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 7 INSTRUCTOR
CREDENTIALING
10.28.7.1 ISSUING
AGENCY: New Mexico Law Enforcement Standards and
Training Council, 4491 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507
[10.28.7.1
NMAC - N, 11/3/2026]
10.28.7.2 SCOPE:
All law enforcement agencies in the
state of New Mexico, the academy, regional satellite academies, and any person
conducting law enforcement or public safety telecommunicator training in New
Mexico.
[10.28.7.2
NMAC - N, 11/3/2026]
10.28.7.3 STATUTORY
AUTHORITY: Paragraph 1 of subsection E of
Section 29-7-4 NMSA 1978
[10.28.7.3
NMAC - N, 11/3/2026]
10.28.7.4 DURATION:
Permanent
[10.28.7.4
NMAC - N, 11/3/2026]
10.28.7.5 EFFECTIVE
DATE: November 3, 2026, unless a later
date is cited at the end of a section.
[10.28.7.5
NMAC - N, 11/3/2026]
10.28.7.6 OBJECTIVE: The purpose of
part 7 is to regulate the credentialing of instructors and professional
lecturers who intend to teach law enforcement and public safety
telecommunicators. Part 7 also includes requirements for advanced police
certification beyond state certification.
[10.28.7.6
NMAC - N, 11/3/2026]
10.28.7.7 DEFINITIONS: [Reserved]
[10.28.7.7
NMAC - N, 11/3/2026]
10.28.7.8 GENERAL
INSTRUCTOR:
A. A general instructor may teach all topics in a basic law
enforcement training program, certification by waiver program, or standard
in-service curriculum, except for emergency vehicle operations, use of force,
mechanics of arrest and control, DWI/SFST, and firearms.
B. A general instructor may assist
specialized instructors who teach high-risk or technical topics, as long as
they are working under the supervision and guidance of that specialized
instructor.
C. An instructor who teaches at least one class in a required
in-service topic, or a basic law enforcement training program class that covers
a required in-service topic, meets the annual or biennium requirement for
attending an in-service class in that topic.
D. To qualify for a general instructor credential,
an applicant shall complete the instructor credential application and
satisfactorily demonstrate to the director a combination of education and
experience in criminal justice, as well as proficiency in the instructional
process, and meet the following requirements:
(1) Applicants for general instructor
must have acquired two years of job-related experience, calculated from the
time of certification. Other employees within the criminal justice system who
do not fall into the law enforcement or public safety telecommunicator
categories must have three years of job-related experience, calculated from the
time of hire. The two-year requirement may be waived by the director only upon
written request with supporting documentation from the applicant, the agency
head, or designee that attests to the applicant’s training and experience being
comparable to that of someone who has two years of experience in the intended
area of instruction.
(2) Completion of an accredited instructor development course of
at least 40 hours, or equivalent training as approved by the council.
E. Qualified applicants for a general instructor
designation will be issued a credential for a period of four years.
F. A course evaluation will be completed by the students
for each class.
G. All instructor credentials will require successful
completion of an accredited instructor development refresher class of eight hours
or more prior to the instructor applying to renew their instructor credential.
An instructor with an expired instructor credential shall take an accredited
instructor development refresher course to renew an instructor credential.
(1) To renew a general instructor
credential, the applicant shall provide a written explanation demonstrating how
they have maintained current knowledge in law enforcement or public safety telecommunications
during the preceding four years. The explanation shall include any of the
following: actively teaching law enforcement topics or public safety
telecommunicator topics; continued employment or practice in the field;
attending training related to law enforcement or public safety telecommunications;
or engaging in current research related to law enforcement or public safety telecommunications.
(2) A master instructor or senior master instructor in
Instructor Development who teaches either Instructor Development or the
Instructor Development Refresher, at least once during the four-year credential
period does not need to attend an instructor development refresher course. To renew a credential, the applicant
shall provide a written explanation demonstrating how they have maintained
current knowledge in law enforcement or public safety telecommunications during
the preceding four years. The explanation shall include any of the following:
actively teaching law enforcement topics or public safety telecommunicator
topics; continued employment or practice in the field; attending training
related to law enforcement or public safety
telecommunications; or engaging in current research
related to law enforcement or public safety telecommunications.
