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Licensure Background Information

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Background Check Pricing Notice

Fees for background checks will go up from $59.00 to $67.00 on October 1, 2026.

22-10A-5 governs background checks for all licensed school employees, including contracted employees (i.e., instructional support providers).

All personnel required to hold NMPED licensure must have an appropriately cleared background submitted with NMPED’s Service Code 2BH23R and ORI # NM920140Z for TEACHER LICENSURE (regardless of the type of license the applicant is seeking) before entering the virtual and/or in-person classroom.

A SCHOOL EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND REPORT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IN LIEU OF THE REQUIRED TEACHER LICENSURE BACKGROUND.

Employers are responsible for the School Employment background check and payment of fees (except for 3rd party contracted staff, those individuals are responsible for the payment of the background for employment).

Licensure Applicants are responsible for the NMPED Licensure background check fees.

An applicant for initial licensure and a licensee applying to reinstate expired licensure with an expired background must complete a new background, to obtain the applicant’s current Federal Bureau of Investigation record.

Each LICENSURE background report is valid for 24 months and covers only current licenses during that time. Requests for a copy of the NMPED background report can be made by the licensee at any time within the 24-month period.

A new background check must be completed if the background expires before the license is obtained. An applicant must be registered with the online licensure system before a background check for TEACHER LICENSURE can be entered into the system.

Staff members who are required to have an NMPED license may not work in a K–12 setting until the NMPED has approved their background check for licensure.

PED background results are NOT valid for Employment Purposes.

Applications cannot be reviewed for issuing until the background requirement is completed satisfactorily.

In-State Applicants

Beginning October 13, 2025 All applicants will need to register with IdentoGO
  • Click on “Schedule a New Appointment” for a background check.
  • ALL PED Licensure Background registrations require the Service Code 2BH23R and ORI# NM920140Z reason code: Teacher Licensure (regardless of the type of license being applied for).
  • Complete the registration.
  • Once registration is complete, you may take your appointment confirmation email or printout (although not required) with proof of identity to the nearest live scan fingerprint location.
  • Note: IdentoGO has a fee of $59.00 ($67.00 on October 1, 2026) that you must pay when registering at their site

Download printer friendly instructions (In-State Registration)

List of Acceptable Identification

NOTE: When registering with IdentoGO, you must select SERVICE CODE 2BH23R and ORI # NM920140Z reason code: Teacher Licensure (regardless of the type of license you are seeking). Failure to do so will result in a loss of your background check fee and a delay in the processing of your application. Applications will not be processed without a criminal background check done with the correct service code, ORI # and reason code.

Out-Of-State/Out-of-the-Country Applicants

  • Applicants should obtain a set of fingerprints from a local law enforcement agency or any local private fingerprinting agency. These fingerprint cards may be either traditional ink-rolled fingerprints or electronically captured and printed on fingerprint cards.
    • Applicants may be charged an additional fee to have fingerprints taken.
    • Applicants will be required to show identification at the time of fingerprint. Check with the location for their specific identification requirements.
  • Once fingerprints are captured on a fingerprint card (hard card or electronic printed cards), and the individual’s demographic data is filled out completely, follow these steps to pre-enroll:
    1. Go online to the IdentoGO website
    2. Select the option To Mail in your Fingerprint Card (See image)

Note: IdentoGO has a fee of $59.00 ($67.00 on October 1, 2026) that you must pay when registering at their site.

Download Fingerprint Cards

Printer friendly instructions (Out-of-State/Out-of-the-Country Registration)

IdentoGO Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: When registering with IdentoGO, you must select SERVICE CODE 2BH23R and ORI # NM920140Z reason code: Teacher Licensure (regardless of the type of license you are seeking). Failure to do so will result in a loss of your background check fee and a delay in the processing of your application. Applications will not be processed without a background check done with the correct service code, ORI # and reason code.

Background Forms

To request a copy of your background check, please email StephanieJ.Lujan@ped.nm.gov.

NOTE: You must have a cleared background for Teacher Licensure to be eligible for a copy of your background.

NMPED Background does not accept completed backgrounds from other states or agencies.

Licensure Complaint

The NMPED Office of the General Counsel is a team of professionals that will assist in educator license complaints.

Access Complaint Form Here