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

This is an amendment to 16.28.2 NMAC, Sections 8 & 9 effective 2/10/2026.

16.28.2.8 EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

A. The board shall issue a license as a signed language interpreter to an applicant, otherwise qualified, who furnishes evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant has fulfilled the degree requirements for certification as established RID. Official or unofficial transcripts showing the degree awarded or documentation of educational equivalency approval from RID is acceptable evidence.

B. Applicants for provisional licenses must submit official or unofficial transcripts showing proof of completion of an interpreting education program or an interpreter preparation program from an accredited institution. [If the degree is pending, applicants must also submit.] If the degree is pending, applicants must also submit a letter of completion on letterhead from the director of the interpreting program.

[16.28.2.8 NMAC - N, 07/21/09; A, 12/16/15; A, 3/27/2021; A, 2/27/2022; A, 2/10/2026]

16.28.2.9 CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

A. RID certified interpreters shall proof of current RID certified member status documenting compliance with the requirements of the CMP which requires eight RID-approved continuing education units (CEUs) 80 contact hours per four-year CMP cycle. Should RID change its number of CEUs required an interpreter must comply with the new requirement in order to maintain licensure in New Mexico. BEI certified interpreters shall submit BEI transcripts showing four CEUs (40 hours) of continuing education at each biennial renewal. Educational signed language interpreters meeting the criteria in Subsection D of 16.28.3.11 NMAC but not holding the ED:K-12 credential must submit associate continuing education tracking (ACET) transcripts showing four CEUs (40 hours) of continuing education at each biennial renewal.

B. Provisional license: two CEUs (20 hours) of continuing education annually documented on the applicant’s associate continuing education tracking (ACET) transcript from RID. Interpreting students should be aware that they need to become associate members of RID before the end of March in their year of graduation for [CEU’s] CEUs earned prior to July 1st to be tracked on their ACET transcripts.

C. Provisional licensees who are within their first year may provide certificates of completion to the board office if the approved CEUs are not on ACET transcripts.

[16.28.2.9 NMAC - N, 07/21/2009; A, 08/18/2011; A, 01/15/2014; A, 12/16/2015; A, 6/18/2017; A, 3/27/2021; A, 02/26/2022, A, 7/31/2023; A, 2/10/2026]