New Mexico Register / Volume XXXVII, Issue 12 / June 23, 2026

This is an amendment to 6.63.2 NMAC, Sections 8 and 10, effective June 23, 2026.

6.63.2.8 REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE:

A. The department will grant a level one school nurse license to persons who:

(1) hold an associate or baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited educational institution;

(2) hold a registered nurse license issued by the New Mexico board of nursing or an equivalent nurse license from a current nurse licensure compact state according to 61-3-24.1 NMSA 1978 or who have satisfied the reciprocal licensure requirements of Subsection D of Section 22-10A-12 NMSA 1978; and

(3) have been cleared by a background check.

B. The department will grant a level two school nurse license to persons who:

(1) hold a level one school nurse license and have served successfully as a school nurse at level one by satisfactorily demonstrating annual competency as described in Subsection A of 6.63.2.11 or have at least three years of combined registered nursing experience in New Mexico or a current nurse licensure compact state according to 61-3-24.1 NMSA 1978 or who have satisfied the reciprocal licensure requirements of Subsection D of Section 22-10A-12 NMSA 1978; and

(2) demonstrate essential competencies found in [Subsection B of] 6.63.2.11 NMAC verified by the local superintendent or charter school administrator [through the highly objective uniform statewide standard of evaluation found in Subsection C of 6.63.2.10 NMAC]; and

(3) have been cleared by a background check.

C. The department shall grant a level three school nurse license to persons who:

(1) have successfully served as a level two school nurse for at least three years in New Mexico or have at least three years of [equivalent school] combined registered nursing experience [licensed by a state belonging to the current nurse licensure compact] in New Mexico or a current nurse licensure compact state according to 61-3-24.1 NMSA 1978 or who have satisfied the reciprocal licensure requirements of Subsection D of Section 22-10A-12 NMSA 1978;

(2) hold a post-baccalaureate degree in nursing or a related field or be certified by the national board for certification of school nurses; and

(3) demonstrate essential [nursing leadership] competencies found in [Subsection C of] 6.63.2.11 NMAC verified by the local superintendent or charter school administrator [through the highly objective uniform statewide standard of evaluation found in Subsection C of 6.63.2.10 NMAC]; and

(4) have been cleared by a background check.

D. School nurse licenses shall not extend beyond their initial license period, which is three years for level one school nurses and nine years for level two and level three school nurses, unless the school nurse is unable to secure verification of the progress and competencies required to move to the next level or renew their current license due to [the following exigent circumstances:

(1)] the non-availability of the school district or charter school by which the school nurse has been most recently employed. [; or]

[(2) other circumstances deemed exigent by the department.]

E. When a registered nursing license expires prior to the termination of a school nurse license, the school nurse license expires as well.

[6.63.2.8 NMAC - Rp, 6.63.2.8 NMAC, 1/27/2026; A, 6/23/2026]

6.63.2.10 REFERENCE MATERIAL:

A. At the end of each year, a level one school nurse is required to be evaluated for competence by the nurse’s designated level two or three school nurse or other mentor and by the evaluator designated by the school district or charter school. If the level one school nurse fails to demonstrate satisfactory progress and competence in the evaluation, the level one school nurse may not qualify for a level [2] two license. [If the level one school nurse has not demonstrated satisfactory progress and competence by the end of the three-year period and is not experiencing an exigent circumstance listed in Subsection I of 6.63.2.8 NMAC, the level one school nurse shall not be granted a level two license, and may be terminated pursuant Section 22-10A-24 NMSA 1978.]

(1) If a level one school nurse’s school district or charter school employs a level three school nurse, the level one school nurse shall undergo a formal mentorship program for at least one full school year and an annual intensive performance evaluation by a level three school nurse.

(2) If the level one school nurse’s school district or charter school does not employ a level three school nurse, but does employ a level two school nurse, the level one school nurse shall undergo a formal mentorship program for at least one full school year and an annual intensive performance evaluation by a level two school nurse.

(3) If the level one school nurse’s school district or charter school does not employ a level three or level two school nurse, [the level one school nurse shall undergo a formal mentorship program, as appropriate and in compliance with the New Mexico Nursing Practice Act, for at least one full school year and an annual intensive performance evaluation by an alternative mentor and evaluator identified by the nurse’s school administrator.] the school district or charter school shall defer to the department of health for guidance.

B. Each school year, a level two or three school nurse shall be evaluated for essential competencies found in Subsection B of 6.63.2.11 NMAC [or essential leadership competencies found in Subsection C of 6.63.2.11 NMAC, respectively]. If a level two or three school nurse is found to not demonstrate competence in a given school year, the school district or charter school shall provide the school nurse with additional professional development and mentorship during the following school year. If, by the end of that school year, the level two or level three school nurse fails to demonstrate essential competency, a school district or charter school may choose not to contract with the school nurse.

C. [School district superintendents, charter school head administrators, or level three school nurses shall verify the nursing] Nursing competencies [listed] shall be verified as described in 6.63.2.11 NMAC. [for level one, or two through a highly objective statewide standard of evaluation form published by the department. Superintendents or charter school head administrators shall verify the nursing competencies listed in 6.63.2.11 NMAC for level three school nurses.]

[6.63.2.10 NMAC - Rp, 6.63.2.10 NMAC, 1/27/2026; A, 6/23/2026]