New Mexico Physical Therapist License Renewal

Who This Guide Is For

• New Mexico-licensed physical therapists approaching a February 1 biennial renewal deadline.
• PTs tracking continuing education requirements within the February 1–January 31 biennial CE period.
• Travel PTs who need to maintain a full New Mexico PT license — New Mexico is not currently a PT Compact member state, so compact privileges are not available for New Mexico practice.

Renewal Overview

New Mexico PT licenses expire on February 1 of the renewal year, on a biennial cycle. This is a fixed-date expiration — not tied to a licensee’s birthday or the date of original licensure. The biennial continuing education period runs from February 1 through January 31, aligned exactly with the license cycle, which means CE completed before the period opens does not count toward the current cycle.

The Board mails renewal notices to each licensee at the address on record by December 15. But as the regulation makes explicit, receiving that notice is not a condition of the renewal obligation — licensees who don’t receive it are still responsible for renewing on time and remain subject to the $250 late penalty for renewals postmarked after February 1.

For first-time renewees, New Mexico provides an exemption from the continuing education requirement — no CE hours are required for the initial renewal cycle.

Continuing Education Requirements

Under 16.20.8.9 NMAC, New Mexico requires 30 contact hours of continuing education per biennial period, with the period running February 1 through January 31. One contact hour equals 60 minutes. There are no mandatory topic requirements — the 30 hours can be drawn from any Board-approved CE activity relevant to physical therapy practice.

No CE hours may be carried over into the next biennial period, per 16.20.8.10 NMAC. All 30 hours must be earned within the current two-year cycle.

APTA and New Mexico APTA (NMAPTA) sponsored courses are automatically accepted without requiring separate Board approval, per 16.20.8.12(B)(1) and (7) NMAC. All other course providers must obtain Board or designee approval, though retroactive approval is available for courses already completed.

Specific limits apply by CE activity type under 16.20.8.12 NMAC:

• Management courses: maximum 15 contact hours per biennial period
• Workshop/in-service preparation and presentation: maximum 15 contact hours; credit calculated at three times audience participation hours for the presenter
• Journal article reading: maximum 0.5 contact hour per article; maximum 15 contact hours per biennial period
• Clinical education supervision: 1 contact hour per 40 contact hours of student supervision; maximum 15 contact hours per biennial period
• Specialty examinations (ABPTS and other Board-approved): maximum 30 contact hours per biennial period
• APTA-credentialed residency or fellowship: maximum 30 contact hours per biennial period
• FSBPT continued competence examination: maximum 30 contact hours per biennial period
• Home study courses: maximum 30 contact hours per biennial period
• Internet courses: maximum 30 contact hours per biennial period

Ineligible activities under 16.20.8.12(E) NMAC include CPR education, committee meetings, non-educational association meetings, visiting exhibits, entertainment or recreational activities, and orientation programs dealing with organizational procedures.

CE Audit Process

Under 16.20.8.9(B) NMAC, the Board audits a percentage of renewal applications each year to verify continuing education. If selected for audit, the licensee must submit proof of CE participation — certificates of completion, course schedules, learning objectives, and instructor credentials as required for each activity type. Licensees not selected for audit sign an affidavit attesting to completion of the required hours and must retain all CE documentation for the preceding biennial cycle in case of a future audit.

How to Renew

1. Track your CE period. The biennial CE period runs February 1 through January 31. Hours earned outside this window — either before it opens or after it closes — do not count toward the current cycle.
2. Complete 30 CE hours during the biennial period. Confirm each course is Board-approved or APTA/NMAPTA sponsored. Non-approved courses should be submitted to the Board for retroactive approval before renewal.
3. Watch for your renewal notice. The Board mails notices by December 15. If you don’t receive one by early January, contact the Board — but remember you remain responsible for renewing regardless.
4. Log in to the NM RLD portal at nmrldlpi.my.site.com and complete your renewal application before the February 1 deadline.
5. Pay the $160.00 biennial renewal fee by credit or debit card through the online portal.
6. Sign the CE affidavit attesting to completion of 30 contact hours. If selected for audit, submit CE documentation as directed.

PT Compact — Not Applicable

New Mexico is not currently a member of the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact. HB 82 (PT Compact legislation) was introduced in the New Mexico Legislature in January 2025 but has not been enacted. Compact privileges cannot be issued or accepted in New Mexico until legislation is enacted and implemented. All PTs practicing in the state — including travel PTs — must hold a full New Mexico license and renew it under New Mexico’s biennial February 1 cycle. Travel PTs and staffing agencies should monitor the status of HB 82 and confirm directly with the Board before assuming compact privileges will be available.

Relevant Statutes

• 16.20.8 NMAC — Renewal Requirements and Continuing Education (effective February 24, 2022)
• New Mexico Physical Therapy Board — Fee Schedule (biennial renewal and late penalty fees)
• New Mexico Physical Therapy Board — Licensing, Registration, and Renewal (reinstatement rules; §61-12D-10(L),(M) NMSA 1978)

Related Pages

• New Mexico PT Initial Licensing
• Arizona PT License Renewal
• West Virginia PT License Renewal

Frequently Asked Questions

When does a New Mexico PT license expire?
New Mexico PT licenses expire on February 1, biennially. This is a fixed calendar date — not tied to a licensee’s birthday or original licensure date. The biennial CE period runs February 1 through January 31, aligned with the license cycle. Source: 16.20.8.8(A)(2) NMAC

What does it cost to renew a New Mexico PT license?
The biennial renewal fee is $160.00. A $250.00 late renewal penalty applies for any renewal postmarked after February 1, bringing the total to $410.00 if renewed late. Source: NM PT Board Fee Schedule; 16.20.8.8(D) NMAC

How many CE hours does New Mexico require for PT renewal?
New Mexico requires 30 contact hours of continuing education per biennial period (February 1 through January 31). No CE hours may be carried over to the next period. First-time renewees are exempt from CE for their initial renewal cycle. Source: 16.20.8.9(A) NMAC; 16.20.8.10 NMAC

Does New Mexico require CE in specific topics for PT renewal?
No. New Mexico does not specify mandatory CE topic areas for PT renewal. The 30-hour requirement is flexible in content, provided CE activities are Board-approved or APTA/NMAPTA sponsored. CPR is explicitly ineligible for CE credit. Source: 16.20.8.12 NMAC; 16.20.8.12(E)(7) NMAC

How does New Mexico verify continuing education compliance?
New Mexico uses a random audit system. A percentage of renewal applications are selected each year for CE verification. If audited, the licensee must submit proof of CE participation. Non-audited licensees sign an affidavit attesting to completion of the required hours and must retain CE documentation for the preceding cycle in case of a future audit. Source: 16.20.8.9(B) NMAC

Does New Mexico participate in the PT Compact?
No. As of July 2026, New Mexico is not a PT Compact member state. HB 82 (PT Compact legislation) was introduced in January 2025 but has not been enacted. All PTs practicing in New Mexico must hold and maintain a full New Mexico license — compact privileges are not available. Source: PT Compact member state map — New Mexico listed as Non-Member State

What happens if a New Mexico PT license lapses?
Reinstatement within the lapse period requires the $160 renewal fee plus the $250 late penalty, per §61-12D-10(L) NMSA 1978. Licenses expired more than one year require evidence of 15 CE hours per year expired in addition to the renewal and late fees — applications without those CE hours will be held until provided. Licenses lapsed for more than three years without evidence of continued practice in another state under a valid unrestricted license require full reapplication and payment of fees under current requirements, per §61-12D-10(M) NMSA 1978. Source: NM PT Board Licensing page; §61-12D-10(L),(M) NMSA 1978