(3) The master instructor or senior master instructor must be
able to produce a roster and course evaluation(s) that show either teaching
Instructor Development or Instructor Development Refresher at least once during
the four-year credential period to avoid the requirement of attending the
instructor development refresher class.
H. All instructor
credential applications must be submitted to the academy no less than 30 days
before the anticipated start of a class. Applications may be submitted by
email, by registered mail with a return receipt, or by some other means that
documents when the packet was sent to the academy.
(1) If the academy denies the
application, the academy shall communicate the reason in writing to the
individual who submitted the application.
(2) The academy has 30 days to issue or deny a credential.
(3) If the academy has not issued a
credential or provided a written denial within the 30-day period, the class may
still be taught with the instructor's credential being awarded retroactively to
the date of submission, if the class is taught 30 days or more after the
submission date.
(4) If the academy denies a credential
application for a course that has been taught at or beyond the 30-day
submission date, the instructor shall communicate in writing with each of the
students that the instructor's credential has been denied within five business
days of the class being denied.
(5) If the academy denies an
instructor credential, and the instructor corrects the identified
deficiencies, the credential shall be awarded retroactively
to the date of submission.
I. Any disagreement with an academy
decision regarding an instructor credential may be
sent to the chair of the council as a request for
consideration as a meeting agenda item.
[10.28.7.8
NMAC - N, 11/3/2026]
10.28.7.9 PROFESSIONAL
LECTURER:
A. The director may give someone a credential as a professional
lecturer in their formally recognized profession (e.g., medicine, law,
psychology) who, by virtue of formal academic graduate degrees or professional
experience, has developed special expertise in a subject area material to the
presentation of criminal justice training or educational programs. To be
eligible for a credential, an applicant shall:
(1) Be properly licensed or certified by
a legally recognized state or national licensing body for the designated
profession to actively engage in the designated profession or have retired in
good standing. This requirement may be waived by the director upon written
request if a license or certification does not exist for that profession;
(2) Have acquired a minimum of one
year of practical experience in the designated profession and area of
expertise; and
(3) Provide the following to the director for consideration:
(a) specify the professional subject
area and training courses in which credential is requested.
(b) describe how both the applicant’s
academic and professional experience apply to the subject area and training
courses for which the credential is requested.
B. Professional lecturer designation will be issued for a
period of four years.
(1) A professional lecturer does not
need to attend an academy-accredited instructor development class or instructor
development refresher class to receive or renew a Professional Lecturer
credential.
(2) To renew a professional lecturer
credential, the applicant shall provide a written explanation demonstrating how
they have maintained current knowledge of the topic they teach over the
preceding four years. The explanation shall include any of the following:
actively teaching the topic; continued employment or practice in a field
related to the topic; attending training related to the field related to the
topic; or engaging in current research within the field related to the topic.
C. A retired law enforcement officer or a retired public safety
telecommunicator may choose to apply to be a professional lecturer instead of a
credentialed instructor, provided that the officer or public safety
telecommunicator meets the requirements to be a professional lecturer, and
their certification is not currently suspended or revoked by the board.
D. A course evaluation will be completed by the students
for each class.
E. All professional lecturer credential applications must
be submitted to the academy no less than 30 days before the anticipated start
of a class. Applications may be submitted by email, by registered mail with a
return receipt, or by some other means that documents when the packet was sent
to the academy.
(1) If the academy denies the
application, the academy shall communicate the reason in writing to the
individual who submitted the application.
(2) The
academy has 30 days to issue or deny issuance of a credential.
(3) If
the academy has not issued a credential or provided a written denial within the
30-day period, the class may still be
taught with the professional lecturer's credential being awarded retroactively
to the date of submission, if the class is taught 30 days or more after the
submission date.
(4) If the academy denies a credential
application for a course that has been taught at or beyond the 30-day submission date, the professional lecturer
shall communicate in writing with each of the students that the professional
lecturer's credential has been denied within five business days.
