Frequently Asked Questions about Fingerprinting and Endorsements

Q : Why do I need to be fingerprinted?

A : The Nursing Practice Act 61-3-13 and 61-3-18 requires that applicants

for initial licensure or endorsement, at their cost provide the board with

fingerprints and other information necessary for a state and national

criminal background check.

Q : Where do my fingerprints go?

A : Your fingerprints are submitted to the New Mexico Department of Public

Safety for a statewide criminal background check and also to the Federal

Bureau of Investigation for a nationwide criminal background check.

Q : Who can take my fingerprints?

A. Public law enforcement official or other agency staff trained by the

New Mexico Department of Public safety or an equivalent state agency in

another state. In a foreign country, public law enforcement official or

other agency staff who have been trained how to do fingerprinting.

Q. Do I need to send the fingerprints with my application?

A. Yes, the application will not be processed without submission of

fingerprints.

Q. Can I submit one money order for both my application and fingerprints?

A. No, one money order or cashier's check made out to the New Mexico Board

of Nursing is for your application and the other money order or cashier's

check made out to the New Mexico Department of Public Safety is for the

state and nationwide background check.

Q. Where do I get fingerprint cards?

A. You can request them from the board in writing, by phone or e-mail

boardofnursing@state.nm.us . You can also use cards that are issued by the

FBI. They must be lined with blue on the front and have the following on

the back of the card-Federal Bureau of Investigation United States

Department of Justice CJIS Division/ Clarksburg WV 26306. Leave the