Certification by Waiver of Previous Experience Information

The NMLEA Certification by Waiver Course is a two-part application process.

If you are in the background phase of employment with APD and qualify for the certification by waiver course, it is highly recommended that you begin the Part I application process for admission into the NMLEA. Completing this step while you are in the background phase, will help us speed up the academy application process by having it submitted to the academy prior to beginning employment with us.

• Should you become employed with us, we will begin Part II of the application.  
• Certification by waiver requirements are listed below.
• Please click on the banner below for more information on the Certification by Waiver Course.

10.29.6.8. REQUIREMENTS FOR POLICE OFFICERS

A. To be eligible for certification by waiver of basic training, such applicants shall be required to successfully meet all qualifications for police officer admission as set forth in Section 29-7-6 NMSA 1978 (Repl. Pamp. 1997).

B. All applicants must submit a required two-part application packet.

(1) Part I of the packet contains materials documenting employment history, training and certification status, and previous training to be used by the academy board to make a determination of whether the applicant has completed a basic law enforcement training program that is comparable to, or exceeds, the standards of the programs of the academy.

(2) Part II of the packet contains the application for admission and certification; employment verification; completion of a medical and psychological evaluation; criminal history; fingerprint affidavit; waiver of liability; release of information; notarized copy of high school diploma, general education development (GED) certificate, or college diploma; applicant affidavit of United States (U.S.) citizenship or proof of U.S. citizenship; applicant affidavit of proof of current valid driver's license; and a notarized copy of DD214, only applicable if an applicant has military service. Applicants must meet these requirements to be eligible for the certification by waiver program.

C. Once an applicant has successfully met the aforementioned requirements, the applicant shall complete one of the following paths to successfully meet the certification requirements:

(1) The applicant's agency will provide documentation attesting to the applicant's successful completion of 80 hours of accredited training. Upon review and approval of submitted documentation of aforementioned training, the applicant will then be eligible to challenge, and must successfully pass with a minimum score of seventy percent, the law enforcement officer's certification examination (LEOCE).

(2) If the applicant is unable to complete any of 80 hours of accredited training, or did not successfully pass the LEOCE, the applicant will be required to attend 80 hour certification by waiver training program and successfully pass with a minimum score of seventy percent the LEOCE.

D. Applicants will have two opportunities to successfully pass the LEOCE. If an applicant is unable to pass the LEOCE after two attempts he or she will be required to attend and pass the basic police officer training program.

E. For the purposes of certification by waiver of previous training, pursuant to Section 29-7-10 NMSA 1978 (Repl. Pamp. 1997), the academy board has adopted the following formula to be applied to individuals who have not completed a comparable basic training program: applicants will be given credit for previous certified law enforcement experience at the rate of 40 hours per year for each year of service, up to but not to exceed 10 years, for a total of 400 hours, and the applicant will receive credit for advanced training, up to but not to exceed 400 hours. Applicant experience and training must be equivalent to the current minimum standards of training curriculum in effect at the time of application, unless such deficiencies are covered in the certification by waiver program.

(11-25-89, 1-30-93, 10-1-97, 1-1-98, 1-1-99, 6-1-99, 12-31-99; 10.29.6.8 NMAC - Rn, 10 NMAC 29.6.8, 7/1/01; A, 01/01/04; A/E, 8/1/12, Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXVII, Issue 21, November 15, 2016, eff. 11/15/2016)

10.29.6.9. ELIGIBILITY OF OUT-OF-STATE POLICE OFFICER APPLICANTS

A. In the event a certified officer from another state or duly commissioned officer from a federal agency makes application for certification in the state of New Mexico, they must meet all qualifications and requirements as determined by the director.

B. Any applicant who has not been employed as a full-time law enforcement officer for a period in excess of eight years must attend the basic police officer training program to become certified.

C. Any applicant who has successfully completed an accredited law enforcement academy from another state, but has never been certified, must secure a law enforcement position with a recognized New Mexico law enforcement agency within three years of academy completion and must meet all other qualifications and requirements as determined by the director to be eligible for certification by waiver.

(1-30-93, 10-1-97, 12-20-99; 10.29.6.9 NMAC - Rn, 10 NMAC 29.6.9, 7/1/01; A, 01/01/04, Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXVII, Issue 21, November 15, 2016, eff. 11/15/2016)

10.29.6.10. ELIGIBILITY OF RETIREES

In the event a retired certified officer who has appropriately separated from law enforcement service makes application to obtain or regain New Mexico certification by waiver of basic training, such applicants shall satisfy the following requirements.

A. Applicant must have graduated from a certified law enforcement academy that was comparable to or exceeded the standards of the programs of the New Mexico academy.

B. Separation must be under honorable conditions.

C. Complete all other conditions required under the current certification by waiver of basic training, except for the physical fitness and agility requirements.

D. Complete any other requirements imposed on applicant by sponsoring agency.

(10.29.6.10 NMAC - N, 07-01-03; A, 02-28-05; A, 11-30-09; A/E, 8-1-12, Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXVII, Issue 21, November 15, 2016, eff. 11/15/2016)

10.29.6.11. REQUIREMENTS FOR ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY POLICE APPLICANTS

A. Qualifying military police must have successfully completed a basic military police course and completed a four-year enlistment as a military police officer in the U.S. army, U.S. marine corps, U.S. air force, or U.S. navy. Persons serving in the U.S. coast guard and department of defense police do not meet occupational requirements.

B. Individuals meeting the aforementioned qualifications must have successfully completed basic military training from one of the following military police courses for the military branch they served:

(1) U.S. army after 9/1/2003;

(2) U.S. marine corps after 9/1/2003;

(3) U.S. air force after 9/1/2005; or

(4) U.S. navy after 9/1/2005.

C. Military occupational specialties or air force career classifications considered are:

(1) U.S. army 95B, or 31B;

(2) U.S. marine corps 5811;

(3) U.S. air force 3PO51, or 3PO91; or

(4) U.S. navy master at arms, or navy enlisted classification (NEC) 9545 (completed NAVEDTRA 14137).

D. Individuals serving in the armed forces who have completed a basic military police course prior to the above dates, but had continuous military service in an approved military occupation specialty or air force career (MOS/AFC) since completion of the military basic course, along with continuing educational courses may be considered. Applicants meeting this criterion will be required to complete part I and part 2 packets as listed in Section 29-7-6 NMSA 1978, qualifications for certification, listing all schools and training to the New Mexico law enforcement academy (NMLEA) director for consideration.

E. All of the aforementioned military police applicants must attend the 80 hour certification by waiver training course and successfully pass the LEOCE with a score of seventy percent or better.

F. Applicants currently on active duty status must also submit a notarized letter from their current command attesting to their current status, records of any disciplinary actions, and a statement attesting the applicant is eligible for a general/honorable discharge.

G. members who have only served in the national guard or reserves are not eligible for the certification by waiver program.

(10.29.6.11 NMAC - N/E, 8-1-12, Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXVII, Issue 21, November 15, 2016, eff. 11/15/2016)

New Mexico Administrative Code Section 10, Chapter 29, Part 6