(5) If the academy denies a credential,
and the professional lecturer corrects the identified deficiencies, the
credential shall be awarded retroactively to the date of submission.
F. Any disagreement with an academy
decision regarding a credential may be sent to the chair of the council as a
request for consideration as a meeting agenda item.
[10.28.7.9
NMAC - N, 11/3/2026]
10.28.7.10 RECOGNIZED
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY EDUCATORS:
A. The director or satellite academy
director may utilize an adjunct, assistant professor, associate professor, or
professor who is employed at a New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED)
recognized college or university.
B. This type of educator is defined as someone who has a
master’s degree or higher level of education and is employed by the institution
to teach at the college level.
C. This type of educator may instruct any general
instructor topic or specialized technical topics for which the educator has the
training and experience to teach.
D. This classification of educator
shall be recognized by the academy as holding a teaching credential equivalent
to that of a credentialed instructor or professional lecturer, without the
requirement to apply for a teaching credential.
E. The director and satellite academy directors shall follow
reporting guidelines for these educators as outlined in 10.28.4.10 NMAC (Program
Reporting) and 10.28.4.11 NMAC (Program Completion), consistent with procedures
for reporting the use of credentialed instructors and professional lecturers.
[10.28.7.10
NMAC - N, 11/3/2026]
10.28.7.11 SPECIALIZED
LAW ENFORCEMENT INSTRUCTOR:
A. To qualify for a specialized law
enforcement instructor credential, an applicant shall be required to
demonstrate to the director proof of skills, successful experience, and
training in the related field for which they will be providing instruction, and
must meet the following requirements:
(1) completion of a 40-hour instructor
development course and possess the credential as a General Instructor.
(2) minimum of two years of experience
working in the area of specialization.
(3) Certificates of training in the specialized area may also be
provided to the director for consideration as a substitute for the two-year
minimum work experience requirement in the specialized field.
B. Instructors attending and completing a national
highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) driving while intoxicated and
standardized field sobriety testing (DWI/SFST), or drug recognition expert
(DRE) instructor course with the approval of the contract oversight committee
of the department of transportation will not be required to attend and complete
a 40 hour instructor training/development course, but may receive a limited
instructor credential to teach only national highway traffic safety administration
(NHTSA) approved courses in driving while intoxicated (DWI), standardized field
sobriety testing (SFST) or drug recognition expert (DRE) courses and shall not
permit the instructor to teach any other topics of instruction without
completing a 40 hour general instructor training/development course.
C. Applicants for credential who have federal training or
certifications, or who have training or hold credentials from another state
that meets or exceeds the minimum instructor requirements for the state of New
Mexico, may be considered by the director upon written request for specialized
instructor status upon successful proof of skills and equivalency standards set
forth in this section.
D. Qualified applicants for a specialized law enforcement
instructor designation will be issued a credential for a period of four years.
E. A course evaluation will be completed by the students
for each class.
F. The council shall have the
authority to determine which topics are specialized beyond the basic academy
curriculum that is common to all New Mexico law enforcement and public safety
telecommunicator academies, as well as topics that are high-risk and technical
specializations.
G. High-Risk and Technical
Specialization Subject Areas: The following list is a guide to help an
applicant determine whether a specialized credential is required. This list is
not all-inclusive:
(1) High risk: use of force;
explosives; crisis intervention and negotiations; emergency vehicle operations;
motorcycle operations; S.W.A.T. related topics; Mechanics of Arrest, Restraint,
& Control (MARC); and firearms.
(2) Technical: accident reconstruction,
crime scene reconstruction, hazardous materials, drone operations, Intoxilyzer,
National Crime Information Center (NCIC).
H. Successful completion of an instructor development refresher
class of at least eight hours shall serve as both a general instructor and a specialized
instructor refresher when the instructor applies to renew their general and
specialized instructor credentials, unless the Standards and Training Council
determines that a particular specialized instructor credential requires a
specific refresher course to renew that credential.
