New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 6 - PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
Chapter 60 - SCHOOL PERSONNEL - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Part 8 - BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR EDUCATOR LICENSURE
Section 6.60.8.8 - REQUIREMENTS

A. An applicant for initial educator licensure shall be fingerprinted using fingerprint cards supplied by the PED or the equivalent electronic fingerprints. The applicant will submit the two completed fingerprint cards or equivalent electronic fingerprints to the PED either prior to or with the initial application for educator licensure. A criminal history background record issued by either the DPS or the FBI shall be valid and may be disseminated by the PED pursuant to FBI and DPS guidelines for twenty-four months from the date of issuance entered on the criminal history background record.

B. The PED shall not disseminate a DPS or FBI criminal history background record more than twenty-four months from the date of issuance, regardless of when an applicant for initial employment already possessing current New Mexico educator licensure is offered employment or commences employment duties for any new employer.

C. The applicant shall pay by certified check, money order, or credit card, if authorized by the PED, a background check fee in an amount established by that agency sufficient to cover the agency's actual costs of obtaining criminal history background reports from the DPS and the FBI.