Accountancy Requirements and Continuing Education

Requirments for Obtaining New Mexico Licensure

Please visit the Forms and Applications page for more detailed information for each specific license

Education Requirements

The education requirement for licensure is the possession of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and a minimum of 150 semester credit hours; at least 30 hours must be in accounting. Three of the 30 accounting hours may be in business law.  The 30 hours may be included in the baccalaureate program or may be taken outside of the program.

Experience Requirements

At least one year of experience providing service or advice involving the use of accounting, attest, management advisory, financial advisory, tax, or consulting skills is required.  This experience must be verified by a certified public accountant licensed in a U.S. jurisdiction during the period of attestation.

Ethics Examination Requirement

Each applicant must provide proof of passing the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Professional Ethics: The AICPA's Comprehensive Course with a score of 90% or better.  This self-study course must be completed within one year from the date of purchase. Click here to purchase Professional Ethics: The AICPA's Comprehensive Course.

Individuals who completed a state board administered Ethics Exam are not required to complete the ethics course through AICPA unless the administering state is unable to provide verification. This information must be verified through a completed Interstate of Exchange form. If you are unable to obtain verification, then you must re-take the course through AICPA.

Criminal Background Check Requirement

To obtain licensure in New Mexico all applicants are required to complete a state and federal criminal background check through GEMALTO.  Each applicant must register prior to conducting the fingerprint process. You may click here to register for your background check.

PLEASE NOTE: fingerprints are only valid for 30 days after completion. If you complete the process too soon you will be required to repeat the process including repayment of the fee. For more information regarding background checks and your privacy rights please click here.

Application Fee Requirements

There is a fee assoiciated with each licensing and firm application. The Board accepts only check or money order unless renewing a license or firm online. Checks and money orders can be made out to the New Mexico Public Accountancy Board. If renewals are not received or postmarked by the expiration date a late fee will be assessed. Please visit the Fees page for specific application fee amounts.

CPE Requirements

• Completion of 120 CPE hours in a full 36 month reporting cycle

• A minimum of 20 CPE hours completed for each reporting year

• Four (4) ethic hours completed for a full 36 month reporting cycle

• At least 96 of the 120 CPE hours must be technical hours

• At least 24 of the 120 CPE hours cannot be sponsored by your firm or employer.

Tips for reporting your CPE

• Please list the hours in chronological order by completion date

• 50 minutes = 1 CPE hour

• Reporting years are calculated based on birth month

• A reporting year begins with the first day of the month after your birth month and ends with the last day of your birth month

• Specify if a course is technical or non-technical by placing a T for technical or an NT for non-technical.

        Click here to view a CPE requirement guide.

        Click here to download self-populating hours CPE spreadsheet.

Peer Review Requirements (Firm)

Unless in EXEMPT status, established firms that have a completed peer review must submit a copy of the Reviewer’s Report, the Acceptance Letter; and, if applicable, a copy of the Completion Letter from a qualified peer review program. New firms are required to submit a peer review report within 18 months of their first engagement, and must submit a copy of the confirmation letter showing enrollment in an AICPA affiliated peer review program with this application.

Ownership Profile Requirements (Firm)

Each intial/ renewal firm application must include the licensing information and attest experience of all Shareholder(s), Stockholder(s), Proprietor(s), Partner(s) and any other employees holding a CPA license. You may use the space provided on the application or include the information on a separate sheet of paper.

Type of Firm Business Registration Requirement (Firm)

Each firm must provide a current copy of the firms Articles of Organization/Incorporation that is registered with the Secretary of State including business ID number. Not applicable for Sole Proprietorship. If you are renewing your firm and your business type has changed since your last renewal, you are required to submit a current copy of your firms Articles of Organization/Incorporation that is registered with the Secretary of State including business ID number. Not applicable for Sole Proprietorship.