(1) To renew a specialized instructor,
master instructor, or senior master instructor credential in that specialized
area, the applicant shall provide a written explanation demonstrating how they
have maintained current knowledge in that specialized topic during the
preceding four (4) years. The explanation shall include any of the following:
actively teaching the specialized topic, continued employment or practice in a
field related to the specialized topic, attending training related to the
specialized topic, or engaging in current research on the specialized topic.
(2) A specialized instructor update
class fulfills the requirement for renewal of a specialized instructor credential.
I. Renewal of a firearms
instructor, MARC instructor, or use of force instructor credential shall
require successful completion of an accredited specialized instructor update
class in that high-risk specialty every four years. The content of the update
shall include, at a minimum, any new rules, laws, tactics, techniques, and
procedures taught in the academy, ensuring continuity between academy and
post-academy training.
(1) A master instructor or senior
master instructor in the high-risk topics that require an update, who teaches
that high-risk topic, or the update for that high-risk topic, at least once during
the four-year credential period, does not need to attend an update class for
that same high-risk topic.
(2) The master instructor or senior
master instructor must be able to produce a roster and course evaluation(s)
that show either teaching the high-risk topic or the high-risk topic update at
least once during the four-year credential period to avoid the
requirement of attending an update in that particular high-risk topic.
J. All
specialized instructor credential applications must be submitted to the academy
no less than 30 days before the anticipated start of a class. Applications may
be submitted by email, by registered mail with a return receipt, or by some
other means that documents when the packet was sent to the academy.
(1) If the academy denies the
application, the academy shall communicate the reason in writing to the
individual who submitted the application.
(2) The academy has 30
days to issue or deny issuance of a credential.
(3) If
the academy has not issued a credential or provided a written denial within the
30-day period, the class may still be
taught with the instructor's credential being awarded retroactively to the date
of submission, if the class is taught 30 days or more after the submission
date.
(4) If the academy denies a credential
application for a course that has been taught at or beyond the 30-day submission date, the instructor shall
communicate in writing with each of the students that the instructor's
credential has been denied within five business days.
(5) If the academy denies an instructor
credential, and the instructor corrects the identified deficiencies, the credential shall be awarded retroactively
to the date of submission.
K. Any disagreement with an academy decision regarding an
instructor credential may be sent to the chair of the council as a request for
consideration of a meeting agenda item.
[10.28.7.11
NMAC - N, 11/3/2026]
10.28.7.12 MASTER
INSTRUCTOR:
A. To qualify for a master instructor credential, an applicant
shall be required to demonstrate to the director proof of skills, successful
experience, and training in the related field for which they will be training
new instructors, and must meet the requirements in either subsection one or two:
(1) Complete a minimum of two years as
a credentialed general instructor, specialized instructor, or professional
lecturer in the same subject area as the request for master instructor
credential; and must show rosters and student evaluations from at least five
training classes as an instructor in the same subject area; and complete an
instructor-trainer course, train-the-trainer course or master instructor course
(or what other term is used to describe a course that qualifies a person to
train instructors) in the same subject area for which the credential is
requested; or,
(2) Complete at least one four-year
period as a credentialed instructor in the particular subject area; and attend
additional advanced training courses in the same subject area for at least half
the number of hours as the original instructor-level credential course; and
must show rosters and student evaluations from at least 10 training classes as
an instructor in the same subject area. Attending refresher training classes in
these subject areas does not count as additional advanced training hours that
can be counted toward a master instructor credential.
(3) To renew a credential, the
applicant shall provide a written explanation demonstrating how they have
maintained current knowledge in law enforcement or public safety telecommunications
during the preceding four years. The explanation shall include any of the
following: actively teaching law enforcement topics or public safety
telecommunicator topics; continued employment or practice in the field;
attending training related to law enforcement or public safety telecommunications;
or engaging in current research related to law enforcement or public safety telecommunications.
