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EMT in New Mexico

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for NM

Median Salary

$36,850

New Mexico (2024)

National Median

$41,340

All states

License Fees

$169

Exam + application

Time to Complete

3-6 months

From start to licensed

How to Become an EMT in New Mexico

To become a certified EMT in New Mexico, individuals must complete a New Mexico EMS Bureau-approved EMT-Basic training program and hold a high school diploma or GED. Applicants must also pass the NREMT cognitive and psychomotor exams and a state and nationwide criminal background check. The licensing body is the New Mexico Department of Health, EMS Bureau, and the minimum age for EMT-Basic licensure is 17 with parental consent if under 18.

EMT Requirements in New Mexico

Detail	New Mexico
Licensing Body	New Mexico Department of Health, EMS Bureau
State License Required	Yes
Education	Completion of a New Mexico EMS Bureau-approved EMT-Basic training program (minimum 160 hours) and a High School Diploma/GED. Current CPR/BLS for Healthcare Providers certification is also required.
Exam	NREMT Cognitive and Psychomotor Exams ($104)
Application Fee	$65
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing Education	40.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Must be at least 17 years old (with parental consent if under 18). Requires a state and nationwide criminal background check, including fingerprinting. All applications are online-only. New Mexico does not require you to maintain NREMT certification for state license renewal, but it is recommended to check NREMT requirements if you wish to maintain that certification.

Source: New Mexico Department of Health, EMS Bureau

License Tiers

New Mexico offers multiple tiers of emt licensing:

Tier	Hours Required
EMR	N/A
EMT-Basic	N/A
EMT-Intermediate	N/A
Paramedic	N/A

EMT Salary in New Mexico

The median emt salary in New Mexico is $36,850 per year, which is 10.9% below the national median of $41,340.

Percentile	Annual Salary
10th (entry level)	$30,870
25th	$34,610
50th (median)	$36,850
75th	$44,710
90th (experienced)	$50,700

New Mexico employs approximately 1,400 emts.

EMT Job Outlook

10-Year Growth

+5.1%

Faster than average

Annual Openings

14.1

Nationwide per year

Total Employment

181

Nationwide

Is Becoming an EMT in New Mexico Worth It?

Factors to consider: New Mexico's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, and your personal career goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's required to work as an emt in New Mexico?

New Mexico requires emts to complete the required education (Completion of a New Mexico EMS Bureau-approved EMT-Basic training program (minimum 160 hours) and a High School Diploma/GED. Current CPR/BLS for Healthcare Providers certification is also required.), pass the NREMT Cognitive and Psychomotor Exams, and submit your application ($65 fee).

Is an emt license required in New Mexico?

Yes, New Mexico requires a state license to practice as an emt. The licensing body is New Mexico Department of Health, EMS Bureau. You must pass the NREMT Cognitive and Psychomotor Exams.

How much do emts make in New Mexico?

The median emt salary in New Mexico is $36,850 per year. — 11% under the $41,340 national average. New emts start around $30,870; seasoned professionals can reach $50,700.

How expensive is emt licensing in New Mexico?

The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($104) and application fee ($65) and required training.

How quickly can I become an emt in New Mexico?

Most candidates in New Mexico complete the process in 3-6 months, from enrollment in a training program through licensure.

What are the continuing education requirements for emts in New Mexico?

Yes — emts in New Mexico must complete 40.0 CE hours every 2.0 years to stay licensed.