Since January 1, 2026, New Mexico has licensed through three routes instead of the old 150-hour rule. You can earn a bachelor's plus 30 more semester hours in accounting or business and work one year. You can earn a bachelor's with an accounting or business concentration and work two years.
Or you can earn a master's with that concentration and work one year. You'll also score 90 or higher on the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ethics exam. If you're finishing a bachelor's, ask the New Mexico Public Accountancy Board whether your concentration counts.
How to Get a CPA License in New Mexico
Every route also asks you to pass the Uniform CPA Exam. Here's how the education and experience fit together in New Mexico.
| Route | Education | Experience | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's plus 30 hours | A bachelor's degree plus 30 additional semester hours in accounting or business. | 1 year of accounting experience. | In effect since January 1, 2026 |
| Bachelor's plus 2 years | A bachelor's degree with a concentration in accounting or business. | 2 years of accounting experience. | In effect since January 1, 2026 |
| Graduate degree plus 1 year | A master's degree with a concentration in accounting or business. | 1 year of accounting experience. | In effect since January 1, 2026 |
Education to Sit for the CPA Exam in New Mexico
State law lists the same three education routes for the exam as for the certificate.
Coursework: 30 additional semester hours in accounting or business.
Ethics Exam
You score 90 or higher on the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ethics exam.
What Changed Recently
HB 296 (2025) took effect January 1, 2026. It also extended the exam credit window from 18 to 30 months.
What Accountants Earn in New Mexico
Accountants and auditors in New Mexico earned a median of $78,580 a year in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $63,290 and $99,090. About 6,300 people held these jobs in the state.
Accounting Programs in New Mexico
None of the programs on our main rankings are based in New Mexico. You can still study online with a school in another state. Before you enroll, check that its accounting and business courses match what the board asks for. Our best online accounting degrees are a good place to start.
CPA Requirements in Nearby States
Thinking about working across a state line, or studying in one state and licensing in another? Each state sets its own rules, so here's where the states near New Mexico stand on the bachelor's-plus-experience route.
- Arizona CPA requirements: bachelor's route starts January 1, 2027
- Colorado CPA requirements: bachelor's route starts January 1, 2027
- Oklahoma CPA requirements: bachelor's route starts November 1, 2026
- Texas CPA requirements: bachelor's route in effect since August 1, 2026
- Utah CPA requirements: bachelor's route in effect since July 1, 2026
Check With the New Mexico Public Accountancy Board
The board sets the rules and decides your application. We checked these requirements against official sources on October 12, 2026. Rules change, so confirm the details on the board's site before you apply.