B. If specific rosters and course evaluations are not available
for individual classes taught within the basic law enforcement training program
at the academy, a regional satellite academy, or any certification-by-waiver
program, the director or regional satellite academy director responsible for
that academy or certification-by-waiver program may provide a letter attesting
to the instructor’s involvement in teaching the class. In that letter, the
director or regional satellite academy director must cite the specific class
that the instructor taught or helped to teach, the date(s) of the class, and any positive or negative feedback
received from students about that instructor.
C. A master instructor may provide instruction at any level
within their credentialed subject area, including basic or academy‑level
training, advanced or in-service training, and instructor‑level courses.
D. A course evaluation will be completed
by the students for each class.
E. All master instructor credential
applications must be submitted to the academy no less than 30 days before the
anticipated start of a class. Applications may be submitted by email, by
registered mail with a return receipt, or by some other means that documents
when the packet was sent to the academy.
(1) If the academy denies the application,
the academy shall communicate the reason in
writing to the individual who submitted the
application.
(2) The academy has 30 days to issue
or deny issuance of a credential.
(3) If the academy has not issued a
credential or provided a written denial within the 30-day period, the class may still be taught with the instructor's
credential being awarded retroactively to the date of submission, if the class
is taught 30 days or more after the submission date.
(4) If the academy denies a credential
application for a course that has been taught at or beyond the 30-day submission date, the instructor shall
communicate in writing with each of the students that the instructor's
credential has been denied within five business days.
(5) If the academy denies an instructor
credential, and the instructor corrects the identified deficiencies, the credential shall be awarded retroactively
to the date of submission.
F. Any disagreement with an academy
decision regarding an instructor credential may be sent to the chair of the council
as a request for consideration as a meeting agenda item.
[10.28.7.12
NMAC - N, 11/3/2026]
10.28.7.13 SENIOR
MASTER INSTRUCTOR: To qualify
for a senior master instructor credential, an applicant shall be required to demonstrate to the
director proof of skills, successful experience, and training in the related
field for which they will be training new master instructors, and must meet the
following requirements:
A. Complete at least one four-year period as a credentialed
master instructor in the same subject area; and provide rosters and student
evaluations from at least 10 training classes as the instructor or master
instructor in the same subject area.
B To renew a credential, the applicant shall provide a written explanation
demonstrating how they have maintained current knowledge in law enforcement or public
safety telecommunications during the preceding four years. The explanation
shall include any of the following: actively teaching law enforcement topics or
public safety telecommunicator topics; continued employment or practice in the
field; attending training related to law enforcement or public safety telecommunications;
or engaging in current research related to law enforcement or public safety telecommunications.
C. If specific rosters and course evaluations are not available
for individual classes taught within the basic law enforcement training program
at the academy, a regional satellite academy, or any certification-by-waiver
program, the director or regional satellite academy director responsible for
that academy or certification-by-waiver program may provide a letter attesting
to the instructor’s involvement in teaching the class. In that letter, the
director or regional satellite academy director must cite the specific class
that the instructor taught or helped to teach, the date(s) of the class, and
any positive or negative feedback received from students about that instructor.
D. All senior master instructor
credential applications must be submitted to the academy no less than 30 days
before the anticipated start of a class. Applications may be submitted by
email, by registered mail with a return receipt, or by some other means that
documents when the packet was sent to the academy.
(1) If the academy denies the application,
the academy shall communicate the reason in writing to the individual who submitted the
application.
(2) The academy has 30 days to issue or deny issuance of a
credential.
(3) If the academy has not issued a
credential or provided a written denial within the 30 day period,
the class may still be taught with the instructor's credential being awarded
retroactively to the date of submission, if the class is taught 30 days
or more after the submission date.
(4) If the academy denies a credential
application for a course that has been taught at or beyond the 30-day submission date, the instructor shall
communicate in writing with each of the students that the instructor's
credential has been denied within five business days.
(5) If the academy denies an
instructor credential, and the instructor corrects the identified deficiencies, the credential shall be
awarded retroactively to the date of submission.
E. Any disagreement with an academy
decision regarding an instructor credential may be sent to the chair of the council
as a request for consideration as a meeting agenda item.
