health and safety of
themselves and others.
(a) Pregnancy - qualification of the candidate is
dependent upon the stage of the pregnancy.
(b)
Nephrectomy - If a candidate possesses this
condition with normal renal functions, then the condition is non-disqualifying.
(c) Acute nephritis.
(d) Nephrotic syndrome.
(e) Acute renal/urinary
calculi.
(f) Renal transplant.
(g) Renal failure.
(h) Hydrocele and
varicocele (symptomatic).
(i) Malignant
diseases of bladder, kidney, ureter, cervix, ovaries, breasts, prostate, etc.
(j) Active venereal
diseases.
(k) Urinary tract
infection.
(l) Polycystic kidney
disease.
(m) Pelvic inflammatory
disorders.
(n) Cervicitis.
(o) Endometriosis.
(p) Bartholin gland
abscess.
(q) Vaginitis.
(r) Inflammatory disorders
- including, but not limited to, prostatitis, orchitis, and epididymitis.
(s) Presence of illicit
drugs.
(9) Endocrine
and metabolic systems - The conditions which follow are not meant to be
exclusive. If the examining physician feels (an) other unstated condition(s)
may adversely impact the ability of the candidate to perform the essential
tasks of the job, it (they) should be noted for further evaluation.
(a) Untreated thyroid
disease.
(b) Diabetes mellitus.
(c) Adrenal dysfunction -
including, but not limited to, Addison's disease and Cushing's disease.
(d) Hypoglycemia.
(e) Pituitary dysfunction.
(f) Thyroid tumor.
(10)
Skin and collagen
diseases - The conditions which follow are not meant to be exclusive. If the
examining physician feels (an) other unstated condition(s) may adversely impact
the ability of the candidate to perform the essential tasks of the job, it (they)
should be noted for further evaluation.
(a) Serious dermatological
disorders.
(b) Lupus erythematosus.
(c) Contact allergies (of a
serious or relevant nature).
(11)
Musculoskeletal
system - The conditions which follow are not meant to be exclusive. If the
examining physician feels (an) other unstated condition(s) may adversely impact
the ability of the candidate to perform the essential tasks of the job, it
(they) should be noted for further evaluation.
(a) Disorders that limit
motor performance.
(b) Cervical spine or
lumbosacral fusion.
(c) Degenerative cervical
or lumbar disc disease (if symptomatic).
(d) Extremity amputation.
(e) Osteomyelitis.
(f) Loss in motor ability
from tendon or nerve injury/surgery.
(g) Arthritis - if a
candidate possesses this condition with no functional impairment, then the
condition is non-disqualifying.
(h) Joint conditions
- any condition which negatively impacts the ability of the candidate to
perform essential tasks should be noted for further evaluation.
(i) Coordinated
balance.
(j) Herniated disc
(symptomatic).
(k) Spinal deviations.
(l) Fracture deformities
(symptomatic).
(12)
Hematopoietic and
lymphatic systems - The conditions which follow are not meant to be exclusive.
If the examining physician feels (an) other unstated condition(s) may adversely
impact the ability of the candidate to perform the essential tasks of the job,
it (they) should be noted for further evaluation.
(a) Anemia (all).
(b) Polycythemia.
(c) Sickle cell trait -
sickle cell trait is a non-disqualifying condition.
(d) Sickle cell disease.
(e) Hematopoietic disorders
(including malignancies).
(f) Hemophilia.
(13)
Nervous system -
The conditions which follow are not meant to be exclusive. If the examining
physician feels (an) other unstated condition(s) may adversely impact the
ability of the candidate to perform the essential tasks of the job, it (they)
should be noted for further evaluation.
(a) Epilepsy.
(b) Cerebral palsy.
(c) Movement disorders.
(d) Cerebral aneurysms.
(e) Syncope.
(f) Progressive
neurological diseases - including, but not limited to, multiple sclerosis and
Huntington's chorea.
(g) Peripheral nerve
disorder - including, but not limited to, polyneuritis, mononeuritis and
neurofibromatosis.
(h) Narcolepsy.
(i) Cerebral
vascular accident.
(j) Central nervous system
infections.
[10.28.5.11
NMAC - N, 11/3/2026]
History of 10.28.5 NMAC:
[RESERVED]