[10.28.7.13
NMAC - N, 11/3/2026]
10.28.7.14 REVOCATION
OF INSTRUCTOR CREDENTIAL:
A. The director may revoke or suspend any instructor's
credential on the grounds that the instructor:
(1) failed to meet minimum standards;
(2) lacked the ability to effectively communicate or instruct in
the academy setting; or
(3) had their police officer or public
safety telecommunicator certification suspended or revoked.
B. The satellite academy director or instructor’s
employer may request action on an instructor credential by submitting the
request to the director in writing and including all supporting documentation. The
director may initiate an action for instructors teaching at the academy.
C. The director shall take all necessary steps to review the
matter.
(1) The director has 30 days to make a determination regarding the suspension or revocation
of the credential.
(2) The director shall communicate the decision
in writing to both the requesting agency and the instructor.
D. Any
disagreement with the director’s decision regarding an instructor credential
may be sent to the chair of the council as a request for consideration as a
meeting agenda item.
[10.28.7.14
NMAC - N, 11/3/2026]
10.28.7.15 POLICE OFFICER ADVANCED CERTIFICATION: The academy awards advanced
certification credit for approved training beyond the basic level. An applicant
must submit a completed application packet containing copies of all training
certificates and other supporting documentation. Applications should be
submitted only after the required number of hours has been accrued. Individual
certificates will not be processed unless they are attached to an application
for a specific certification level. Advanced certifications are ranked from
intermediate to executive and are only awarded if the criteria for the previous
level(s) of certification have been met.
A. Advanced
certification criteria and guidelines:
(1) Intermediate (minimum of 200 cumulative hours
required): two years’ experience, non-probationary
status at time of application, and 200 cumulative hours of advanced police
training (beyond basic and maintenance training).
(2) Advanced (minimum of 400 cumulative hours
required): four years’ experience, non-probationary
status at time of application, and 400 cumulative hours of advanced police
training or formal education (beyond basic and maintenance training) approved
by the director.
(3) First-line
supervisor (minimum of
500 cumulative hours required): must have held a rank of corporal or sergeant with one year in rank and completion
of a first-line supervisor course (40 hours minimum).
(4) Command (minimum of 700 cumulative hours
required): must have held the rank of lieutenant
with one year in rank and 100 hours of management training or formal education
approved by the director.
(5) Executive (minimum of 800
cumulative hours required): must have held the rank of chief, assistant chief,
sheriff, undersheriff, director, or deputy director with one year in rank, or
majors and captains who report directly to the department head and have one
year in rank; and 200 cumulative hours of management or administrative training
or formal education approved by the director.
B. Criteria for cumulative credit
calculations:
(1) Certificate
criteria: The academy will accept
certificates of completion for credit toward an advanced certificate.
(2) College course credit: College
courses will receive the credit ratio of 15 advanced certification hours for each credit
hour up to a maximum of 400 advanced hours. College course credits apply only
to advanced-level certification and above. Official copies of college
transcripts are required. Credit hours may be awarded only for college courses
related to law enforcement.
(3) Military
course credit: Military advanced-level
courses related to law enforcement and approved by the director can be used for
credit towards advanced level certification and above at an hourly ratio of
one-to-one. Training hours and dates must be noted on the training certificate
for credit or on an official training transcript.
(4) In-service
training: academy-approved
in-service training will be accepted based upon the approved course hours.
Mandated training required to maintain police officer certification or
instructor credential will not be credited towards advanced certifications.
In-service training will be accepted only upon providing evidence that a test
was administered and passed, or a certificate of completion was issued.
(5) Rank requirements: Certificates at
the first-line supervisor level and above require that the prerequisite rank or
title was held for a minimum period of at least one year prior to the date of
the application. Documentation indicating date(s) of promotion must be included
with the application packet. Non-traditional rank designations will be reviewed
for equivalency to ranks designated for applicable certificates.
(6) Out-of-state certificates: Only
course certificates clearly indicate the hours and dates
of training received will be accepted.
[10.28.7.15
NMAC - N, 11/3/2026]
History of 10.28.7 NMAC:
[RESERVED]